Whats up with my blackcurrant?

[Brack]

I've got a few blackcurrant bushes, but this one looks a bit unwell this year:






anyone got any ideas on how to fix it? it was planted last spring, did OK last year. it's Titania I think. It isn't in the sunniest of spots and it is at the top of a slope, so might be a bit dry, but my Ben Sarek is in a similar position on the slope about 15' further along and does well (it gets more sun though).

thanks

[nickdub]

Looks like magnesium deficiency to me - you could try watering on some Epsom salts to see if that helps - if it does, then there are various long term measures for tackling the problem.

[Brack]

I'll give that a go. It didn't look like a disease to me but I hadn't thought about nutrient deficiencies, my soil is clay based and remarkably fertile, especially for creeping buttercup...
Having said that this patch of border does actually stay bare once weeded, so maybe it's the only duff soil I have!

[nickdub]

Sometimes you get odd bits in garden soil where builders have dumped some waste or whatever - if it is a bit of poorer ground, then a few years of top dressing with manure ought to sort it out .