gooseberries dropping

[susan1]

any ideas why about half my goosberries have fallen off, did notice other plot holders suffered the same, hasnt been particularly windy and our plot is fairly sheltered??

[susan1]

[green lily]

Try watering them thoroughly.

[galina]

Basically, I don't know.  Three things spring to mind.  

Did they get frosted a couple of nights ago?  

It could be something similar to the thing that fruit trees do called June drop, if I remember right.  If too much fruit has set, the tree loses some to give the others a better chance.  Maybe gooseberries do the same.  Could be in response to drought conditions.

Could it be birds?  Testing whether the fruit is palatable?  How near ripening are your gooseberries?  Is it time to net them or string up glittery things for bird scarers?

Hope it stops and you will get a good harvest in the end.

[allaboutliverpool]

Pigeons!!!!!!!!!

I have had to net mine, the biggest clue is breaking and bending of branches down. They like the look of the fruit even when it is the size of a pea and in the process of  trying them chuck most of them out of their beaks.

Some time ago I added a photo of similar damage to my broad beans where the blighters just caused damage. I should have been more aware this year as the dry weather has forced them into eating growing plants.

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_Broad_Beans.html

Just roll the mouse over the photo to see the damage.

For those with Facebook I have a regular blog.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Allaboutallotments/140595012660360?v=wall

[artichoke]

Mine have dropped too, but in this case I think it is natural thinning, not pigeons. There are masses left on undamaged branches. All the same, I plan to net them very soon.

[Ellen K]

Mine have dropped from one particular gooseberry bush and it is definitely pidgeons.

I found branches broken off and saw their poo then actually saw them having a party in there.

So I put a dalek over it and built a cage the next day.

[Barkie]

A few of mine dropped it is in a small container so I think it got a bit dry, it has been netted and under hoops so nothing bird shaped has been sitting on it.

[landimad]

Mine are doing ok at the moment and there is no sign of the dreaded sawfly as yet.
No dropping and being watered well as we speak.

[susan1]

thanks everyone for all advice I deffo think I will have to net them now. Havent seen any evidence of pigeons but will take a more closer look, oh I never thought about frost damage, but I guess it could be that cos a couple of the spuds were touched.