North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[John S <swim_at_svc@yahoo.com>]

Barb, I am not the expert here, but I would ask what varieties do you have.  Depending on variety, some are very spreading, some are very upright and some in between.  I'm sure the experts will be better able to give you advice when they know what kind you have.

For my gooseberries, I did not prune until they started well into fruiting, then prune significant to make harvesting easy and help renew the plant.  My goal these days is to promote upward growth rather than permit much spreading growth but that is because I keep my plants close together due to limited space.

As the fruit starts to approach ripening time, I have to cover mine in order to get a harvest.

John



--- On Mon, 7/21/08, Rosholdt <rosholdt@erols.com> wrote:

From: Rosholdt <rosholdt@erols.com>
Subject: [NAFEX] Gooseberry Pruning Advice Please
To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
Date: Monday, July 21, 2008, 1:45 PM

I have read the "Unusual Fruits..." book on gooseberries and the
pruning 
section talks about laterals.  My plants are about two years old and 
have only had a few fruits on them.  I am going to move them inside the 
fence late this fall because the varmints feast on them and I get none 
every year - even with the thorns!

I am really green at this and I have one stalk with a bunch of 
fountainous arms that could be called "laterals".  Is that right? 
Another other small bush looks like it is All laterals, then.  It is a 
mess, all over the ground.  Do I prune it the same way? 
Finally, the Hinnomaki Red is sort of upright but getting very
"busy".  
Same deal?

I am not sure of my goal with this
 pruning.  Opening for light?  
Creating structure like a blackberry?

Are there "Gooseberry pruning for the newbie pictures" anywhere? 
Even 
showing before and after.  These are busy plants.

Barb
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