Verdi is a mid-early, June-bearing strawberry variety. Its harvesting window corresponds to that of Darselect. Verdi is suitable for conventional cultivation systems using fresh or frigo plants and can be grown in open fields (with double covering) as well as under tunnels. The variety has a healthy, well-balanced growth habit with lime-green, glossy foliage.

Flowering and harvesting period

The first fruits of Verdi appear a few days earlier than Sonata. This advantage in earliness is maintained well into the second half of the harvesting period. The total yield is ultimately slightly lower than that of Sonata.

Fruit quality

The long, conical berries of Verdi are large, firm, and uniform in shape at the start of the season. In the second half of the harvest, the berries become smaller and shorter. Verdi’s colour tends to be on the darker side; in open-field cultivation, the berries range from bright red to dark red, making it easy to achieve good colouration in protected or tunnel-grown crops as well. The berries possess an exceptional, distinctive shine. Verdi fruits are firmer than those of Sonata, although the skin is slightly more delicate. The flavour of Verdi can be described as very juicy, pleasantly sweet, and mildly acidic, with a recognisable aroma reminiscent of blackcurrant. Its keeping quality is excellent – the fruits retain their characteristic gloss for a prolonged period.

Productivity

From the start of the harvest, Verdi’s production increases rapidly. Compared with other varieties with consistent yields, Verdi offers a longer picking period thanks to the well-spread development of new flower trusses. This results in a remarkably stable fruit size (see graph 1). The consistently high berry weight, combined with the good visibility of the trusses, ensures excellent picking efficiency.

Verdi begins to produce as Flair’s yield declines, and when Verdi’s production decreases, Faith takes over. This prevents a harvesting gap between Flair and Faith, resulting in a smoother and more continuous production flow.

Pest and disease susceptibility

The crop is resistant to Phytophthora cactorum and shows good tolerance to Verticillium and powdery mildew. Verdi may occasionally display slight discolouration symptoms, indicating possible iron or nitrogen deficiency. During the summer of 2018, the variety demonstrated excellent heat tolerance.