Blackcurrant disease

[Nottinghamnewbie]

I wonder who can help me? For the past two years my two blackcurrant bushes have had a type of grey mould on most fruiting stems. The harvest has been very low though there was the potential for a lot.
What is it? What should I do? Do I need to dig them up or can I do something to sort the problem so things get better next year?

[Aberdeenplotter]

In the days when a tar oil winter wash was available, I would have done that. However these products are no longer available. My own inclination would be to wash my flowerpots in a solution of ***** fluid and water (1:50) over the bushes and that should have the same effect. p.s. ***** only approved as a cleanining substance these days

[rustylady]

Are your blackcurrants planted in the open ground? Do they have plenty of space round them?

[Snadger]

Are your blackcurrants planted in the open ground? Do they have plenty of space round them?

I was thinking that also RL?

Plant blackcurrants on top of a windy hill and fungal problems should be avoided!

[Nottinghamnewbie]

I think I've given the wrong impression - it's not on the stems but on the fruiting buds and right at the end of the stems. If I were to use the ***** idea when should I do that?
I don't think they're short of space although I hadn't pruned them. I have just pruned them but not sure how much to cut out.
Do you think I should get rid of them? - I'm loathe to do that because it'll take a year or two to get any fruit from new plants.

[rustylady]

You still haven't told us whether they are in open ground or in containers, in your garden, or on an allotment. Do you have any pictures? How old are the bushes? I really don't think you need to get rid of them, just try and find out what is causing the problem.

[singleseeder]

I was thinking that also RL?

Plant blackcurrants on top of a windy hill and fungal problems should be avoided!

I heard Bob Flowerdew, on GQT, suggest to someone that blackcurrants did well in boggy ground. He'd chucked one in a pond in a fit of pique and he said it was still doing well. He didn't mention fungus though.

I was going to put some in the 'wet' end of my plot to see how they did - now I'm moving plots they are staying in their buckets a bit longer.

[Aberdeenplotter]

. If I were to use the ***** idea when should I do that?
I have just pruned them but not sure how much to cut out.
Do you think I should get rid of them?

As soon as the leaves have all dropped for the *****. Most of the books recommend that one third of the old growth be pruned out annually. I would give them at least another year to try to perform.


In the meantime, try to get yourself a copy of the RHS publication - Fruit - by Harry Baker. There are normally second hand copies available on Amazon for a whole penny + postage. Well worth the expense as the advice given is detailed and includes pruning diagrams and advice as to the fertilisers to apply in Spring as well as loads of other useful info.

[VirginVegGrower]

In the days when a tar oil winter wash was available, I would have done that. However these products are no longer available. My own inclination would be to wash my flowerpots in a solution of ***** fluid and water (1:50) over the bushes and that should have the same effect. p.s. ***** only approved as a cleanining substance these days

I just love eau de ***** - takes me back to my childhood

[VirginVegGrower]

I heard Bob Flowerdew, on GQT, suggest to someone that blackcurrants did well in boggy ground. He'd chucked one in a pond in a fit of pique and he said it was still doing well. He didn't mention fungus though.

I was going to put some in the 'wet' end of my plot to see how they did - now I'm moving plots they are staying in their buckets a bit longer.

They love wet and water - thirstiest of the currants. I mulch mine well.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I just love eau de ***** - takes me back to my childhood

I washed down the inside of one of my glasshouses today, used a paint brush to get into the crevices and I stink of *****. My lovely better half hates the smell so I'm in the doghouse.

[VirginVegGrower]

I love it...it was always my job to clean my nan's yard with watered down ***** and a brush. I use it for my greenhouse, pots, until recently the henhouse, paths and steps. Like all the old stuff - it works!
You could try dousing yourself in comfrey feed - she will hate that more and forgive you the JF!

[Aberdeenplotter]

Settle down, I couldn't even live with myself with the stench of comfrey feed

[VirginVegGrower]

I got soaked in it a few weeks back. It really is very pongy!

[sewer rat]

To my nose, home-made liquid comfrey feed has to be the single most disgusting smell in any garden. It really is rank.