PI551838 Beaver Early
I received PI551838 Beaver Early on 7/22/14. It is already a rooted plant. I'm excited to see how it performs in Minnesota.
Despite looking pretty rough when it was planted initially, this variety snapped back. As of 9/9/14, it has now set two flowers. Unfortunately, it's going to get cold enough soon that I doubt it will set fruit.
Beaver Early was planted at the end of July and set flowers quickly. It produced three strawberries very late in the season. The photo above was taken in mid-October 2014. The berries were turning red, but very slowly and in a splotchy fashion, as seen in the photo. Unfortunately, the fruit did not ripen before the frost made them mushy. I covered the plant with some straw. I hope it comes back next year because I'm quite excited to see how productive it can be!
Beaver Early is among the largest of all strawberry plants I've ever seen. As of Tuesday, June 9, 2015, the largest set of leaves easily out-spans my hand.
The first strawberry is almost ready to be picked, with another turning red, and several more still growing.
The first strawberry was picked on Wednesday, June 10, 2015. It weighed in at .63 ounce (1.78 grams) and measured 1-3/4 inches across by 1-1/4 inch tall and 1-1/4 inch deep. Another berry will be ready to be picked tomorrow.
The second strawberry was picked 6/11/15. It weighed 1.0 gram (.35 oz) and measured 1-1/4 inch wide, 1-1/4 inch tall and 1-inch deep.
6/13/15: The third and fourth strawberries were picked today. The third weighed .32 oz (9.1 grams) and measured 1-1/4 inch from crown to point, 1-1/8 inch across the top, and 1-inch deep.
The fourth strawberry weighed .24 oz (6.8 grams) and measured 1-1/8 inch from crown to point, 1-1/8 inch across, and 7/8 inch deep.
6/17/15: The fifth and sixth strawberries are picked and measured. The fifth berry weighed .24 ounce (6.9 grams) and measured 1-inch tall, 1-1/8 inch wide and 1-inch deep.
The sixth berry weighed .19 oz (5.3 grams) and measured 1-inch tall, 1-inch wide, and 7/8 inch deep.
6/20/15: Two more berries were picked today. This makes eight so far, with one more almost ripe on the plant yet. No new flowers. The seventh strawberry weighed .25 ounce (7.1 grams) and measured 1-3/16 inch tall, 1-inch wide, and 1 inch deep.
The eighth strawberry weighed .13 ounce (3.7 grams) and measured 15/16 inch tall, 7/8 inch wide, and 2/3 inch deep.