Pisana (toscana) F1

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Rosaceae

Order

Rosales

Genus

Fragaria

Species

x ananassa

Description

Polyennial herbaceous plant, cultivated for its characteristic red fruits (false fruits) with an intense, often sweet flavour. Rustic, it is easy to grow, preferring full sun or half shade in soil free of waterlogging and with a non-alkaline pH. Widely versatile in use, it is suitable for different contexts such as flowerbeds, open fields, pots, planters and hanging baskets in a perfect link between taste and ornamental value thanks also to the luxuriant flowering with subsequent or simultaneous presence of fruit depending on the variety.

Variety description

The Pisan (Tuscan) variety has a vigorous and easy-to-grow plant. With a beautiful ornamental appearance, it is particularly suitable for container growing, but also for the vegetable garden. It is a neutral day variety that displays flowering, (re-flowering), and fruit ripening from spring until the first cold weather. The flowers are very large and a beautiful deep pink. The fruits, weighing on average 10 to 18 g, are dark red and to be harvested with concontinuity throughout the season (spring to autumn). They are an omen of tasty seduction, being juicy with a delicious strawberry aroma. The shape of the fruit is conical. The sugar content is good, showing an average ° brix of 8 to 10. The vitamin C content is also good. The variety is multifunctional as it can be used creatively in baskets, on the patio, in pots in combination with aromatic plants or in all traditional ways.

Curiosities and special features

Used both as an ornamental plant and for food purposes thanks to the fruits eaten directly fresh or cooked and used in the preparation of ice cream, preserves, cakes and other dishes; they are also rich in pectin, fibre, vitamins A, B, C, E, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and antioxidants.

Origin and distribution

Fragaria x ananassa is a hybrid first obtained in France in the 18th century thanks to the cross-breeding work carried out by the French botanist Antoine-Nicolas Duchesne between Fragaria virginiana, which originated in North America and arrived in France in 1624, and Fragaria chiloensis, introduced to Europe from Chile in 1712; today it is widely cultivated offering an interesting assortment of varieties.

Flower size

The flower, united in the inflorescence, is singularly large in final size.

Leaf

Leaf has palmate lamina.

Fruit

The fruit has a conical shape and is classified as a false fruit. It has a medium consistency and weighs between 10 and 18 g. The skin is wrinkled and shows a uniform, solid colouring. From a sensory point of view, the flavour is delicate, sweet and intense, while the aroma is intense, fruity and penetrating; the taste is delicate and mild, and overall the fruit is fragrant. The ripening period extends from mid-spring to mid-autumn. In terms of quality, the fruit is characterised by a pronounced sweetness and is of very good quality; the plant is rather vigorous with leaves that are always well spread out, guaranteeing good quality overall. The variety is characterised by good organoleptic characteristics.

Flowering period

It flowers from mid-spring to mid-autumn and lasts from 150 to 180 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence top.

Leaf colour

Unicolour shades.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.25 to 0.45 m.

Lifespan

Polyannual life cycle.

Where to plant

Widely versatile in use, it is appreciated and cultivated as a bedding plant, open field, balcony, pot, terrace, hanging baskets, planters, outdoor tubs, indoor tubs

Stem

Semi-woody stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is double in shape, large, with a dialipetal corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized top inflorescences. It flowers from mid-spring to mid-autumn, with a flowering period of between 150 and 180 days. It is attractive to bees, bumblebees and butterflies.

Growth

Medium to vigorous growing variety.

Plant habit

Characteristic stoloniferous habit.

Branching

stolons.

PH

The ideal pH of the soil or substrate is sub-acidic, between 5.5 and 6.5; in the presence of alkaline and sub-alkaline values, the plant may show ferric chlorosis with leaf yellowing.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting into a flowerbed or open field, dig up the soil 20/30 cm deep, removing any weeds, bulky stones and residues from previous crops, then bury organic or chemical fertiliser, which will provide the nutrients needed in the plant's early stages of development. To improve the drainage of excess water, thus preventing harmful water stagnation, continue by slightly bouldering the soil to obtain a raised flower bed, then carefully level the surface, taking care to make furrows for transplanting according to a suitable planting density.

During the vegetative period, remove weeds adjacent to the crop by hoeing. Mulching can be used to control weeds as well as to keep the fruit clean and reduce water consumption.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half shade, bright shade, full sun, afternoon sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 8 and 22 °C for suitable vegetative growth followed by excellent fruiting; it prefers a cool climate.

Use

In a perfect blend of taste and ornamental value, it is widely appreciated and cultivated by professionals and hobbyists in different fields of use such as:

Agribusiness Outdoor ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

Variety with medium to high hardiness.

Soil

It prefers fresh, medium-textured or sandy soils with organic matter, well draining and non-alkaline; for cultivation in baskets, pots or tubs, use a horticultural soil containing blond peat and brown peat.

Difficulty

Cultivation is fairly easy; the level of management effort required to obtain the best results in vegetative growth and fructification is medium, taking care to perform the cultivation care correctly.

Growing tips

Here are some cultivation tips to ensure that the plant expresses the best growth vigour and thus obtains abundant final yields:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Ensure at least 6 hours of direct light Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures Prefers cool climate

Intercropping/combination

The combination with watercress, lettuce and radish is suggested.

Combinations with other plants

The ornamental value attributed to it allows the creation of elegant and special compositions with floral herbaceous plants, including seasonal ones, and aromatic herbs.

Planting

An average density of 8 plants per square metre is recommended for use in flowerbeds or open fields; spacing each specimen in this way will allow adequate drying after wetting as well as proper vegetative development.

We also recommend transplanting seedlings, with clear, non-necrotized roots, on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, wetting immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Pruning

Make a clean cut to remove the dry vegetative parts of the plant, an operation to be carried out periodically regardless of the season.

For harvesting, it is advisable to intervene during the cooler hours of the day when the fruit is completely coloured.

Propagation

Reproduction is by seed or, in some varieties, by stolons.

Repotting

Repotting, early spring to mid-summer, in larger containers with suitable substrate.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively from aqueducts or canals with an optimal sub-acid pH, either manually or by drip-wing irrigation or sub-irrigation.

During the transplanting phase, assist the seedling to ensure it takes root properly in the new site, watering frequently to prevent drying out but at the same time avoiding harmful water stagnation with consequent root rot.

Subsequently irrigate with modest volumes but frequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between one watering and the next, while preventing dryness; also do not water the aerial part of the plant in the afternoon/evening to avoid the development of fungal diseases; water more frequently in the summer due to the high temperatures.

It is also advisable to irrigate after the fruit has been harvested.

Fertilising

During pre-transplant soil preparation, bury a granular organo-mineral fertiliser to provide the nutrients the seedling needs in the very early stages of growth. Then apply a specific water-soluble fertiliser for horticulture to the soil or substrate, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the dosages and frequencies indicated on the label of the relevant product. It is of fundamental importance to meet the needs according to the development phase in which the crop is in, in fact, through careful and accurate fertilisation a considerable and excellent quality final production can be obtained. In detail, in the post-transplant phase, use a complete fertiliser with a prevalence of Phosphorus to allow correct root development; during the vegetative development phase prior to flowering, use a complete fertiliser with a higher Nitrogen content, but without exceeding the dosage; during fruit formation, prefer a complete fertiliser with a prevalence of Potassium to increase their resistance and final quality. Avoid using fertilisers containing Chlorine, such as Potassium Chloride, as the species is sensitive to it.

Pet safety

Consider your specific case and consult with your veterinarian.

Edibility for humans

Edible fruit.

Toxicity for humans

Non-toxic, however avoid ingestion in excessive quantities and consider the individual case for any allergies or intolerances.

Tip

Transplant young seedlings with a maximum of 6 true leaves and a clear, white, non-necrotized root system. During the entire cultivation cycle, in addition to the complete fertiliser, supplementary fertilisation with iron chelate EDDHA at root level is necessary, and if chlorosis (typical yellowing of the leaf internervation) should appear, then iron chelate DTPA must also be applied at leaf level, paying close attention to the concentration indicated on the commercial product (if excessive, it could burn). Beware of excessive nitrogen fertilisation, (even Nitrogen contained in manure and organic fertilisers), because it could favour vegetative luxuriance and the consequent appearance and difficult containment of leaf pox and grey mould on the fruit.