North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Sarah and Steve Masterman <ssmasterman@hotmail.com>]

Our currants are showing signs of stress. The last two seasons they have 
started to bud at the right time, but the buds and young leaves stop 
developing for almost a month, with larger leaves only just starting to show 
on new shoots. The leaves on the older branches are all less than 1" across 
and most are less than 1/2". They have light green centers (lighter than the 
new growth) transitioning out to yellow and in some cases brown edges. They 
did not fruit last year and will not again this year. The leaves on the new 
growth do not have the yellow to brown edges like the older leaves. 

We live in Fairbanks Alaska and have them in our orchard where other things 
like apples, pears, plums, gooseberries, saskatoons and honeyberries all seem 
to do well. I can't see any insects on the plants, and both red and 
blackcurrants are affected equally. In reading up on this I have several 
theories - lack of nitrogen, lack of potassium, lack of water and root-bound 
due to compacted soil. Not sure if its any of these or something else. Anyone 
got any ideas?
 
Steve