Blackcurrants
Blackcurrant are exceptionally easy to grow in any fertile soil in sun or light shade. But they do need 1.5m (5ft) each way as they tend to turn into big bushes. Though some fruit will be produced on older wood, blackcurrants carry most of the crop on the previous season’s strong young shoots so correct planting and pruning is important.
Plant both container and bare root plants about 5cm lower than the nursery soil mark to encourage the natural habit of producing vigorous new shoot from the base of the plant. Planting from autumn until spring, although with care container grown plants can be set out in summer.
Prune back all shoots of bare root plants to two buds 2.5cm above the soil level to prevent next seasons crop weakening the plant and ensure good establishment. Alternatively, leave half of shoots unpruned to get a small picking. Just remove weak or damaged stems of container grown plants.
On established plants, remove about a quarter of the stems in winter pruning to 2.5cm from the ground level to ensure growth of new productive wood.
When pruning watch out for abnormally enlarged and rounded buds caused by blackcurrant gall (big bud) mite, a wind dispersed microscopic pest. The affected buds will fail to grow normally. The mite also transfers a virus-like disease called currant reversion which causes stunted growth. Always obtain certified disease free plants. There are no chemical treatments. Pick off and destroy affected buds where infestation is light. Remove badly infected plants. Try growing mite-resistant cultivar ’Ben Hope’.
After pruning apply 100g per square metre (3oz per square yard) of nitrogen rich fertiliser such as poultry manure pellets, and if possible lay a 7cm deep mulch of well rotted manure or other organic matter around the plants.
Use nets to keep birds off the fruits and gather in bunches called strigs when ripe. You have top and tail them before use, but you can do that later.
For further information please see: www.rhs.org.uk/growyourown/blackcurrant.asp
