FLORIDA PEARL strawberry

🍓 Florida Pearl® Strawberry Fact Sheet

🌱 Origin

• Selected by the University of Florida (USA).
• Code name: FL 16.78-109.
• Marketed under the name Florida Pearl®.

🍓 Fruit description

• Color: white to pinkish, with red achenes.
• Shape: conical, sometimes heart-shaped.
• Flesh: firm, juicy, very light in color.
• Taste: sweet, pineapple/peach/apricot aroma, low acidity.
• Size: medium to large for a white strawberry.

🌿 Plant characteristics

• Type: short-day variety (winter or early season production).
• Vigor: good, upright growth habit.
• Yield: approx. 900 to 1200 g/plant depending on conditions.
• Shelf life: up to 6 days after harvest (good texture retention).
• Resistance: good tolerance to common strawberry diseases.

🌞 Growing conditions

• Exposure    
  • Full sun
    
• Soil    
  • Rich, light, well-drained, slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5)
    
• Watering    
  • Regular without excess (avoid standing water)
    
• Ideal temperature    
  • 10–25°C
    
• Suitable climate    
  • Temperate to warm areas (also adapts to cool climates with protection)

🕐 Production period

• In warm climates: winter to early spring (January to March).
• In temperate climates: spring to early summer (April to June).

🧑🌾 Growing tips

• Plant in the ground or in raised pots (minimum depth 10 inches).
• Remove flowers for the first 3 weeks after planting to encourage rooting.
• Apply a potassium-rich fertilizer during flowering.
• Mulching is recommended to keep the soil cool and clean.
• Watch out for slugs and powdery mildew, as with other strawberry plants.

🍽️ Uses

• Fresh consumption, desserts, gourmet decoration.
• Ideal for high-end markets or collector's gardens.

⚠️ Notes

• Less productive than some classic red varieties.
• Fruit should be picked when ripe: the pale color does not change much, so rely on firmness and fragrance.