When Should I Prune White Currants?

Pruning established cordons

1. In early spring, cut new growth on the main vertical stem by a quarter of the previous year’s growth, or by half if growth is weak.
2. In early summer, once the cordon has reached the required height, cut to one bud of new growth each year.

Should currant bushes be pruned?

Prune established currant and gooseberry shrubs annually in late winter (early March), before new growth appears, to encourage vigor and fruit production. During the first three years of growth, allow four or five canes to develop per year. Remove only weak or damaged wood.

How do you prune a currant plant?

For the first three years after planting, prune lightly in autumn or winter if growth is strong, just removing any weak or low-lying shoots. But if growth is weak, prune hard, cutting at least half the shoots back to near ground level.

When and how do you prune redcurrants?

In early summer, prune new growth back to two buds to keep plants compact. Leaders should be pruned to outward-facing buds unless the branches are bending, in which case they should be cut to upward-facing buds.

Is it too late to prune blackcurrants?

d. ANSWER: As a general rule prune blackcurrants from the end of December to mid February when they are dormant. I would not advise pruning “straight after growth stops in late summer/autumn” because the bush will still have leaves on at that time of year.

How do you prune a white currant bush?

Pruning established cordons

1. In early spring, cut new growth on the main vertical stem by a quarter of the previous year’s growth, or by half if growth is weak.
2. In early summer, once the cordon has reached the required height, cut to one bud of new growth each year.

How tall do currant bushes get?

Three to five feet tall
An Edible Plant with Pearl-Like Red Berries

Common name	Red currant
Botanical Name	Ribes rubrum
Family	Grossulariaceae
Plant Type	Fruit
Mature Size	Three to five feet tall, three to six feet wide

Can you prune currants in spring?

This is best done when the bushes are dormant between autumn and spring, and like most plants it’s best to make sure they don’t get too dry during their first year in their new home. Cut all the shoots back and this will help give them a rest to settle in and put down strong roots.

When should fruit bushes be pruned?

When to prune – Fruit bushes are pruned when they are dormant, in the Northern Hemisphere this is between October and early March. It is best to prune just before the plants come out of dormancy which allows them to heal quickly with the vigourous new growth of Spring.

Should I prune blackcurrants?

Pruning Blackcurrants:
This is to encourage bushier growth from the base in year one, making a solid foundation. If you were planting pot grown plants in summer, you would leave them to grow as they were until winter, then snip the top/s off to encourage bushiness and still get fruit the next year.

How do you prune an overgrown red currant?

For Redcurrants
Either head back the older branch to an outward growing new shoot or leave the branch in place for another year and trim back all the shoots by a thirdor if it’s cluttering up the shrub remove it at the base. Any of these options will be fine – just do the one that feels/ looks right.

Can you prune red currants after fruiting?

Redcurrants and whitecurrants fruit on old wood. In winter, cut back old or diseased stems; at the end of June, prune new growth back to two buds, to keep the plant compact.

What do you feed blackcurrant bushes?

Blackcurrant bushes need plenty of watering and feeding – particularly if container grown. In spring, feed with pelleted chicken manure or other high potash fertiliser, and add a thick mulch. Keep weed-free during the growing season and when the fruits start to mature, net your plants to protect from the birds.

How long do blackcurrant bushes live?

10-15 years
Blackcurrants are usually trouble free and may live for 10-15 years. Net the bushes down to ground level to prevent birds from stealing the fruit . Or grow in a fruit cage. Reversion and Big Bud Mite may reduce their life but frost can be a problem particularly in Northern regions with early flowering varieties.

How big do white currants grow?

Description. It is a deciduous shrub growing to 1 m (3 ft) tall and broad, with palmate leaves, and masses of spherical, edible fruit (berries) in summer. The white currant differs from the red currant only in the colour and flavour of these fruits, which are a translucent white and sweeter.

Are white currants good for you?

Nutritional Value
White currants are the least nutritionally dense currant in comparison to red and black, however, they are still an excellent source of vitamin C.

What do white currants look like?

White currants are sweeter than the other varieties and look incredible on the plant. Some are white, others have a yellow or pinkish tint. Then there are translucent varieties. They’re real stunners in the garden.

Do currants need trellis?

In Wisconsin and adjacent states, currants and gooseberries (two closely related fruit crops) are generally grown without trellises, as extension publications recommend.

Can you eat currants raw?

You can eat currants raw, but black currants, especially, are quite tart. Adding a bit of sugar or cooking the berries into jams, jellies, or sauces can help offset the tartness (but will also affect their nutritional profile). You can use currants in desserts instead of other berries.

Are currants poisonous to dogs?

True currants (including black, red, and white currants) belong to a different group of plants (genus Ribes) and are not considered toxic to dogs, though stomach upset could occur if a large amount is ingested.

Can I prune currant bush in summer?

Cut new shoots and stems down to 5 leaves in mid-summer.
Since berries like to grow on older stems, focus on pruning off the newer ones instead. Keeping the older stems will allow them to continue to grow berries. Trimming the newer stems will help encourage growth and give you a bushier plant.