Does my gooseberry plant need a mate?

[Gazza]

Trying to grow our own fruit {as well as veg} this year and have been given a gooseberry plant Do I need more than one to help it bear fruit? The word pollination keeps coming to mind! Maybe its something from my school days 30 years ago!!

[carlseawolf]

i only have one and it had fruit last year but other plots have some on aswell so it could have been wind pollinated.

[allotmentlady]

No you will be fine, just make sure that the branches dont intertwine, so that air can go round freely, otheriwse they will get diseased. Prune at the end of the season but give it plenty of space and support with canes. Good Luck.

[Gazza]

Thanks for that. Yes its got plenty of space, and I'll watch for intertwining.

[Paulottie]

I have only just acquired a secnod one and have had no shortage of fruit in the past. It is true that you should prune out the center and keep the bush open to avoid mildew and sawfly.

[Flummery]

Only one gooseberry bush needed - but don't look under it - you know what you find there!

[terrier]

Do Gooseberry plants require full sun to ripen the friut? I 've just rescued half a doz plants from a waterlogged area in my garden. The only place I could put them was in the Rhubarb patch which is heavily shaded by HC trees.

[Flummery]

Mine's in semi shade and fruits like the blazes.

[Gazza]

Certainly wont be looking under it! HaHa. Coudnt do all that again, its my time now!