Palomar

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Puget Reliance' and 'Stolo'

Summary: 'Palomar' differs from the reference varieties, 'Puget Reliance' and 'Stolo' mainly in plant density of foliage, plant vigour, leaf blistering, postition of the inflorescence in relation to the foliage, flower size, fruit shape and harvest maturity. The plants of 'Palomar' have sparse density of foliage whereas the plants of 'Puget Reliance' have medium to dense and 'Stolo' has medium density of foliage. The plants of 'Palomar' have weak vigour whereas those of 'Puget Reliance' have strong vigour and those of 'Stolo' have medium to strong vigour. The leaves of 'Palomar' have strong blistering whereas those of 'Puget Reliance' and 'Stolo' have medium and weak blistering respectively. The inflorescence of 'Palomar' is positioned above the foliage whereas it is positioned level with the foliage of 'Puget Reliance'. The flowers of 'Palomar' are large whereas those of 'Puget Reliance' are medium sized and those of 'Stolo' are small to medium-sized. The fruit shape of 'Palomar' is ovoid whereas it is cordate in 'Puget Reliance' and cylindrical in 'Stolo'. Harvest maturity of 'Palomar' is early whereas it is very early in 'Puget Reliance' and early to late in 'Stolo'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, sparse density of foliage, weak vigour, not remontant

STOLON: medium number, very weak anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

LEAF: medium size, dark green on upper side, strong blistering, strong glossiness, variegation absent
TERMINAL LEAFLET: equal length in relation to width, obtuse base, crenate margin, convex in cross section
PETIOLE: short to medium length, upwards attitude of hairs
STIPULE: weak anthocyanin colouration

FLOWERING: very early
INFLORESCENCE: positioned above foliage, few to medium number of flowers
PEDICEL: upwards attitude of hairs
FLOWER: large, calyx diameter smaller than corolla, stamens present
PETALS: free arrangement, equal in length to width, white

FRUIT: moderately longer than wide, large, ovoid, slight difference in shape between primary and secondary fruit, medium width of band without achenes
FRUIT SURFACE: orange red, strongly uneven colour, medium to strong glossiness, slight unevenness of surface
ACHENES: insertion below surface of fruit
CALYX: positioned raised above level of fruit, downwards attitude of sepals, slightly smaller diameter than fruit diameter, medium to strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT FLESH: firm to very firm, light red, white core, large cavity
FRUIT HARVEST: early

Origin & Breeding History: 'Palomar' arose as the result of a cross between the varieties, 'Camino Real' and 'Ventana' conducted in 2000. 'Palomar' first fruited in 2001 at the University of California Wolfskill Experimental Orchard, near Winters, California. It was selected, originally designated Cal 0.259-2 and was asexually propagated by runners. Following selection and throughout testing, the variety was designated 'C221'. Selection criteria for 'Palomar' was fruit quality.

Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'Palomar' were conducted at Krause Berry Farm in Aldergrove, British Columbia during the summers of 2007 and 2008. The trials consisted of four matted rows measuring approximately 3 metres in length, spaced 1.07 metres apart. Initially, 40 plants/variety were planted in single rows spaced 30 cm apart. Runners were directed in to form matted rows.

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Strawberry: 'Palomar' with reference varieties 'Puget Reliance' (left) and 'Stolo' (right)