Fragaria x ananassa 'Mae' (Strawberry 'Mae')

Botanical name

Fragaria x ananassa 'Mae'

Other names

Strawberry 'Mae'

Genus

Fragaria Fragaria

Variety or Cultivar

'Mae' _ 'Mae' is a perennial with white flowers in early spring, producing early edible crops of large, firm, red strawberries as early as mid May with cloches, or a couple weeks later without cloches.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Spreading

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Colour

Flower

White in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Pale-yellow in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

It is best to rotate crops to avoid pest and disease problems.

Specific pests

Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Vine weevil , Woodlice

Diseases

Excellent verticillium wilt resistance.

Specific diseases

Grey mould

General care

Pruning

If strawberries are planted in late summer, remove the flowers in the first year to encourage fruiting next year. After harvesting, remove old leaves with hand shears. Leave the crown and new leaves untouched to allow sunlight into the centre of the plant

Propagation

Peg down runners growing over the soil surface in summer. Leave attached to the mother plant until autumn. (5 runners at most) Cut new plants from the mother plant and plant out.

Propagation methods

Runners

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Fragaria x ananassa 'Mae' (Strawberry 'Mae') will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Add to salads, Architectural, Cake decoration, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Low Maintenance, Wildlife

Cultivation

Plant outdoors in summer for a crop the following summer. Plant the crown at soil level in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun in a sheltered spot. Plant in rows with 30-45cm between plants and 75cm between rows. Or plant in a growing bag.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Fragaria x ananassa 'Mae' (Strawberry 'Mae')

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Fragaria x ananassa 'Mae' (Strawberry 'Mae')

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Xiphinema bakeri

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode pest; could potentially affect trees and other species if introduced but many pathways regulated. No evidence of interceptions or findings to date.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Fragaria x ananassa 'Mae' (Strawberry 'Mae')

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/