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Would it be OK to cut out some of the overcrowded branches on my blackcurrant bushes now? That way, I could bring them home and 'pick' the berries at my leisure.

What do you think?

Oh and while I'm at it, what is the best time to take gooseberry cuttings? I never used to like them, but I have tried them properly ripe from my lottie now, and they have become one of my favourite things. ;D

cj :)

Hi Caroline,

I am not sure about the gooseberry cuttings, but with the blackcurrants I was taught years ago that the best way to prune blackcurrants was to cut the wood as you picked the currants off it so it would be ideal to do it that way I would have thought.   But I am no expert so I hope someone can come along and tell me if I am right or wrong - I would hate to tell you the wrong thing! ;)  Good luck!

Quote from: carolinej on June 29, 2007, 16:42:13
Would it be OK to cut out some of the overcrowded branches on my blackcurrant bushes now? That way, I could bring them home and 'pick' the berries at my leisure.

What do you think?

Oh and while I'm at it, what is the best time to take gooseberry cuttings? I never used to like them, but I have tried them properly ripe from my lottie now, and they have become one of my favourite things. ;D

cj :)

What gooseberry do you have ?

There is a bit of information here;

http://tinyurl.com/38k9fh and here http://tinyurl.com/25emzb

we accidentally dropped some soil on some of the gooseberry branches, they grew roots and we cut them off and got 3 more bushes  ;D

QuoteWhat gooseberry do you have?

I have no idea ??? ;D

cj :)

Cutting the branches of black currants as you pick or to take away and pick is  a good idea as it gives plenty of time for the new wood to grow for next years crop. Generally gooseberry cuttings are taken at leaf fall, Make a nick in the ground with a spade put some coarse sand in and then just firm the cutting in.Do not lift them next year just because they have started to grow but leave them till the next year as there is enough sap in the cutting to form growth before there is any roots.Cuttings should be about 10 inches in length.

When actually taking the cuttings it is important to know just how you intend to grow the bushes.  To get the largest and juiciest berries it is usual to grow them `on a leg`(i.e. a single stem with side branches), whilst the largest quantity of fruit is usually achieved by allowing the bush to form multiple stems (as with blackcurrants).

If you wish to grow them `on a leg` it is vital to remove all the buds from the leaf axils which will be below and immediately above the soil surface, leaving only 3 or 4 buds at the top.  The shoots from these can then be pruned or trained to form either a traditional bush or fan or espalier shapes.

For the multi-stemmed bush leave all the buds in place.

Thanks for all the advice ;D

cj :)