I've heard that gooseberries are one of the best for partial shade and in fact cannot tolerated full afternoon sun in some climates.

I have mine a couple feet from the fence on the North side. They mostly get indirect light but strangely get an hour or two in the late afternoon.

They seem to be thriving. The existing ones I have are ORUS 8 and ORUS 10. They are hybrids with black currant from Oregon State.

This year I've added Captivator and Tixia. The Captivators seem to be poised for a similar take off.

I vaguely recall a post a while back with a question about what "Navigator" could be and I think the suggestion may have been Captivator.

Does your gooseberry have red fruit? Of the half dozen or so fresh gooseberry varieties I've tasted, Captivator is the only one I'd seek to eat fresh.

Hi Murky.

Yep, that was me. Asking about my gooseberry. I don't recall the name of the poster who suggested Captivator but that is what was said. Great memory.

Yes the fruit are red. Reddish. They start out translucent and increase in color as they ripen. The plant is doing so great it is much taller than last year. I had a peony cage on it last year and I'm wondering just how tall with this baby get? Do I need a trellis?

Thank you kindly for the information on those other cultivars. I did eat mine right off the bush last year. So often in fact that I never got around to making a pie from them. Maybe I'll look for more Gooseberry Captivator.

Kate

Captivator is unusual in that it is supposed to thornless. I forgot to mention that, does yours have thorns?

No, it does not. Tomorrow I will take a picture. I called my area nursery and they have several Captivator plants so if that's what my mystery plant is I'm all set.

Thank you.

Kate

I'd love to know what Captivator Gooseberry tastes like: sweet, sour, sweetish, sourish? juicy, mealy? worth the bother?

Thanks,
FG