I have a standard red goosegog on the plot that my sis gave me a couple of years ago. It has sent up 2 straight shoots from what I assum is the grafting point just above soil level. Didn't know goosies were grafted, and as presumably they are, what do you think it was grafted on to, and what are these 2 stems? They have perfect goosegog leaves, but not a spike nor prickly on them. They are growing at quite a rate, and I figure I should cut them off sooner rather than later, but should I treat them as cuttings??????
Gooseberries and redcurrants are very similar - could it be that your rootstock's a redcurrant?
moonbells
Maybe MB altho the leaves are soooooo gooseberry like. I am popping up tomorrow so will have a closer inspection. I will have to take the shoots off as they are growing so rapidly and I don't want to loose the goosegog as it is delicious! Didn't realise goosegogs were grafted.
It IS grafted Emma, standard forms of gooseberry often are. Bush types usually aren't.
But for the life of me can't think of the name of the plant - learned it at college, will have to look in my notebooks. The reason I remember it so well is that this rootsock is actually grown as an ornamental, I saw it against a wall, dripping with small, red, fuchsia-like flowers. There were some prickles on it though, maybe they develop on it later.
Found my notes, but am confused! The red flowering bush I mentioned below is Ribes speciosum and my notes say that this can be used as a rootstock for a standard form gooseberry, this was mentioned (as a side issue) by a tutor. However, the notes I have from visiting commercial growers, say that the rootstock used is Ribes aureum. I suppose it's more likely to be Ribes aureum, but don't know for certain, sorry can't be of more help.
Thanks Jen. Tis interesting. I just assumed that the bush was a standard through pruning. I think tomorrow I will cut the long growths off and pot them up to see if they root - just for experimental purposes you understand. :) The gooseberrys on this red standard are huge and sweet and I don't want to cause the plant any harm by leaving these strong alien growths any longer.