Monarch Short Day Strawberry

Monarch is a cutting edge short day strawberry cultivar developed by University of California Davis in 2017, renowned for its compact, long truss architecture that supports high yields and mechanical harvesting, making it a game changer for modern commercial growers. This strawberry variety thrives in USDA zones 5 to 9, flower in short day conditions with fruit production peaking from late spring to early summer, consistently delivering 1 to 2 pounds per plant in trials, often outperforming similar cultivars in firmness and post harvest quality. Monarch excels in disease resistance, showing strong defence against Fusarium wilt via the FW1 gene, verticillium wilt, phytophthora crown rot, and macrophomina charcoal rot, with resistance scores among the highest in modern cultivars, ideal for organic and conventional farms facing soil borne pathogens. The moderate vigour and upright habit, of 8 to10 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, promote healthy airflow and ease of management, reducing susceptibility to issues like powdery mildew, while adapting well to coastal and Mediterranean climates. The berries are medium to large, 20g to 30g in weight, conical, and RHS N45A glossy red with firm flesh, low titratable acidity for a sweet, aromatic profile due to elevated γ decalactone and mesifurane levels, and a shelf life of 9 to 11 days, perfect for fresh markets and shipping. Compared to Fronteras, Monarch offers smaller but firmer strawberries with superior flavour and disease tolerance, though the plants may require monitoring for anthracnose in humid areas.
Monarch is a resilient strawberry variety delivering high yields of firm, flavourful berries with exceptional shelf life and strong disease resistance whether you are an overseas grower combating fungal challenges or optimizing high output fields, this healthy variety ensures bountiful, quality harvests.