North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Matt Demmon" <mdemmon@gmail.com>]

Gooseberries (some varieties more than others) and currants (red more than black) usually sprawl quite a bit for me once they get to bearing. I think the method of pruning, amount of sun, fertility, and water could all affect the amount of sprawl. I'd offer pruning suggestions, but I haven't experimented enough with older bushes to offer much useful advice. I typically take out about 1/3 of the oldest canes every year on the currants, concentrating especially on those that long and flimsy or already prostate. The only problem with the sprawling I have is that it brings the gooseberries more in reach of the chipmunks. I guess they're a little harder to pick and a little less attractive as well.

 

-matt

z5 se michigan

On Sat, Jul 5, 2008 at 9:02 AM, Dianne Stephany <iluvdanc@rochester.rr.com> wrote:

HI,

 

Nothing seems to eat red currants around here. And the bushes are starting to sprawl, is that normal? They are 8 yrs old.  Would pruning help?  

 

Dianne Stephany, zone 5. A sunny day with no rain clouds in sight -at least for now.

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-matt demmon
photos: www.flickr.com/photos/farmerdemmon