Strawberry Milan F1

Strawberry Milan F1 Seeds

(Professional Standard Everbearing Strawberry)

Strawberry Milan F1 is the benchmark professional-grade F1 hybrid strawberry from ABZ Seeds — the standard variety for professional strawberry growers with increasing demand and popularity among strawberry growers across North-West Europe. Milan represents ABZ Seeds’ primary variety for open field and tabletop commercial fresh market production, combining high productivity, improved fruit quality, and excellent shelf life in a I single robust package.

Milan is a strong-growing everbearing variety with improved shelf life, productivity, and fruit quality compared to previous ABZ hybrids. It develops a very vigorous plant with a strong root system in open field culture, and these robust plant characteristics also make it well suited for table top culture.

The fruit quality improvements that Milan delivers over earlier ABZ varieties are measurable and commercially significant. Fruit weight is improved by 15–17% compared to the ABZ F1 hybrid Elan. Brix values measured between 9.6 and 10.6. In open field trials, Milan cropped rather early, with total yield in July and August 13–30% higher than Elan. In table top culture, a fruit yield of Class I of 1.5 kilograms per plant was measured in July–August–September
.
The fruit has a nice conical shape and will keep its bright color during its shelf life. Muller Seeds This bright color retention is an important commercial quality for retail and fresh market supply, ensuring that harvested fruits remain visually appealing throughout handling and display. The flavor is sweet and soft — characteristic of the high-quality ABZ fresh market breeding program.

Fruit size is significantly larger than wild or alpine types, making Milan a genuinely substantial berry for fresh eating and commercial production. Excellent shelf life makes it well suited to handling, packaging, and retail distribution.
As a day-neutral everbearing variety, Milan produces continuously regardless of day length, making it productive across a wide range of seasons. In Gulf conditions, it delivers its best performance as a cool-season outdoor or protected crop from autumn through spring.

Variety Details

• Variety: Milan F1
• Breeder: ABZ Seeds, Andijk, Netherlands
• Hybrid type: F1
• Bearing type: Everbearing day-neutral
• Role in ABZ range: Standard professional open field variety
• Fruit type: Conical, bright red, firm
• Fruit weight improvement: 15–17% over Elan
• Brix: 9.6–10.6
• Yield Class I: 1.5 kg per plant (table top)
• Yield advantage: 13–30% higher than Elan in open field trials
• Days to first harvest from sowing: Approximately 120 days
• Shelf life: Excellent — retains bright color throughout

Key Features

• Professional standard variety from ABZ Seeds — benchmark for open field and table top production.
• Yield 13–30% higher than comparable ABZ hybrid Elan in open field trials.
• Fruit weight improved 15–17% over Elan — larger, more substantial berries.
• Brix 9.6–10.6 — excellent natural sweetness.
• Class, I yield of 1.5 kg per plant in table top culture.
• Bright conical fruits that retain color throughout shelf life.
• Very vigorous plant with strong root system — reliable in demanding conditions.
• Excellent shelf life — suited for retail supply and fresh market.
• Day-neutral everbearing — continuous production across seasons.

Plant Information

• Height: 25–35 cm
• Spread: 35–45 cm
• Plant type: Everbearing day-neutral (perennial, grown as annual in cooler climates)
• Hybrid type: F1
• Habit: Very vigorous, strong root system
• Sun: Full sun
• Soil: Rich, well-drained, fertile soil, pH 6.0–6.5
• Water: Consistent moisture — keep evenly moist
• Spacing: 30–40 cm apart in field or table top

Seed Germination

• Seed depth: Surface sow or very light cover — 2–3 mm maximum
  Germination time: 7–14 days under optimal conditions
  Ideal germination temperature: 18–22°C
  Important — Cold Stratification Recommended: Place seeds in a sealed container in the refrigerator at 2–5°C for 3–4 weeks before sowing.
• This improves germination rates and uniformity.
• After stratification, allow seeds to acclimatize at room temperature for 24 hours before surface sowing on moist, sterile seed-starting compost. Seeds require light for germination — do not cover deeply.
• Note: Milan is very sensitive to high salt levels, particularly during germination — do not over-fertilize during the seedling stage.

Growing Tips

• After cold stratification, sow Milan F1 seeds on the surface of a sterile, moist seed-starting mix at 18–22°C. Do not cover seeds deeply as light aids germination. Maintain consistent moisture throughout germination — do not use fertilizer during germination as Milan is sensitive to high salt levels at this stage.
• Once seedlings develop their first true leaves, pot up into individual pots and grow on in good light at a minimum 15°C. Grow transplants in good light to prevent stretching.
• After 6–8 weeks, plants are ready for their final growing position.
  For open field or raised bed growing, space plants 30–40 cm apart in fertile, well-drained soil.
• For container or table top culture, use a rich potting mix in adequately sized pots.
• Keep the crown at or just above soil level.
• Water consistently using drip or base irrigation to keep foliage dry and reduce disease risk.
• Begin feeding with a balanced strawberry fertilizer every two weeks once plants are established, switching to a higher-potassium formula during flowering and fruiting.
• Milan’s vigorous root system and strong plant habit mean it responds well to adequate nutrition and water throughout the season.
• Harvest fruits promptly as they ripen to maintain continuous production from the plant’s generous trusses.
  In Gulf conditions, autumn sowing and transplanting delivers the best cool-season outdoor crop from November through April.

Gulf Planting Season

• Best sowing time in the Gulf: July–August (after cold stratification)
• Transplanting: September–October
• Expected fruiting: November–April
• Indoor protected growing possible year-round.

Culinary and Garden Uses

• Premium fresh eating — large, sweet, firm conical berries
• Retail and fresh market supply
• Open field and raised bed home growing
• Container and table top production
• Jams, preserves, and desserts
• Mixed ABZ strawberry variety displays