Cupcake

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Seascape'

Summary: The growth habit of 'Cupcake' is upright whereas it is semi-upright for 'Seascape'. The plants of 'Cupcake' have a medium to dense foliage whereas those of 'Seascape' have a sparse foliage. The plants of 'Cupcake' have many stolons whereas those of 'Seascape' have few stolons. The stolons on 'Cupcake' have a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration and a dense pubescence whereas the stolons on 'Seascape' have a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration and a sparse pubescence. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the stipules of 'Cupcake' is absent or weak whereas it is medium for 'Seascape'. The inflorescence of 'Cupcake' is positioned level with the foliage whereas it is positioned beneath the foliage in 'Seascape'. The flower petals of 'Cupcake' are overlapping whereas they are free on 'Seascape'. The fruit of 'Cupcake' has a conical shape and is large whereas it has a cordate shape and is medium sized for 'Seascape'. The difference in shape between the terminal and other fruits is large in 'Cupcake' whereas it is none or very slight in 'Seascape'. The calyx adherence of 'Cupcake' is strong whereas it is weak for 'Seascape'. Excluding the core, the fruit flesh of 'Cupcake' is light pink whereas it is medium red on 'Seascape'. The fruit core of 'Cupcake' is white whereas it is light red for 'Seascape'. The fruit cavity of 'Cupcake' is absent or small whereas it is large in 'Seascape'. 'Cupcake' begins flowering and fruiting mid-season whereas 'Seascape' begins early in the season.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium to dense foliage, strong vigour, fully everbearing

STOLONS: many, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

LEAF: small, dark green on upper side, medium blistering, medium glossiness, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: moderately longer length than width, acute base, dentate to crenate margin, concave shape in cross-section
PETIOLE: medium length, hairs pointing upwards
STIPULE: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FLOWERING: mid-season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned level with foliage, medium to many flowers, slightly outwards attitude of hairs on pedicel
FLOWER: calyx diameter same size as corolla, stamens present
PETALS: overlapping, moderately shorter in length than width, white on upper side

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FRUIT RIPENING: mid-season
FRUIT: moderately shorter in length than width, large, conical, large difference in shape between terminal and other fruits, narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SKIN: medium red, strong glossiness, even or very slightly uneven colour, even or very slightly uneven surface
ACHENES: inserted level with fruit surface
CALYX: insertion set above surface of fruit, upwards attitude of sepals, slightly smaller in diameter than diameter of fruit, strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT FLESH: firm, light red, white core, absent or small fruit cavity

Origin & Breeding History: 'Cupcake' (experimental designation '107615') originated from a cross made in February 2007 between the unreleased cultivars '102213' (female parent) and '1581' (male parent). 'Cupcake' was first fruited in 2008 at an experimental orchard in Watsonville, California, USA, where it was selected and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing, the variety was designated '107615' and was subsequently named 'Cupcake'. Selection criteria included yield, long shelf life and appearance of the fruit, fruit size calibre, flavour and early harvest season.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Cupcake' was conducted during the summer of 2016 in Lavaltrie, Quebec. A minimum of twenty bareroot plants per variety were planted in double row raised beds in late April 2016. The raised beds were approximately 25 cm high and 32 cm wide and covered with white plastic. The plants were spaced 30.5 cm from each other in a staggered pattern and the rows were spaced 1.63 metres apart. There were 2 replicates. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements.

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Strawberry: 'Cupcake'

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Strawberry: Reference variety 'Seascape'