From my own experience of communicating with fellow gardeners and understanding their erroneous behavior with red and black currant bushes, I can say with confidence that you need to care for the berries. By "leaving" I mean pruning old and dead branches, since this is the most important nuance in growing tasty and juicy berries.
Caring for bushes in different seasons
Remember the main rule: it is forbidden to prune bushes in late spring. During this period, when cutting a branch, the bush will lose an abundant amount of juice, which is critical for the ripening of berries. Therefore, I think the best time for pruning is autumn. But from experience I can also say that in the summer, small cleaning can be done.
Bush care in autumn
For myself, I have identified the following main points for cutting currants in the fall:
- After harvesting, I cut off dead or old (more than two years old) branches. They are easy to distinguish from young ones by their darker shades compared to the growths.
- I also cut off the growth of branches with less than 20 cm.
- Diseased branches (and the reasons can be completely different - from insect pests to accidental diseases) without a twinge of conscience I also send for pruning.
- Branches that are drooping from weakness, broken and lying on the ground, obviously, I also cut off. They need to be cut off near the ground, leaving a small stump of no more than 20 mm.
Since the cuts do not overgrow on young branches, I lubricate them with a special varnish with simple ingredients: ceresin, rosin, wax. I mix it all over a hot fire until smooth, after which I grease the trimmings. Some people use other substances as well, but I like this old method.
Summer bush care
I find the summer part of caring for the bushes very easy and enjoyable. All I do is remember a few rules:
- When the currants have become very thick, I do not regret getting rid of the extra, in my opinion, branches (usually the reason for this density is the central part).
- I immediately remove branches broken by wind or animals.
- There is no point in treating the damaged areas - I also cut them off.
Differences in caring for black and red currants
Caring for black and red currants are very different in different parameters. Planting, grooming and pruning have their own characteristics and requirements for the soil.
Black currant
The main feature of currants is that the berries are formed on young growths, the age of which should not exceed six years. The branches that have outlived more than this period, I immediately cut off, since their presence only prevents the young from bringing tasty berries. Black currants do not require a lot of moisture, but are slightly picky about the soil.
Red Ribes
Unlike black, red currants for good productivity should consist exclusively of annual shoots, since after the first year the branches are depleted and considered old, interfere with fertility junior branches. But on the other hand, it is less picky about the habitat, however, it is more demanding on moisture, since it has a fairly developed root system. It can also grow well on loams.
Feelings from personal experience
Initially, I thought that caring for currants would be much more difficult, since future colleagues scared me with this. But after the first few careful examinations of each branch for new branches or tops, several scraps of obviously old branches, I began to feel the currants, understanding it completely after a year leaving.
If, when caring for your bushes, you listen to my advice and extracts from many years of experience, I guarantee a harvest of tasty, juicy currants without sudden incidents.
Read also: My indoor geranium was not doing well in winter. I mastered the proper care for her during the rest period. Now she is healthy and beautiful
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