Comparison of Three Methods for Determining the Floral or Vegetative Status of Strawberry Plants

Abstract

Three methods for determining the vegetative or floral status of the cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) were compared. Dissection under a stereoscope was the most reliable method, followed by macroscopic evaluation of flower cluster development under long days. Macroscopic flower cluster production was highly dependent on the amount of natural chilling received by the plants prior to being placed under long day conditions, and differed among cultivars. Central longitudinal microtomed sections of apical meristems were unreliable due to their subjective nature. The time of flower bud initiation also was estimated. ‘Allstar’, ‘Earliglow’, and ‘Tribute’ initiated flower buds in late September; ‘Apollo’ and ‘Sequoia’ in early October; and ‘Titan’ in mid-October.