Blackcurrant sticks

[redimp]

I have been given what can only be described as four sticks of blackcurrant.  All three have signs of root and two have some new growth.  My book only tells me what to do with a bush - plant it deeper and cut back to soil level.  What do I do with what I have got?  I would really like to get them going as blackcurrants are my favourite soft fruit.

[redimp]

[Palustris]

Exactly as the book says. Plant them say about half their depth in the soil. Then when new growth appears on the above soil level, prune the old stem back to that new growth. The aim is to develop a bowl shaped bush with branches coming from at or below soil level. Remove any growth which goes in towards the centre of the bush.

[Derek]

I have four blackcurrent bushes which hadn't been pruned for a year or two when I took the plot over...I cut them back pretty hard a couple of months ago and they are happily shooting now.

Will I get a decent crop this year?

I am really chuffed (that's a technical term) as the raspberries I dug out of a couch grass bed, cleared and transplanted have started to shoot too.

Derek 

[Sarah-b]

Now, that's one of the great things about gardening isn't it? - you do a bit, then nature does a bit, then you do another bit and so on...

sb

[philcooper]

If only it wouldn't help the weeds grow so much!!  ;)

[dannylewis]

My Nan got given a well-formed Blackcurrant tree and she took cuttings from them this was like 5 years ago and now they are little bushes about 4ft high producing fruit from the second year onwards and i can tell you they make the nicest blackcurrant pie ever.

dannylewis

[Columbus]

Hi Redclanger,

Most of my bushes and trees are like yours, I always call them "sticks in a bag" when I get them from bargain shops.

They look sad at first but so far they always grow and I expect a harvest from last years plantings this year and so on as they get mature enough.

Last year I got one Gooseberry and one Red currant .... thats one berry per baby bush.

Best of luck, Col

[Palustris]

Sorry Derek, did not read your question sooner. Balckcurrants produce fruit on one year old and older wood, so if all your bush is new,you will not get fruit until next year. You could always come and pick some off ours if you really want some!