Flame

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Seascape'

Summary: The plants of 'Flame' have many stolons whereas those of 'Seascape' have few stolons. The stolons of 'Flame' have a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration and sparse pubescense whereas those of 'Seascape' have absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration and medium density pubescence. The leaf of 'Flame' is large whereas that of 'Seascape' is medium sized. The inflorescence of 'Flame' is positioned at the same level as the foliage whereas the inflorescence of 'Seascape' is positioned beneath the foliage. 'Flame' has a medium number of flowers whereas 'Seascape' has many flowers. There is a slight difference in shape between the terminal fruit and the other fruit of 'Flame' whereas the terminal fruit is moderately different from the other fruit of 'Seascape'. The fruit surface of 'Flame' is dark red whereas it is medium red for 'Seascape'. The calyx attachment for 'Flame' is raised whereas it is inserted for 'Seascape'. The calyx diameter is slightly larger than the fruit of 'Flame' whereas the calyx is slightly smaller than the fruit of 'Seascape'.

Description:

PLANT: fully remontant bearing type, upright growth habit, medium to dense foliage, medium to strong vigour

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

LEAF: large, dark green on upper side, medium degree of blistering, strong glossiness, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: length equal to width, acute base, crenate margin, concave in cross-section
PETIOLE: short, upwards attitude of hairs
STIPULE: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

FLOWERING: begins mid-season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned at same level as foliage, medium number of flowers
PEDICEL: horizontal attitude of hairs
FLOWER: calyx smaller than corolla, touching petal arrangement, stamens present
PETAL: length equal to width, white inner side

CALYX: raised attachment, outwards attitude of sepals, diameter slightly larger than fruit, medium to strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT: begins ripening mid-season, length is equal to width, medium size, rhomboid, slight difference in shape between terminal fruit and other fruit, narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SURFACE: dark red, medium degree of glossiness, slightly uneven colour, slightly uneven, achenes positioned below surface
FRUIT FLESH: medium firmness, light red, white core, absent or small cavity

Origin & Breeding History: 'Flame' originated from a cross made in April 2010 at Sweet Darling Sales, Inc. in Watsonville, California, USA. The cross was conducted between the proprietary, unreleased varieties '102850' (female parent) and '106734' (male parent). 'Flame' was selected on May 27, 2011 based on the quality and quantity of inflorescence and fruit. Since its selection, asexually reproduced stolons have been tested in California at low and high elevations.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Flame' was conducted during the summer of 2019 in Lavaltrie, Quebec. A minimum of 20 bareroot plants per variety were planted in double row raised beds in late April 2019. The raised beds were approximately 25 cm high by 32 cm wide, spaced 1.5 metres apart, and covered with white plastic. The plants were spaced 30 cm apart in a staggered pattern. There were 2 replicates. Measured characteristics were taken from 15 plants, or parts of plants.

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Strawberry: 'Flame'

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Strawberry: Reference variety 'Seascape'