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Calypso Strawberry
Calypso Strawberry

Breeder's Description

Calypso

Everbearer

Head Licence and World-wide Marketing Rights held by MEIOSIS
UK Launch 1991
Bred by East Malling Research, UK
EU PVR Grant No 364
Inscription Applied for – Poland & Slovakia

Inscription Czech Republic No: 00Z/5075466/P, France 656348

Parentage/Origin

Calypso was raised from a cross between Rapella and Selva, made in 1985 by Dr David Simpson and Judi Bell. Selected in 1986 for its firm, well-flavoured berries, Calypso (formerly EMR28) was released in the UK in 1991.

Fruit Quality

The berries are firm with a mid-red colour, glossy skin finish and have good flavour. They have a regular, conical shape although some of the primary berries can be irregular at the beginning of the season. The variety benefits from frequent picking as the fruit tends to darken once ripe.

Yield and Fruit Size

Yields from everbearer trials in the UK vary considerably from year to year but typically Calypso will produce a Class 1 yield similar to Rapella following a spring planting. Trials have shown that Calypso will have a similar yield irrespective of whether planted in spring or autumn. Calypso consistently produced a higher proportion of large berries (>35mm) than Rapella in trials.

Season

The overall cropping season is similar to Rapella although individual peaks within the season will vary between the two varieties. In some years spring planting may significantly advance the season of Calypso relative to an autumn planting, but yield is not affected.

Plant Characteristics

Plants are moderately vigorous with an upright habit. Runner production is unusually prolific for an everbearing type and the runners must be removed regularly during the summer to prevent the plants from becoming stressed

Disease Resistance

Calypso is moderately resistant to wilt (Verticillium dahliae). It is susceptible to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis) but the symptoms appear mainly on the leaves rather than the fruit.

 

Accreditations

The breeding of this variety was jointly funded by the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), MEIOSIS Ltd and the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research. The trialling of this variety was funded by MEIOSIS Ltd and the Horticultural Development Council (HDC).

 

© Meiosis Ltd
Last updated
1st November 2009