Opera

Cultivation

Opera is a midseason short-day variety whose harvest period starts around the same time as that of Elsanta. Opera requires little crop maintenance. Due to its long flower trusses and upright plant habit, the flower trusses are easily separated from the leaves. Additionally, dead leaves are easily removed. The pollen-rich flowers are highly attractive to bees and bumble bees. The long flower stalks emerge at an even rate, resulting in an excellent spread of the harvest. Even the last fruits of Opera grow to a good size, resulting in a long harvest period. The average fruit weight of Opera is very high throughout the harvest period, resulting in a high percentage of class I fruit and a very high picking rate. Opera is a vital variety, with little risk of diseases. It is fairly resistant to both crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum) and powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis).

Table-top cultivation in summer

The variety is most suitable for table-top cultivation, in which it will produce strawberries of a good size, flavour and shine even at summery temperatures. Its yields and fruit weight are considerably higher than those of Elsanta, implying the advantage of greater harvests.

Experiences gained in double cropping

In the past few years, good experiences have been gained with Opera in double cropping. Opera has a lower cold requirement than Elsanta, the plants will more readily elongate and produce fewer malformed fruits in spring. Opera does require higher doses of spore elements, in particular zinc, iron and manganese. Growers are advised to give their crops high doses of potassium once they start flowering, to guarantee good fruit quality.

Retail

Opera produces attractive, large, juicy, intensely red strawberries with very shiny skin and a good shelf life. The Opera strawberries’ attractive look offers an advantage for retailers.

Available as: