Orléans

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Kent' and 'L'Acadie'

Summary: 'Orléans' is a strawberry variety with more dense and upright growth habit and produces more stolons than the reference varieties. The upper side of the leaves of 'Orléans' are lighter green than those of the reference varieties. 'Orléans' produces smaller flowers with petals that are as long as broad while those of the reference varieties have petals that are more broad than long. The calyx for 'Orléans' is the same size as the fruit diameter while for the reference varieties the calyx is smaller than the fruit diameter. 'Orléans' produces fruit with weak acidity while the fruit of the reference varieties have moderate acidity. 'Orléans' is resistant to leaf spot disease (Mycosphaerella fragariae (Tul.) Lindau) while 'Kent' is highly susceptible and 'L'Acadie' is moderately resistant. 'Orléans' is moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to leaf scorch disease (Diplocarpon earlina Ell. & Ev.) while 'Kent' is highly susceptible.

Description:

'Orléans' is a non-ever bearing strawberry variety with mid-season flowering and mid-season harvest maturity. Plants are upright in habit, dense and have moderate vigour. They also have a high tolerance to low temperatures. The leaves are light to medium green on the upper side with a slightly concave profile and weak blistering between the veins. There are three leaflets present. The terminal leaflet has a flat to cupped profile and is slightly longer than it is broad. The terminal leaflet has a pointed shaped base and the margin teeth are acute to obtuse in shape. The petiole has moderate pubescence with the hairs positioned upwards to outwards. 'Orléans' produces many stolons which have moderate to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The stolons are medium thick with moderate to dense pubescence.

The small flowers are positioned beneath and level with the foliage. The calyx is larger, in diameter, than the corolla and the inner calyx is slightly larger than the outer calyx. The flower petals are touching to overlapping. The petal length/width ratio is as long as it is broad.

The fruiting truss is semi-erect and short to medium in length. The medium to large sized fruit produced by 'Orléans' is slightly longer than it is broad. The fruit is conical in shape and the differences between the shape of the primary and secondary fruits is absent to very slight. The band without achenes on the fruit is narrow and the unevenness of the fruit surface is weak. The fruit of 'Orléans' has slightly uneven, light red skin colour and strong glossiness. The achenes are inserted below the fruit surface. The calyx is set level with the fruit and the calyx segments are mostly reflexed. The calyx is the same size as the fruit in diameter and adheres strongly to the fruit. The fruit flesh is firm and an even, orange to medium red in colour. The fruit has medium to strong sweetness, weak acidity and a fine texture.

'Orléans' is resistant to leaf spot (Mycosphaerella fragariae (Tul.) Lindau) and moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to leaf scorch (Diplocarpon earlina Ell. & Ev.).

Origin & Breeding History: 'Orléans' (experimental number FIO9623-55) originated from a controlled cross between varieties 'L'Acadie' and 'Joliette'. The cross took place in 1996 at the Horticultural Research and Development Centre of the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada research station in L'Acadie, Quebec. 'Orléans' has been tested at this same location since 1996. It was one of five original selections which was re-selected for its good shelf life, high yields and firm, large fruit. This final selection by Les Fraises de l'Île d'Orléans Inc. in St-Laurent, Île d'Orléans, Québec, Canada was done in 1999. It has also been evaluated by partners in Europe and the United States from 1999 to 2001.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Orléans' were conducted in matted rows at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada experimental farm in St-Laurent, l'Île d'Orléans, Quebec in 1999 and 2000. The trials consisted of four plots spaced 1 metre apart. There were four replicates per variety with each replicate consisting of ten plants spaced 0.6 metres apart in rows that were 6 metres long.