Vaulter

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Albion'

Summary: The plants of 'Vaulter' have an upright growth habit whereas the plants of 'Albion' have a spreading growth habit. The plants of 'Vaulter' have few stolons whereas those of 'Albion' have a medium number of stolons. The stolons for 'Vaulter' have a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas those for 'Albion' have absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration. The leaf of 'Vaulter' is medium sized whereas that of 'Albion' is large. The upper side of the leaf of 'Vaulter' is medium green whereas it is dark green on 'Albion'. The base of the terminal leaflet is rounded for 'Vaulter' whereas it is acute for 'Albion'. The inflorescence of 'Vaulter' is positioned above the foliage whereas the inflorescence of 'Albion' is positioned beneath the foliage. 'Vaulter' has medium sized fruit whereas 'Albion' has large fruit. Excluding the core, the fruit flesh of 'Vaulter' is orange red whereas that of 'Albion' is light red. The core of the fruit of 'Vaulter' is white whereas that of 'Albion' is light red.

Description:

PLANT: fully remontant bearing type, upright growth habit, sparse to medium foliage, weak to medium vigour

STOLONS: few, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

LEAF: medium size, medium green on upper side, strong blistering, medium degree of glossiness, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: moderately longer than wide, rounded base, serrate to crenate margin, concave in cross-section
PETIOLE: medium length, upwards attitude of hairs
STIPULE: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

FLOWERING: begins early season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned above foliage, medium number of flowers
PEDICEL: horizontal attitude of hairs
FLOWER: calyx larger than corolla, touching petal arrangement, stamens present
PETAL: length equal to width, white inner side

CALYX: inserted attachment, outwards attitude of sepals, diameter slightly larger than fruit, strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT: begins ripening early season, moderately longer than wide, medium size, long conic, none or very slight difference in shape between terminal fruit and other fruit, absent or very narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SURFACE: orange red, strong glossiness, even or very slightly uneven colour, even or very slightly uneven surface, achenes positioned below surface
FRUIT FLESH: firm, orange red, white core, absent or small cavity

Origin & Breeding History: 'Vaulter' originated from a cross made on April 26, 2013 at Sweet Darling Sales, Inc. in Watsonville, California, USA. The cross was conducted between the proprietary, unreleased variety '108171' (female parent) and the variety 'Flame' (male parent). 'Vaulter' was selected on May 12, 2014 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 'Vaulter' 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: 'Vaulter'

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Strawberry: Reference variety 'Albion'