The following varieties are listed in their order of ripening. They are believed to be generally suited to the area specified. Discuss the choice of variety with the intended packer before making a final decision. Note: PARC is the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Hood

Recommended for plantings in all areas, but is very susceptible to virus and should be grown in isolation from other strawberry fields. Ripens 4-5 days earlier than Totem. Suited for early fresh market and processing. Fruit borne on strong upright clusters, fruit is large, round conic, glossy, flesh bright red, medium firm and one of the sweetest varieties. Tolerant to powdery mildew, produces moderate number of runners.

Honeoye

A New York variety which has performed well in the Okanagan Valley. Not recommended in the Fraser Valley as it is very susceptible to virus and red stele. Vigorous, high yielding plants which produce early, large attractive fruit suitable for the fresh market. Flavour may be somewhat tart.

Nisgaa (BC 92-20-85)

A new release from the PARC Agassiz breeding program that produces high yields of large fruit that ripen 3 to 5 days earlier than Totem. Fruit is medium-dark red, firm and glossy with a sweet strawberry flavour. It is mainly suited for the fresh market. It caps well and is also suitable for the processing market. Plants are small, dense and moderately vigorous. It shows good tolerance to viruses and soil born diseases. It is recommended for trial in all areas.

Valley Red (ORUS 1790-1)

A new release from the USDA-ARS program in Corvallis that produces high yields of uniform, large, dark red fruit. Its dark external and internal colour makes it suitable for the processing market only. Plant has an open habit and is easy to harvest. Harvest season is similar to that of Puget Reliance and slightly earlier than Totem. It is recommended for trial in all areas.

Puget Reliance

Recommended in all areas. Produces high yields of large, good quality fruit on vigorous, relatively virus-tolerant plants. Well adapted to a wide range of sites and is relatively easy to grow. It is a processing-type variety but has also been successfully fresh marketed. The fruit is softer than Totem but is more resistant to fruit rot. Flavour is not as good as Totem or Rainier. Matures at the same time or slightly earlier than Totem. Plants produce fewer runners than Totem. Highly susceptible to common leaf spot.

Totem

It is the major processing variety grown in BC recommended for planting in all locations. In the last few years it has shown more virus and red stele root rot infection than in the past. This suggests that resistance has broken due to new viruses and fungal strains. It is relatively winter hardy and partially resistant to powdery mildew. It is primarily suited for the processing market.

Sweet Bliss (Orus 2180-1)

A new release from the USDA-ARS breeding program in Corvallis that produces medium-large fruit with excellent flavor and light red colour. It is suited for both the fresh and processing markets. It tested very favourably in the Fraser Valley and is recommended for trial in all areas.

Shuksan

Recommended for all locations. It is relatively winter hardy and shows resistance to red stele. It is more susceptible to virus diseases and powdery mildew than Totem. It is also susceptible to Verticillium and common leaf spot. Fruit ripens 2 to 5 days later than Totem and shows a similar level of rot resistance. It is suited to both the processing and fresh markets. Primary fruit may be misshapen.

Rainier

Recommended for all locations. The high quality fruit ripens 4 to 5 days later than Totem. It is suited to the fresh or processing markets. Plants grown on silty loams seem to produce larger yields than those on sandy soil. Fruit flavour is excellent, but it is softer and more susceptible to fruit rot than Totem. It is susceptible to the virus complex in the Fraser Valley.

Stolo (BC 96-33-4)

A release from the PARC breeding program recommended for trial planting in all areas. It is a high yielding variety that produces large, firm, excellent quality fruit. Its harvest season starts a few days later than Totem making it mainly suited for the late fresh market. Plants are vigorous, virus resistant and have shown field resistance to root weevils.

Puget Crimson (WSU 2833)

A new release from the WSU program in Puyallup recommended for trial planting. It produces high yields of large firm, excellent flavour fruit. It matures several days later than Totem. It is susceptible to powdery mildew.

Clancy

A release from the New York breeding program recommended for trial planting in all areas. It is a high yielding variety that produces medium to large, firm, excellent quality fruit. Its harvest season starts a few days later than Totem.