Currant bush needs a haircut!

[Gadget]

This is the patch of current bush's that were left on the plot and haven't been touch for about 3 years.

The one to the left doesn't have many berrys but what it does have are in side and low down. Can I cut this back? If so how drastic can I be?

[Two_Sheds]

What type of currant? (looks like blackcurrant from here).

You should be pruning a third of the bush out every year

BBC - Gardening - Gardening Guides - Techniques - How to prune soft fruit

^ there's a link there

[Gadget]

I don't know what sort, how do I tell? I will prune, only had the allotment a week :-)

Do I prune while its fruiting or do I wait?

[veggiechicken]

Rub the leaves. If they smell like blackcurrants, its a blackcurrant!! Don't prune while they're fruiting. If its blackcurrant, cut off the branches that fruit.

[Gadget]

Great thanks I will have sniff tomorrow? It's really to big and needs a pruning back as much as possible but I don't know how far I can take it

[rustylady]

Don't do anything to it yet - wait till the fruit has ripened.

Did you read the link that TwoSheds provided? "You can combine pruning with picking the fruit, or wait until winter".

[Gadget]

Oh didn't notice the link

[Gadget]

Great, thanks two sheds :-)

[Paulieb]

As the others have said.....really try to wait till the winter. The leaves will have dropped off and you'll be able to see the whole framework of the bush. Obviously if you really need to remove branches to harvest then try to only remove the thickest branches (and they can go back to the base if possible - but no more than a third of the whole plant).

Then follow the usual guidelines of pruning a blackcurrant.

By cutting it back now you won't gain anything (extra fruit, etc), and by leaving the branches on the bush, its all extra energy for the plant.

[Gadget]

Great thanks Paulieb