Blackcurrants

[emma h]

I have several blackcurrant bushes on my plot which I took over in January. They were quite neglected, and I didn't do anything to the either as I didn't know what they were!

The blackcurrants are now copious and black, but they aren't very juicy..is this because they aren't fully ripe, they haven't been fed and pruned or just that they are a bit old?Any ideas ??

Thanks

Emma

[emma h]

[Palustris]

?Lack of water is as likely as anything.

[Paulines7]

Lack of water is as likely as anything.

I agree entirely.  It has been a peculiar year weatherwise and mine aren't very fat either whereas last year they were fat and juicy.   ;D

[plot51A]

Took over old bushes on my plot 3 seasons ago. Also have 3 new bushes planted last year.
Fruit has never been juicy on the old bushes - and they have been pruned and fed and TLC'd - this year was their last chance and although there are quite a lot of currants they've gotta go - my new bushes in their first year have produced loads of fruit AND its fat and juicy.
So I guess that it might be because your bushes are old  ::)

[Tee Gee]

Strange how we all have our opinions isn't it?

When you say ;The blackcurrants are now copious and black, I think the key word is copious and the fact that the plant was not thinned out suggests to me the plant can't cope with the ammount of fruit on it. So you are getting more berries but they are smaller and less succulent.

Prune them later this year and hopefully you will have a better crop next year.

Week 40; Prune established Blackcurrant plants by cutting out branches that have just fruited, leaving the strongest young shoots which will carry next year’s fruit.