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STRAWBERRY CULTIVARS FOR NEW ENGLAND 



David T. Handley 



Extension Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist 



University of Maine 



The selection of strawberry cultivars available to small fruit growers 

 has been greatly increased in recent years by introductions from both new 

 and established breeding programs. Although many of these entries have 

 characteristics desirable to growers, such as large, glossy fruit and high 

 yields, further considerations are necessary prior to placing an order. 

 Ripening season is one such factor. Early berries tend to bring the highest 

 price, but the plants are also more susceptible to frost damage and may not 

 have good yields or fruit quality. Midseason berries supply the bulk of the 

 market, but there is a great deal of variation in quality and growth habit 

 among these cultivars. Late season fruit can be of high quality but tend to 

 meet a slow market. 



Disease resistance should always be a primary consideration in cultivar 

 selection. In New England, red stele ( Phytophthora f ragar iae ) , a root rot 

 fungus, is prevalent in many soils, especially the heavier types. Plant 

 resistance is the only means available to combat this disease. Cultivars 

 resistant to red stele should therefore have priority when ordering straw- 

 berry plants. Planting exclusively non-resistant cultivars could result in 

 total crop failure, especially during a wet year. 



The cultivars described below are considered acceptable for production 

 in New England. Individual cultivars may perform differently according to 

 soil type, fertilization, or renovation practices. Always have several 

 cultivars to stretch out the season and insure against serious disease and 

 frost problems. Evaluate the performance of new cultivars in small test 

 plantings prior to placing large orders. Do no forget your customers along 

 the way. A certain berry may seem to have everything going for it, but if 

 the customers do not like it, it will not bring profits. 



Strawberry Cultivar Notes 



Early Season 



EARLIGLOW: An early berry of high quality. Fruit are firm with excellent 

 flavor and color. Yields may be low in the Northeast. Fruit size tends to 

 decrease as the season progresses. Plants are vigorous runner producers and 

 resistant to red stele and Vert ic i 1 1 ium wilt. 



VEESTAR: A popular Canadian introduction. Plants are very productive, and 

 fruit have good flavor but tend to be soft. Plants are vigorous, but have 

 no known resistance to red stele or Vert ic i 1 1 ium. 



SUNRISE: Fruit are large, red-orange and tend to be soft. Plants are 

 vigorous and yield well, with some resistance to red stele and Vert ic i 1 1 ium. 



REDCOAT: Very popular Canadian cultivar. Large, attractive fruit are 

 somewhat soft and difficult to "hull." Plants are quite vigorous but 

 susceptible to red stele and Vert ici 1 1 ium. 



