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- Ribes
Plant Profile: Ribes - Blackcurrant / Redcurrant
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Ribes rubrum "Redcurrent" |
Family: Grossulariaceae Common Name(s): Blackcurrant, Redcurrant Native to: Redcurrants: Western Europe. Blackcurrants: Northern Europe/Asia Fruiting: Summer Watering: Water regularly, keeping soil moist Planting Aspect: Full sun to part shade Preferred Climate:
Temperate, SubtropicalDescriptionDelicious, juicy and vitamin packed Currants are produced from clumping bushes formed from long, arching canes which make new suckers from the base each year. The bush grows to a height of approximately 1.5 m and up to 1 metre across. Currants are best suited to growing in the cooler more temperate climatic zones but do require good sunshine and protection from strong winds. They can be either planted in rows or positioned individually around the garden. |
CultivationA fully frost hardy bush that simply requires a rich, moist and free draining soil in a sunny to semi-shaded position. Prepare the growing site by digging over the soil and adding a good handful of blood and bone, rich compost or well decayed animal manure prior to planting out. If planting in rows, leave at least 1.5 m between the bushes. Plants will respond well to regular applications of liquid fertiliser and watering throughout the growing season.Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum) After the planted canes are established, prune them back to the fourth bud above the base in the first year. This will result in 3 to 6 new shoots emerging the following season. Next winter these new shoots should be pruned back to about one third their length to an outward facing bud. The following winter, more, shorter lateral shoots will be produced and these should be cut back to 1 or 2 buds in length. Aim to have a reasonably open centred bush surrounded by 8 to 10 main leaders. From the fourth year onwards, prune branches back to about a quarter of their new growth. The bushes take about 4 to 5 years to reach full size. With a heavy cropping bush, branches may need to be staked to prevent breakage. Spray with Bordeaux in winter to reduce leaf diseases and protect the plants from aphids and red spider mites. Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) Black Currants differ in their growing habits to Red currants in that they produce most of their fruit on the previous year’s growth. Prune to encourage a supply of new wood each season. Cut all stems of the newly planted bush to about 2 buds above soil level. New suckers will sprout from the base and prune out some of the older canes in the second season. Leave about 6 to 8 upward growing main shoots to form an open centred bush. No shoot rising from the base of the plant should remain in place longer than 3 years. The bushes take about 4 to 5 years to reach full size. Spray with Bordeaux in winter to reduce leaf diseases and protect the plants from aphids and red spider mites. |
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Revised: 17th Dec 2009 @ 9:45 AM
Keywords: ribes, blackcurrant / redcurrant, grossulariaceae, ribes, bush, blackcurrant, redcurrant, growing, shoots, season, base
Keywords: ribes, blackcurrant / redcurrant, grossulariaceae, ribes, bush, blackcurrant, redcurrant, growing, shoots, season, base