Technical sheet of the variety of Gooseberry with Fertile Clusters of Palluau
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Fruit flesh color: The berry is described as bright red and translucent.
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Skin color: Bright red, slightly translucent and shiny.
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Size and shape: Small berry, grouped in short but dense clusters, 6 to 8 cm long.
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Tree size: Vigorous shrub, bushy habit, adult height 1 to 1.5 meters.
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Fruit maturity: Early, harvest at the beginning of July.
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Fruit taste: Very tangy and fragrant, with a lovely aromatic richness.
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Earliness of the variety: Early.
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Fruiting period Early July.
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Disease resistance and storage: Low susceptibility to powdery mildew and anthracnose. Good cold storage (up to 2 weeks at 0°C). Can be frozen for off-season processing.
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Variety yield: High, comparable to French market standards. Average yield of 5 to 8 kg per plant in conventional cultivation.
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Is this variety self-fertile? Yes.
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Commercial use: Processing (jams, jellies, juices, sorbets), possible but limited for fresh consumption, decoration and baking.
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Comments: Old variety, recognized as one of the best for red currants. Very tight fruits on short, very full bunches. Fleshy pulp with a low water content. Discreet or barely bothersome seeds. Suitable for mechanized harvesting and resistant to transport. Appreciated for its sugar/acid balance and its lively, fragrant taste. Good cold storage and suitable for deep freezing. Easy to harvest by hand and suitable for mechanization for industrial processing. Vigor and hardiness. Entry into production from the 2nd year, full production from the 4th year. Productive longevity of 15 to 20 years. Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil, rich in organic matter.
Quick read / the essentials on Gooseberry bunches Fertile de Palluau
The Fertile de Palluau variety, originally from Vendée, is an old French selection still highly valued by producers for its precocity and processing qualities. It produces short but dense bunches, filled with small red berries with shiny skin, generally measuring between 6 and 8 mm in diameter. Its firm, not very juicy flesh, rich in pectin, makes it a reference for artisanal jams, jellies or juices. Its intensely acidic taste profile, combined with an above-average aromatic richness, perfectly meets the expectations of the processing market.
This early variety allows for harvesting from the end of June, with a single crop cycle, making it easier to manage the growing calendar. Under professional conditions, it can achieve an average yield of 7 kg per adult plant. Its bushy habit, natural vigor, and good disease resistance make it particularly reliable for demanding growers.
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Origin and history
The 'Fertile de Palluau' variety is an old French selection originating from the Palluau region of Vendée, in the Pays de la Loire region. It has historically been cultivated in western France, particularly for its processing qualities. Its name evokes its capacity for sustained and regular production. Old but still prized, it is one of the heritage varieties of red currant, still used today in professional cultivation systems with an artisanal or industrial orientation.
Description of the fruit
The fruits of 'Fertile de Palluau' are small, generally measuring between 6 and 8 mm in diameter. They are grouped in short (5 to 6 cm), dense and well-furnished clusters. The skin is bright red, shiny and slightly translucent, giving the berries a beautiful visual appearance, very popular for decoration or baking.
The flesh, probably red like the skin, is fleshy, not very juicy, with a firm texture. This firmness is accompanied by a low water content, making the berry well-suited for processing. The fruit has an intensely tart flavor, with an aromatic richness and fragrance above the average of red varieties. This flavor profile makes it an excellent choice for processing into jellies, jams, or juices, where acidity is sought for its natural balance and pectin content.
The estimated Brix level is between 11 and 12°Brix, which provides a good balance between sugar and acidity, suitable for artisanal or industrial processing.
Behavior in culture
The 'Fertile de Palluau' is an early variety. Harvesting generally begins in late June and continues through the first half of July. It is non-remontant, with a single, concentrated wave of production, which makes it easier to organize the harvest schedule.
Average productivity under professional conditions is estimated at 7 kg per adult plant, with full production reached in the 4th year. This yield, combined with the robustness of the plant, makes it a stable and reliable variety.
Vegetative characteristics
The plants reach a height of 1 to 1.5 meters at maturity, with a bushy and well-branched habit. Their vigor is described as strong, with rapid development. The root system is well developed in its own roots, which avoids the systematic recourse to grafting.
The bushy habit, coupled with the density of the bunches, does not require staking under normal growing conditions. However, in windy areas or high-density plots, light staking can improve manual harvesting or facilitate the passage of equipment in the orchard.
Resistances and sensitivities
The 'Fertile de Palluau' variety has good natural resistance to the main gooseberry diseases. It is not very susceptible to powdery mildew or anthracnose. Professional feedback indicates that it rarely requires specific phytosanitary treatments, beyond traditional preventive measures.
Regarding pests, it shows above-average resistance, without however equaling modern cultivars specifically bred for this purpose. Its natural hardiness reduces the need for plant protection interventions.
On the other hand, this variety is moderately sensitive to drought. It requires regular watering, especially during flowering and fruit growth. It is also not very tolerant of calcareous soils, which makes it unsuitable for alkaline or very clay-limestone soils. A sensitivity to root asphyxiation should be noted: fresh but well-drained soil is essential to ensure the longevity and productivity of the plant.
Propagation and rootstocks
In France, the 'Fertile de Palluau' is mainly grown as a rootstock, from cuttings or layering. Grafting is reserved for specific productions (stem forms or difficult soil). In special cases (calcareous, heavy, or poorly drained soils), Ribes aureum can be used as a rootstock, but this practice remains marginal.
Economic performance
In professional production, the yield per vine is competitive with levels close to 7 kg/year. However, the short and tight configuration of the bunches makes harvesting slower than for other varieties such as 'Rovada' or 'Versaillaise Blanche'. This particularity increases labor costs, making this variety less suitable for large mechanized areas. It is therefore recommended for farms oriented towards quality and artisanal processing.
Uses and commercial outlets
The 'Fertile de Palluau' variety is primarily intended for processing. Its high pectin content, rich aroma, and vibrant color make it ideal for jellies, jams, coulis, syrups, and sorbets. Its low juiciness allows for rapid concentration of flavors during cooking.
It can also be used fresh, for niche markets or for baking and decoration, but its marked acidity and the small size of its berries limit its appeal in the mainstream fresh fruit market.
Honey character
The flowering of 'Fertile de Palluau', between March and April, is appreciated by pollinators. Its discreet but nectar-rich flowers attract bees and butterflies. This honey-producing presence promotes biodiversity and improves yields through natural pollination.
Varietal comparisons
Compared to modern varieties such as 'Junifer' or 'Jonkheer Van Tets', 'Fertile de Palluau' stands out for its aromatic richness and natural robustness. It offers a very interesting alternative to farmers looking for an old, high-performance variety that is well-suited to processing.
Conclusion
The 'Fertile de Palluau' variety is aimed at professionals looking for an early, robust cultivar that performs well in processing. It stands out for its pronounced flavor, intense color, and stable production. While it takes longer to harvest, it makes up for it with the quality of its fruit and its appreciable hardiness. In the context of artisanal production, organic farming, or short supply chains, it constitutes a heritage reference to be valued.
To summarize: Fertile Palluau Gooseberry Clusters
The Fertile de Palluau variety is a safe bet for producers looking for a high-yielding, early-ripening red currant perfectly suited to artisanal processing. Thanks to its tight clusters, small fruit, and high pectin content, it excels in the production of jams, jellies, syrups, and juices with powerful aromas. Its tangy flavor, combined with low juiciness, allows for good control of cooking times and a high aromatic concentration.
Its early, honey-producing flowering attracts pollinators, while its natural hardiness and disease resistance limit the need for phytosanitary interventions. The variety offers good production stability, reaching full productivity in the 4th year. Although its harvest is slower due to the small size of its bunches, it remains ideal for short supply chains or small-scale processing plants.
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