<i>Fragaria </i>plant named ‘JFK44’

Abstract

A new and distinct June bearing cultivar of Fragaria plant named JFK44 that is characterized by its s semi-upright growth habit, its conical shaped berries that are uniformly very large in size, its well-presented fruit on long, thick trusses, its fruits that are highly glossy and deep red in color with color retained throughout production, its vigorous growth habit with substantial fruit yields of marketable quality, and its fruit that is are produced in early-mid season.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Fragaria plant named JFK44 as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar. The photographs were taken of JFK44 plants as grown in trays under polythene tunnels in substrate in Faversham, Kent, United Kingdom. The photographs were taken 3 months after planting in January from tips taken in June the year before and grown in a container until December and overwintered at 2 C.

(2) The photograph in FIG. 1 provides a side view of JFK44 with fruit.

(3) The photograph in FIG. 2 provides a close-up of the fruit of JFK44.

(4) FIG. 3 provides a close-up view of the flowers of JFK44.

(5) The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with digital photography techniques available, the color values cited in the detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of the Fragaria.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(6) The following is a detailed description of fruiting plants of JFK44 as grown in trays under polythene tunnels in substrate in Faversham, Kent, United Kingdom. The description were taken 3 months after planting in January from tips taken in June the year before and grown in a container until December and overwintered at 2 C. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, as it has not been tested under all possible environmental conditions. The color determination is in accordance with The 2015 Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. General description: Blooming period.April in Faversham, Kent, United Kingdom. Plant type.Herbaceous fruit producing perennial. Plant habit.Semi-upright, vigorous with a dense canopy. Height and spread.Large: reaches an average of 40.9 cm in height and 6.3 cm in width (at the base). Cold hardiness.Not tested in areas where temperatures as low as 32 F. occur. Diseases.A slight susceptibility to Podosphaera leucotricha (powdery mildew) has been observed. Root description.Fibrous, white in color. Root development.An average of 2 weeks to initiate roots and 5 weeks to produce a young rooted plant. Propagation.Rooting of stolons and tissue culture. Growth rate.Vigorous. Stem description.Acaulescent. Stolon description.Produced throughout the cropping season; surface pubescence is sparse and anthocyanin coloration is medium. Foliage description: Leaf division.Trifoliate. Leaf arrangement.Basal. Leaf attachment.Petiolate. Leaflet shape.Ovate, longer than wide. Mid-tier leaflet size.Average of 11.5 cm in length and 10.5 cm in width. Leaflet margins.Serrate to crenate, an average of 21.4 serrations per leaf. Leaflet base.Acute. Leaflet apex.Round. Leaflet glossiness.Upper surface medium, lower surface absent. Leaflet aspect.Most leaflets are concave and overlapping. Leaflet interveinal blistering.Moderate. Leaflet venation.Pinnate, coloration matches leaflet color. Leaflet surface.Upper surface mostly glabrous, lower surface slightly pubescent, particularly along the vein, with moderate blistering depending on leaf age. Leaflet color.Upper surface 137A, lower surface 138B, no variegation present on either surface. Petiole.Round in shape, average of 17.7 cm in length and 3.6 mm in width, 144C in color, moderate to pubescent surface with hairs horizontal in their attitude. Petiolules.Round in shape, average of 1.5 cm in length and 3.4 cm in width, moderately pubescent surface, 144C in color. Stipule.Average of 2.5 cm in length, moderate anthocyanin 67C in color. Flower description: Inflorescence.Truss. Inflorescence size.Long in length, average of 36.9 cm and 5.9 mm in width. Average of 22.1 cm in long before branching. Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).Early, April. Flower position relative to foliage.Mostly level with foliage. Flower size.Average corolla diameter of 3.8 cm. Flower number per truss.Average of 6. Calyx.Average of 2.9 cm in diameter, smaller than the corolla, mostly upwards, re-curved relative to fruit. Sepals.Average number of 11.2 per flower, oblong to oblanceolate in shape, 138B in color on upper surface, N138B in color on lower surface, obtuse base, acute apex, entire margin, almost no pubescence on upper surface and light pubescence on lower surface. Sepal position.Mixed arrangement relative to the fruit, most horizontal to recurving with fruit shoulder, however not touching the fruit. Petals.Average of 5.4 in number with an average of 1.23 cm in length and 1.42 cm in width: a length to width ratio averaging 0.86, rounded in shape, obtuse base and apex, each arranged touching or overlapping, entire margins, upper and lower surface glabrous and N155B in color. Peduncle.Low density of pubescence on surface, upward attitude of hairs, strong in strength. Pedicel.Low density of pubescence on surface, upward attitude of hairs, strong in strength. Reproductive organs: Gynoecium.Average of 9.4 mm in width, steeply dome shaped, multiple simple pistils present with capitate shaped stigma. Androecium.Stamens; average of 30, average of 4 mm in length, shape is a cone-like tube and wider at the base, anther; 17B in color, oval in shape, average of 2.5 mm in length, pollen; moderate in quantity and 20B in color. Fruit description: Shape.Predominantly conical, shape is similar for primary, secondary and tertiary fruit. Season of harvest.Early-June through Mid-July in Faversham, Kent, United Kingdom. Time of ripening (50% of plants with first ripe fruit).Early. Type of bearing.June Bearing. Size.Large; an average of 4.9 cm in length and 4.2 cm in width. Surface.Smooth and highly glossy. Calyx position.Mostly level with fruit and mostly re-curved. Attitude of calyx segments.Mostly upwards recurved, very few touching the fruit shoulder with strong adherence to the fruit. Diameter of calyx relative to fruit diameter.Size is similar to fruit diameter in majority of fruit. Glossiness.Even and high. External color (skin).N45B, color is retained throughout the cropping season. Internal color (flesh).Near skin; 44A, near center; 31C. Evenness of color of skin.Very even. Evenness of color of flesh.Paler near center. Acidity.Low, average 0.49% total titratable acid over three seasons in trials. Sweetness.Medium. Soluble solids.Average of 8.0 over three seasons in trials. Firmness.Skin is moderately firm (resistant to bruising), flesh is moderately firm. Juiciness.High. Aroma.Slight. Weight.Average of 33.9 g per berry and 790 g per plant from early-June through Mid-July over three seasons in trials. Number of fruit per plant.Average of 25 from early-June through Mid-July to mid-July over three seasons in trials. Hollow center.Medium sized cavity observed on some fruit, more so on primaries. Shelf life.Good. Achene color.Majority 1B. Achene position.Mostly level with surface. Achene number.An average of 261 per berry. Band without achenes.Absent or very narrow.