Strawberry Soraya F1

Strawberry ‘Soraya’ F1 – Seedling

• Botanical Name: Fragaria × ananases ‘Soraya’ F1
• Plant Type: Everbearing strawberry
• Primary Use: Fresh-fruit production
• Growth Habit: Strong, vigorous and productive
• Approximate Height: 20–30 cm, depending on the production system
• Approximate Spread: 30–45 cm
• Flower Color: White
• Fruit: Uniform, attractive red strawberries
• Fruit Texture: Firm
• Flavor: Excellent, sweet strawberry flavor
• Reported Fruit Weight: Approximately 16–35 g under professional trials
• Reported Brix: Approximately 8–11° under trial conditions
• Light: Full sun during Kuwait’s cool season; suitable for protected cultivation with supplemental lighting
• Soil: Fertile, moisture-retentive and well-drained
• Recommended Soil pH: Approximately 5.5–6.5
• Spacing: 30–40 cm between plants
• Suitable For: Raised beds, productive containers, greenhouse gutters, substrate systems and hydroponic production
• Best Outdoor Planting Period in Kuwait: Late September to February
• Expected Outdoor Harvest: Winter through spring, depending on planting time and conditions
• Strawberry ‘Soraya’ F1 is a premium everbearing strawberry developed for high-quality fresh-fruit production. It forms a strong, vigorous plant and produces attractive, uniform red strawberries with firm flesh, excellent flavor and good post-harvest life.
• Unlike primarily ornamental, pink-flowered strawberries, ‘Soraya’ is selected for productivity and commercial fruit quality. Its firm, long-lasting berries are suitable for fresh eating, harvesting and short-term storage.

Growing Strawberry ‘Soraya’ F1 in Kuwait

• For outdoor cultivation in Kuwait, plant ‘Soraya’ from late September or October through February, after extreme summer temperatures have declined.
• Provide approximately 6–8 hours of sunlight during the cooler months. When temperatures rise in spring, protect the plants from intense afternoon sun to reduce flower abortion, fruit softening and leaf scorching.
• Plant with the crown level with the growing medium. Never bury the crown or allow water to remain around it. Maintain consistent moisture during flowering and fruit development but ensure unrestricted drainage.
• For container production, use a pot at least 25–30 cm wide, or approximately 5–8 liters of growing medium per plant. Larger containers provide more stable moisture and root temperatures under Kuwait conditions.
• Apply a balanced fertilizer during establishment, followed by a complete fruiting fertilizer containing adequate potassium, calcium and micronutrients. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can stimulate leaves at the expense of flowers and fruit.