Gooseberry mildew

[nickdub]

I've more or less abandoned the old varieties of gooseberry because of the mildew problem here in the wet West of England. However when I was reclaiming a bit of ground last year in order to make some space for some sweet peas, I came across a survivor which is almost certainly Whinham's Industry.

Given the plant had survived about 20 years of neglect, I just tidied it up a bit and left it be. Today I noticed that the new growth and the small berries are already showing patches of mildew. I cleared it out a bit with my knife to open the center.

Then it occurred to me to wonder if anyone has tried putting a temporary roof over a gooseberry bush to keep the rain off in the Spring - along the same lines as you can for a peach tree. I may give it a go next year, as I have a few off-cuts of poly-carbonate sheet lying around somewhere. Certainly it seems to me that the flavour of the old varieties was superior to the modern Japanese ones.

[MyWifesBrassicas]

I've more or less abandoned the old varieties of gooseberry because of the mildew problem here in the wet West of England. However when I was reclaiming a bit of ground last year in order to make some space for some sweet peas, I came across a survivor which is almost certainly Whinham's Industry.

Given the plant had survived about 20 years of neglect, I just tidied it up a bit and left it be. Today I noticed that the new growth and the small berries are already showing patches of mildew. I cleared it out a bit with my knife to open the center.

Then it occurred to me to wonder if anyone has tried putting a temporary roof over a gooseberry bush to keep the rain off in the Spring - along the same lines as you can for a peach tree. I may give it a go next year, as I have a few off-cuts of poly-carbonate sheet lying around somewhere. Certainly it seems to me that the flavour of the old varieties was superior to the modern Japanese ones.

It does make sense, worth a shot.

[MyWifesBrassicas]

I though about doing the same thing to reduce blight on outdoor toms, some wonderful person on here suggested it, so I'm sure somebody might have tried that with other rain/damp orientated fruit problems

[burnie]

My old inherited variety has been hit twice with it, such a tasty fruit too, I gave it a serious pruning last year, covered in fruit just now, I will keep an eye on it.

[nickdub]

My old inherited variety has been hit twice with it, such a tasty fruit too, I gave it a serious pruning last year, covered in fruit just now, I will keep an eye on it.

Good luck with it - may be worth giving it a bit of protection to keep the bush dry if convenient.

[nickdub]

Quick update :-

as it happened I found an appropriately sized piece of poly-carbonate in my extensive junk collection and so erected a temporary roof over the gooseberry bush in question about 6 weeks ago - bit early to say for definite how much good it has done but my impression is that the mildew on the leaves is not as bad as I would have expected, and the fruit is developing with some sign of disease but not very badly affected by it.

I'll take the sheet down in the Autumn and hopefully put it back in place next Spring. I'd love to grow some old types of gooseberry as they are one of my favourite fruits, if I can find a way of dealing with the disease problem

[annie8]

Can I just jump on this gooseberry thread and ask a quick question. I moved my gooseberry bush to a different part of the garden last year. Bit more shaded and it looks really healthy. But there is no sign of any fruit. Don’t know what type it is. Do you think it’s maybe taking a year off or just late producing?

[ameno]

Can I just jump on this gooseberry thread and ask a quick question. I moved my gooseberry bush to a different part of the garden last year. Bit more shaded and it looks really healthy. But there is no sign of any fruit. Don’t know what type it is. Do you think it’s maybe taking a year off or just late producing?

It must be taking a year off (or maybe you pruned it too hard?).
Gooseberries flower on old wood at bud burst, so that was a good couple months ago now.

[nickdub]

Can I just jump on this gooseberry thread and ask a quick question. I moved my gooseberry bush to a different part of the garden last year. Bit more shaded and it looks really healthy. But there is no sign of any fruit. Don’t know what type it is. Do you think it’s maybe taking a year off or just late producing?

Obviously impossible to be sure, as it really mainly depends on how shady the new site is unless other factors are involved. As a rough guide I'd say you can probably expect about half the crop in partial shade, that you would get in full sun.

The other possible factors include birds which will sometimes eat the flower buds in Early Spring if other food is scarce.

If the leaves look a good colour and there are plenty of them, then I'd definitely give it another year to see how it goes. You might also want to start a few more plants off from cuttings which would give you some flexibility.

[burnie]

Mildew has done for my crop again, I have cut the plant down to the ground so as deter it spreading to another more resistant bush nearby, I will decide on it's fate in the autumn.

[bramble]

Sorry to hear about your gooseberry crop.
I am almost afraid to say, but so far so good.
My red variety Hinnonmaki is doing well with lots of fruits just turning red.
I wont be happy until they are in the freezer.
Dreaded squirrel back again.

[annie8]

It must be taking a year off (or maybe you pruned it too hard?).
Gooseberries flower on old wood at bud burst, so that was a good couple months ago now.

Think you’re right I must have pruned too hard. Lots of lovely green growth isn’t going to get me any fruit!

[ameno]

Think you’re right I must have pruned too hard. Lots of lovely green growth isn’t going to get me any fruit!

Yeah, if you cut back hard you won't get any fruit that year. It may be for the best, though, seeing as you've just transplanted it. Gives it time to establish.