The Effect of Commercial Organic Fertilizers on the Growth Rate of Stawberries

For many years I have been interested in the growth and development of plants. I have wanted to find a profession in Horticulture, but in my position, finding a job in the branch of my interest has been proving it self to be difficult. After narrowing down and researching my interests, I decided to request 12 species of strawberries from the USDA Agricultural Research Service to research the effect of well-known organic, non synthetic, fertilizers upon the growth and bearing rate of the plants.
My research topic has been approved and my order is to be filled in August.

My request goes as follows:

"Research entails growing these specimens under different conditions using name brand fertilizers to find the most successful method and noting growth rate. Results will be posted on Permies.com."

Their response was:

"Dear Amber
We have received your order for strawberries.
Available runners will be shipped in August. Your order is pending.
Best regards."


When doing legitimate research, it is not impossible to obtain seeds, tubers, bulbs, runners, etc. from the USDA.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
Amber.

Welcome to Permies, Amber!

Yes, doing research requires patience -- lots of it.

Thank you for the warm welcome!
I'm sure it is a lot of work. This is my first major research project I'm doing on my own.
I'm currently making preparations for when the runners come in the mail in August.
I viewed your profile and saw that you are a retired Research Scientist.
If you could give me tips and tools to use for when I finally begin my research, It would be greatly appreciated.

Ask away. I have two kinds of strawberry growing at my place, regular domesticated berries that bear in the spring, and then wild strawberry that flower and bear all months except the coldest of winter. I don't do any experiments with them, but the wild strawberry doesn't seem to need much in the way of fertilizer to propagate faster than I can pull it out.