Gooseberry mildew - will they recover?

[Shayna]

Last year my 5 year old cordon gooseberry bushes had mildew (they are interplanted with strawberries). I tried to be organic and sprayed with Epsom salts and managed to save a few gooseberries. This year I watered regularly but there has been no fruit and the leaves have purply-brown patches. I am now trying a potassium (something) spray. Should I give up all hope and dig them up or persevere and hope that they recover next year?

Any advice would be appreciated please.

[gojiberry]

As the bushes have not fruited this year it would indicate that they are not happy. Gooseberry leaves usually have a purple colouration especially when they are older. As they had mildew last your you need to look at the growing conditions as it is caused by poor air circulation. Firstly I would not underplant gooseberries with anything, secondly look to see if the bush needs pruning and take into account that you need a very open centre. Hope this is a help, you may however be tempted to try with some fresh plants.

Ian