White Currant (Ribes sativa) HELE

White Currant (Ribes sativa) 'Hele'

Estonian variety with long clusters and high disease resistance.

'Hele' is an Estonian white currant variety bred at the Polli Horticultural Research Centre. The main author is Johannes Parksepp together with Asta-Virve Libek. The variety is valued for its large, well-balanced berries, good yield, and reliable hardiness in Nordic conditions.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Large, well-balanced berries (approx. 0.6 g).
• Long and medium-dense clusters.
• Relatively high resistance to leaf diseases (especially anthracnose).
• Very good frost resistance.
• Universal use (dessert fruit and processing).

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Estonia
• Institution: Polli Horticultural Research Centre (EMÜ)
• Breeders: Johannes Parksepp, Asta-Virve Libek
• Registration: 1996 (in the Estonian recommended assortment since 2001)

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Medium size, slightly spreading. Forms a medium amount of basal shoots.
• Leaves: Grey-green, matte with a smooth surface. Leaf edges tend to curl downwards.

Fruit

• Clusters: Long, medium dense.
• Size: Medium to large berries (average 0.6 g).
• Color and Appearance: Yellowish-white, shiny, with thin skin.
• Flesh and Taste: Juicy, with a very good sweet-sour taste.
• Usage: Suitable for fresh consumption as well as processing.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: The variety is frost hardy.
• Disease resistance: Has relatively good resistance to anthracnose and other fungal leaf diseases.

Harvest and Storage

• Ripening time: Mid-late to late.
• Yield: Good, averaging 3.2 kg per bush.