whats the matter with my gooseberry bush

[brynley]

i have a gooseberry bush the two years i noticed a white powderer substance on fruit and leaves can you help pics not very good

[FB.]

Most likely powdery mildew. Some varieties are particularly prone to it, while some varieties show good natural resistance.
On susceptible varieties, it needs to be "nipped in the bud" and removed as soon as the slightest traces are seen. Once established, it can be a devastating disease - killing all new shoots and fruits.

Chemicals are available, but as I am a spray-free grower I am not familiar with the current recommended fungicides for gooseberry mildew. I prefer to use naturally resistant varieties.

[brynley]

if you could tell me the name on the pics it as been in that position for 90 odd years as huge thorns on it

[Two_Sheds]

Powdery is a very good adjective for the disorder "powdery mildew" ... my comfrey has it at the mo, and I expect my squashes to succumb any moment

[BUFFS]

Powdery is a very good adjective for the disorder "powdery mildew" ... my comfrey has it at the mo, and I expect my squashes to succumb any moment

gooseberries seem to be a magnet for powdery mildew,keep the bush in a goblet shape,take out all the centre stems,this will give a healthier plant and also help cut down sawfly damage as the small birds can then get into them,then give it a good general feed and mulch,you should find you have a more productive healthier bush next year..good luck with it...

[Aberdeenplotter]

Powdery is a very good adjective for the disorder "powdery mildew" ... my comfrey has it at the mo, and I expect my squashes to succumb any moment

At the first sign of mildew, spray the plant with full cream milk(jersey milk if you can get it). Works like magic. If your sprayer clogs, pump some hot water through it to clear again and get back to spraying.