Black currants are long-lived shrubs that can live up to 30-40 years. In order for them to grow well and bear fruit abundantly all this time, it is necessary to systematically rejuvenate the bush. Failure to prune causes less and less new growths to grow over the years and the bush grows old.At some point it may happen that almost only old, poorly fruiting branches will remain.
In order to prevent this from happening, you need to stimulate the bush to sprout young shoots. We will achieve this easily by removing some of the oldest branches. After such x-rays, new growths begin to grow from the sleeping buds at the base of the bush. It is easier because more light now reaches the inside of the plant.The main purpose of pruning is therefore to maintain an appropriate number of young fruiting shoots.
The most productive shoots are one- and two-year-olds. A few-year-old, properly shaped blackcurrant shrub should consist of about the same number of one-year and two-, three- and four-year-old shoots.All older branches can be cut down without fear.
Three cutting terms
Currants can be trimmed in three dates. The most popular period is the end of winter and early spring. However, due to the risk of damaging the already swollen buds, it must be cut very carefully.You have to be especially careful when removing the cut branches so as not to break off the delicate buds.Another, much better time for shrub formation is the period immediately after the harvest.
Carrying out the pruning during vegetation, when the bushes are still fully leafed, we can see many details.First of all, we can easily notice any unfavorable changes, such as premature yellowing and drying of the leaves, which may indicate damage to the shoots. We will cut these out first.The third possible period for the formation of currants is autumn.
Stand for currants
If the clusters are short and thinning during the harvest of blackcurrants, it means that the fruit set badly.One of the possible causes is a bad growing position, exposed to spring frosts.Currants they bloom in April and drops in temperature during this period damage the flowers.
For this reason, choose sheltered places and places on slopes for the stand for currants.We avoid planting in depressions of the terrain where there may be frost pools.
