Winter Dawn
Bred by the University of Florida (patented 2009) from a cross of two Florida breeding selections, Winter Dawn is valued specifically for heavy fruiting from November through February — the main Indian picking season.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Strawberry
- Type
- Runner plant (tissue-culture / certified)
- Season
- Rabi
- Maturity period
- ~150–170 days
- Expected yield
- High early-season yield; heaviest output in the Nov–Feb window
- Suitable soil
- Well-drained sandy loam on a raised, black-plastic-mulched bed
- Release
- Bred by the University of Florida; US Plant Patent granted 2009
About this variety
Winter Dawn originated from a hand-pollinated cross between two non-patented University of Florida breeding selections (FL 93-103 and FL 95-316) made in a breeding plot at Dover, Florida, and was granted US Plant Patent protection in 2009. Its defining trait is heavy fruit production specifically from November through February, which lines up closely with the main Indian picking season (December to March). This early, cold-season productivity is why it is one of the most widely planted varieties in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani; local growers there generally rate its fruit as reliable and abundant but somewhat less sweet than Camarosa or Sweet Charlie. It is not an ICAR-bred release.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- Spacing30×30 cm on raised beds 1–1.2 m wide, through black plastic mulch
- FertilizerFYM plus basal P and K at bed preparation; nitrogen split at ~3 weeks and at flowering, full potash at flowering (see the crop guide for the full schedule)
Soil & climate
Soil
- Suitable soil
- Well-drained sandy loam rich in organic matter, pH 5.7–6.5
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
~150–170 days
Expected yield
High early-season yield; heaviest output in the Nov–Feb window
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
Major pests
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Heavy, reliable fruiting specifically in the November–February window, lining up closely with the main Indian picking season and giving an early jump on the market.
- One of the most widely planted varieties in Mahabaleshwar, so local nurseries, buyers and growers are thoroughly familiar with its needs.
Things to consider
- Locally regarded as somewhat less sweet than Camarosa or Sweet Charlie, even though its yield and reliability are strong.
- Not an ICAR-bred Indian release — planting material must be sourced fresh each year from a certified nursery, not farm-saved.
Suitable regions
An imported American cultivar, not an ICAR release, one of the most widely planted varieties in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani.
- Maharashtra
Frequently asked questions
Why is Winter Dawn specifically valued for early-season picking?
It was bred specifically for heavy fruiting from November through February, which is exactly when the main Indian picking season begins. This gives growers a strong early harvest before many other varieties are in full production, which matters for capturing early-season market prices.
Sourced from: US Patent US20090013438P1 — 'Winter Dawn' strawberry plant, 'Winter Dawn' — FFSP variety page. editorial policy.