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Parentage / Origin
The gooseberry variety Pax was raised from a cross between
Whinham’s Industry and a spineless, mildew resistant derivative of the
Canadian cv Captivator and Lancashire Lad, made in 1979 by Dr
Elizabeth Keep. Selected in 1983 because of its many attributes, Pax
(formerly 1815/123) was submitted for trial in 1988 by E Keep and V H
Knight.
Fruit Quality
The fruits are well shaped, slightly bristly, dark red when fully
ripe, and of moderate dessert flavour. Average fruit size of Pax was
7.4g, and similar to that of Careless (7.7g).
Yield
Yield per bush in 1990 averaged 1.74kg.
Plant Characteristics
The plants are very vigorous and spreading but can be shaped up by
pruning. Although Pax produces occasional spines on young wood, it is
virtually spineless. Micropropagated plants of Pax were extremely
spiny, but it is a juvenile character enhanced by tissue culture and
as the plants matured they became less spiny. After 2 years in normal
growing conditions the spiny plants, ex micropropagation, are
virtually spineless. The cropping season is similar to Careless.
Disease & Pest Resistance
Pax is moderately resistant to mildew (Sphaerotheca mors-uvae) on
the plant and fruit and moderately resistant to leaf spot (Pseudopeziza
ribis). Severe mildew and/or leaf spot were recorded in trials in
Denmark and Germany. Pax has not displayed symptoms of gooseberry
vein-banding virus in the field but it has not been deliberately
inoculated by grafting.
Marketing
As the most spineless European red-fruited gooseberry, Pax will
appeal enormously to soft fruit producers who supply the fresh and PYO
markets. There is increasing interest in fresh red gooseberries from
the supermarkets and Pax is being trialled by a major supermarket.
Picking should be far easier than with spiny gooseberries and so some
reduction in harvesting costs may result. There is also considerable
interest from amateur gardeners. |
