Currant bushes

[Dorothy rouse]

Is it possible that my currant bushes are not looking as good as everyone else's, because we left the 'fruit netting' over the fruit cage over the winter? It is proper 'fruit netting, quite a large mesh.

Last year was their first year and they did very well, but looking this morning other peoples who haven't covered theirs with netting seem ladened with fruit compared to mine.

I did prune them a bit, and gave them a feed a couple of weeks ago.

Have a wrecked them? Please don't say 'yes', but if I have, can I rectify ?

Thanks

[KarlB924]

Got a pic? We'll be able to tell better if they're alright

[Kristen]

Seems unlikely to have caused a problem.

I have read that taking the netting off in the winter allows the birds to eat bugs on the plants ...

I take mine off because when it snows (not a problem last winter obviously!!) it settles on the netting and the weight collapses the whole netting & frame, and thereby damages the bushes too.

[rustylady]

When did you prune them Dotty?

[Dorothy rouse]

Pruned them around Feb time.

Would have taken netting off if it had snowed but we had very mild winter here, so didn't.

Will try take some photos, they are maybe too close? They do have flowers on them, just everyone else's look better, and theirs aren't under netting.

[Scarlet]

I prune mine in late Autumn, though not sure that would make a difference. I have half a dozen bushes - early, mid and a late variety with the difference in leaf growth very noticeable, perhaps you've just got a later variety than the ones around you?

[dod]

might the netting be stopping pollinators from getting to the flowers?

[Scarlet]

Just taken a couple of photos to show the difference, planted in a long row in the garden. An early variety and a late one. Haven't got my notebook to remind me of names! ...and again, sorry I'm on my phone and I'm not sure how those photos keep coming in the wrong way round!!!

[Kristen]

might the netting be stopping pollinators from getting to the flowers?

Don't think that would influence the number of flowers (just the amount of fruit that sets)

[Samurailord]

They look healthy enough to me.

Were the others that you are comparing with also in their second year, or are they older?

It may be something as simple as variations in amounts of sun and water that they get, or the richness of the soil they are planted in.

They could also be different varieties so the amount of harvest you should expect could be wildly different.

A second year plant wont give huge amounts of fruit, try to be patient and look after them and I'm sure you will have loads of fruit next year and the year after.

I prune my blackcurrant when I harvest, it makes it easier to get the fruit and also makes sure that I do prune.

Andy