Currant Pruning - How To Prune A Currant Bush

Currant pruning requires the removal of the oldest wood annually in very early spring. Fruits are produced on three-year-old wood, which needs to be preserved. Broken and dead wood are removed annually and some thinning needs to take place to enhance air and light penetration.

1. When should currant bushes be pruned?
2. How do you prune a currant bush?
3. How do you take care of a currant bush?
4. Do you cut back currant bushes?
5. Should you prune currant bushes?
6. Why is black currant illegal in the US?
7. How big does a red currant bush get?
8. How do you trim raspberry canes?
9. How long does a blackcurrant bush last?
10. Can you prune blackcurrant bushes in summer?
11. Why is there no fruit on my blackcurrant bush?
12. Why are gooseberries illegal?
13. What can I feed my currant bushes?
14. When should I pick red currants?
15. Do blueberry bushes need pruning?
16. How do you trim blueberry bushes?
17. Do deer eat currants?
18. Where do currant bushes grow?
19. When should I cut back my clematis?

When should currant bushes be pruned?

In mid-June to July, shorten the current season's growth back to five leaves, except for those branches needed to extend the main framework. This pruning should not remove fruit, as fruit develops mainly on the older wood, not the current season's growth. In winter, remove dead wood and low-lying shoots.

How do you prune a currant bush?

Use secateurs to prune off a 15-30cm (6-12in) long shoot of recent growth. Trim off the soft tip, making the cut diagonally just above a bud to enable rain to drain off easily (and also to make it obvious which end is up when you plant it!). Cut horizontally just below a bud to form the base of the cutting.

How do you take care of a currant bush?

Quick facts

1. Currants and gooseberries will grow in full sun to partial shade. ...
2. Space plants at least 3 feet apart.
3. Most currants and gooseberries are self-fruitful. ...
4. Prune annually to remove weak or dead canes and to open up the canopy.
5. Expect to get fruit 1 to 3 years after planting.

Do you cut back currant bushes?

Red and white currants will fruit at the base of shoots, known as 'laterals', that grow out from the main branches. Prune in winter to leave between eight and ten healthy, strong main branches each year. On one-year-old bushes, prune back new shoots by half. ... The following winter, shorten new leading shoots by half.

Should you prune currant bushes?

Pruning currant bushes is necessary to keep the form of the plant, remove any diseased material and, most of all, to keep the plant's interior open. Currant pruning is a quick annual chore and part of regular maintenance. Head back one-year-old shoots to the next growing point to force branching.

Why is black currant illegal in the US?

The growing and importation of currants were banned in New York and other parts of the United States for more than half a century because they were thought to help spread a fungus that threatened the timber industry.

How big does a red currant bush get?

They are fuller and more upright with straighter branches, and grow to 5-6 feet tall and wide. The leaves are bigger and the branches provide more interest in the winter because the red buds are bigger. Alternatively, red currant bushes are smaller (3-5 feet tall and wide) and a little more scraggly-looking.

How do you trim raspberry canes?

Tip prune new shoots in early spring 3-4 inches to encourage branching. Top these canes again 3-4 inches in summer. Then after harvest, remove all dead canes and those smaller than ½ inches in diameter. The following spring, prune out weak canes, leaving only four to five of the healthiest and largest.

How long does a blackcurrant bush last?

Blackcurrants are usually trouble free and may live for 10-15 years. Net the bushes down to ground level to prevent birds from stealing the fruit . Or grow in a fruit cage. Reversion and Big Bud Mite may reduce their life but frost can be a problem particularly in Northern regions with early flowering varieties.

Can you prune blackcurrant bushes in summer?

Ideally pruning should be carried out immediately after harvesting or more practically, September. By the middle of summer the blackcurrant bush will be a mass of fresh young shoots surrounding the older fruiting branches. ... This will leave a jungle of pale green, one year old shoots that need organising.

Why is there no fruit on my blackcurrant bush?

Blackcurrants fruit on previous years' wood, and the reason you didn't get any fruit this year was because the fruiting wood had been removed. This year's growth, though, will give you your fruit next year. So leave all new growths well alone and hopefully you will get a bumper crop next year.

Why are gooseberries illegal?

Complicated History. In 1911, a federal ban made it illegal to grow all Ribes, including currants and gooseberries, because these plants served as an intermediary host of white pine blister rust.

What can I feed my currant bushes?

In late winter, feed with a balanced fertiliser (like Growmore) at 100g per sq m (4oz per sq yd) and place a mulch (such as well-rotted manure or mushroom compost) around the plants to suppress weeds. Avoid hoeing near the base of bushes because the hoe might cut through new shoots developing at the base.

When should I pick red currants?

Harvesting Redcurrants

Pick the berries when they are well coloured shiny and taste sweet, if they are dull you have waited too long. The will not all ripen at the same time so pick them over 2 or 3 times. Pick the whole strig (cluster of berries) at a time rather than individual fruit.

Do blueberry bushes need pruning?

Any pruning of blueberry bushes, especially mature bushes, is required for successful production of blueberries. Blueberry bushes that have not been pruned on an annual basis may become overgrown and less fruitful (Figure 1). Proper training of blueberries is essential to maintain plant size, shape and productivity.

How do you trim blueberry bushes?

For trimming blueberry bushes, you should remove any lower growth to prevent fruits from settling on the ground. When pruning blueberries, you'll want to allow light to penetrate the center of the plant. This means any criss-crossing branches should be removed to allow for more sunlight and better air circulation.

Do deer eat currants?

All currants do well in shade and are not bothered by deer. They need little food or other care: Plant 'em and pick 'em.

Where do currant bushes grow?

Plant currants in full sun in an area with well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Currants prefer a medium to heavy soil with several inches of organic matter or compost mixed in. Before planting, cut all stems to 6-10 inches above ground level. Space plants 4-6 feet apart.

When should I cut back my clematis?

Prune your large flowering clematis during the spring, when the plant is still dormant. Remove any damaged, dead or weak stems, cutting back to a pair of healthy buds. Avoid heavy pruning at this stage as you may get less early flowers.