North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Sherlock Terry <sherlocksmith@gmail.com>]

I read this post at work the morning after I had pruned and harvested
my Titania currants and tossed the cuttings in the hedgerow. After
work I gathered up the cuttings which had been baking in the sun all
day and followed the directions below. Now I have about 10 rooted
currant cuttings!

The roots seems to be growing a bit every day and are about 3 inches
long. I noticed that some of the leaves at the top of the cuttings
dried up and maybe it would be better to cover the jar with a loose
plastic bag or something to increase the humidity along the way.

The process is so easy, it has me wondering what other plants would
root the same way.

I haven't done much propagation before and I was wondering at what
point in the cutting's growth I should try to get them in a pot,
nursery row, or a spot in the field? Along those lines, I was
wondering if someone can email a quick container mix recipe (I know
there are a lot out there). Also, are any general guidelines or
references for growing plants out (bushes and bench grafts) in a
nursery row (fertilization, spacing, etc). It's a topic that doesn't
seem to be covered in any of my fruit growing books. Is it as easy as
putting plants in a garden bed and digging them up when they are
dormant?

Thanks.

-Sherlock
Z4 VT

>>
>> From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
>> [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of John Barbowski
>> Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2010 12:23 PM
>> To: North American Fruit Explorers
>> Subject: Re: [NAFEX] black currant productivity
>>
>>
>>
>> After my currants crops are picked (any day now), I prune (every 2nd year)
>> the older wood. (as per advice by a NAFEX'er in the UK who responded to my
>> query a few years ago).
>>
>> I take the prunings and further prune the stems into about 6-8" lengths
>> and into single stems - leaving the top 2 or three leaves. I then immerse
>> the bottom 4" of the stems in water and keep the container out of the 
>> direct
>> sun. I achieve about a 90% take on root development, both on old and new
>> wood. I plant them in the fall to allow for more root development and for
>> winter hardening. The odd one succumbs over winter - but most survive.
>>
>> I am dealing with Ben Lomond and Ben Sarek. I find Ben L develops a little
>> better than Ben S.
>>
>> The main problems: looking out for the odd stem that rots and mosquito
>> larva.
>>
>> I do the same with 10 " new growth fig cuttings (did some yesterday).
>> Works okay for me.
>>
>> jmb
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 1, 2010 at 9:09 AM, Kieran and/or Donna
>> <holycow@frontiernet.net> wrote:
>>
>> Alan,  Yes, currants and gooseberries are supposed to be pruned yearly, to
>> remove older branches.  I think anything older than 4 years.  I have
>> neglected my original gooseberry, and though I weeded it last winter, I
>> didn't think to prune it.
>>
>> The books say that Ribes tend to become very overcrowded with age, that
>> each new shoot develops enough side shoots to make a bush in itself.  I
>> think if you get in there in the winter and thin them out some the fruit
>> size will improve considerably.  Have you got any outlet to sell rooted
>> cuttings?  You could have a nice little sideline there at least till you 
>> get
>> them thinned out.  I guess if you thinned in summer they'd send more energy
>> to the branches you leave behind.  You could sell the idea to your 
>> customers
>> and plant the rooted cuttings for them in the fall.  What I read is that
>> Ribes come out so early in the spring that fall planting is highly
>> recommended.  I realize now's a busy time of year for everyone, but if you
>> buy some potting soil, throw it in some pots, and stuff whatever you cut 
>> off
>> into the pots, come fall you would probably be proud of yourself.  I have a
>> friend who always has spare rose bushes.  Whatever she prunes off in the
>> summer she sticks in pots in a nice shady area, gets lots of takes that
>> way.  I think it's mostly the timing and the shade.  That area is where she
>> keeps potted plants so they get a spray with the hose now and then.  Donna
>>
>>
>>
>> _
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