Gooseberry 'Captivator' (Ribes 'Captivator') is a North American variety bred at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, Canada from a cross of Ribes hirtellum (American) and Ribes uva-crispa (European) gooseberries. It was first introduced in 1949.
It is a strong growing variety ripening early to mid-summer. Less spiny than some other varieties. The berries start off as pale green and as they mature they turn to a deep burgundy-red colour. Fruit more prolifically in colder climates. Deciduous losing its leaves in winter.
When pink they are excellent for cooking and when fully ripe they can be eaten from the bush.
- Uses: eating (when ripe), jams, jellies, sauces, juice, fruit salad, cooking including in pies, tarts, puddings; can be dried, bottled and frozen
- Pollination: Self-pollinating
- Harvest: December to January depending on the season
- Size: About 1.5 m high x 1.5 m wide
- Features: high in vitamin A and C, long-lived bushes, resistant to American mildew, can be grown in tubs, can be espaliered
Reference 1 accessed 21/4/2020
Reference 2 accessed 21/4/2020
Gilbert, A. (2011) Berry bounty. Hyland House Publishing, Australia.
Glowinski, L. (1997) The complete book of fruit growing in Australia. Lothian, Port Melbourne, Australia.
Wise, S. (2014) A year on the farm: recipes and stories from my Tasmanian tree change. HarperCollinsPublishers, Sydney, Australia.
Image accessed 21/4/2020
