I had so much useful advice on my raspberries, that I thought I’d give this one a go too.
My blackcurrants, have only been in a couple of years. Last year had some fruit but not much. This year, lots of branch and leaf growth, but not a sign of any fruit. I know the soil needs some work, but gooseberries and red currants in the same bed are doing OK’ish.
Any suggestions?
I live in zone 6 and all of my black currants are producing fruit abudantly. You might want to check what variety you have. Some varieties produce better. I alsow know squires and birds lick them.
maybe too much nitrogen? mine have always started with a small crop in year 2 and big crop in year 3. by year 5 are in full production. they say they’re heavy feeders but i only give some chic manure and they produce like crazy. could be my clay soil is giving enough nutrients to make up for it.
I have had problem with this with strawberries. You may be right.
Thanks Moose and Happy. I also have clay soil so maybe something else. How do I check the variety. All I remember is that they were advertised as giant fruits! Can one tell the variety by the leaf shape for instance?
I haven’t grown them, but from everything I’ve read, they really prefer a neutral soil. As with all plants, if it’s outside their preferred ph range, they will have trouble up taking certain nutrients. Aside from that, if you suspect too much nitrogen, maybe hit it with some bone meal or bloom fertilizer to try and balance it.
That’s a good question Bernie, i have about eight different varieties of currants and with the exception of the clover currant all the leaves are about the same in appearence.
Bernie, our soil in southwest France is very different than in the US. I’ve grown currants for over 30 years. I am growing mine in large pots with excellent potting soil which they enjoy. It is worth a trip to Burgundy to see the excellent black currants growing there (capital of Cassis black currants). Check the French sites for French black currant diseases. My black currants are new in pots this year and are fruiting. The first thing I learned growing Fruit here vs RI is that the soil, insects, and fungi are different. Makes sense.
@mrsg47 Agreed. My wife who looks after the flowers, has found that French roses are much more resilient to both dry spells and all sorts of diseases. The ones I’ve got were bought here and from a French grower, but of course may have been imported from a non-French grower.
I’ll persevere and it no better after lifting last winter and making significant organic improvements to the soil, i’ll buy some new ones but choose them with more care.
Where do you live? Have you all put yourselves on the map?
What map?
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If you’ve only one cultivar—I noticed you mentioned “variety” in the singular—that could be your problem. As I understand it, blackcurrants are not often self-fertile; and those that are still benefit from cross-pollination. Perhaps adding one or more different varieties to your planting would result in better yields?