I have got my strawberry patch and it is providing me with lots of strawberries. I am a very happy bunny.
However I want to start extending the growing season next year. Can any one recommend a good late fruiting strawberry variety?
thanks in advance
CJB
I have just received Dobies new catalogue. Dobies have a new variety called MALLING OPAL. 12 plants at £12.95. Claiming to produce 2-3lb of fruit per week from just 10 plants from June right through to October. AROMEL is their other variety producing similar quantities.
They also do a very early variety called CHRISTINE, harvesting from mid May to mid July.
Imagine harvesting strawberries May to October, the whole 6 months instead of 6 weeks ;) ;)
thank you. That really helps.
I will go and look at their website. Those varieties might have potential.
I am imagining eating strawberries for 6months and frankly it is so appealing.
I had found a variety called JUDIBELL with welshfruitstocks, I will keep researching before making a purchase though.
I've got Malling Opal.....it's just in this year and I wasn't expecting much as it is it's first year but it's had quite a bit of fruit. the first pick wasn't great in flavour but after that the flavour improved a lot. It looks as though it has stopped fruiting at the moment.....I'll see if it continues.
My opal produced until October last year, but the last few weren't very sweet. This year, some of them have been the size of apples and very tasty. When I got them, it was recommended to take off the early flowers, so there would be more fruit later in the year. So did that last year, and no more flowers appeared for ages, but had fruit fairly steadily frm August on.
Didn't get around to removing the flowers this time. First flush of fruit is finished and more flowers are beginning to appear. Be interesting to see if it produces as well for the rest of the year.
Sally
thanks Guys. I wasn't sure about a perpetual strawberries but your positive reports might sway me in to buying some.
producing strawberries in to October would be great to say the least.
Chris Bowers have a special off on - but they don't guarantee a particular variety, just a rane. Here's the advert:
"From: Chris Bowers and Sons [mailto:chrisbowersandsons@btopenworld.com]
Sent: 20 June 2009 18:25
Subject: Fruit Plant order
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your previous custom and interest in our world famous fruiting plants and trees.
This is just to keep you informed about our superb new batch of
POT GROWN STRAWBERRY PLANTS
Which are now ready for immediate despatch.
LUSCIOUS FRESH STRAWBERRIES IN JUST A FEW WEEKS
Our special large pot grown plants are supplied with bud/flower and, whilst we can't quite promise that you will have strawberries for Wimbledon, they certainly won't be long after!
Our 30 year expertise and experience has resulted in our insistence on growing these plants in special Fertil Pots. The principle of this is that the roots grow through the side of the bio degradable pot without the need for it to be removed - resulting in super-fast establishment.
ORDER OUR SPECIAL PLANT COLLECTION
We can supply you with a ready made collection of 20 plants, 4 x 5 all labelled and to include the choicest, most luscious varieties from our extensive list of strawberry varieties - for just £25.00
Or you can have a double collection of 40 plants [4 x 10 plants] for £46.00
You can order these special collections by telephone with your card details on 01366 388752.[Monday-Friday]
Or alternatively you can go online and choose your own varieties by browsing our extensive online catalogue.
www.chrisbowers.co.uk (http://www.chrisbowers.co.uk) "