Currantsare eagerly grown for their taste and he alth properties. Currants can be eaten raw, they are also perfect for preserves. The prerequisite for a high yield is appropriatecutting currant bushesProperly pruned currants root better after planting, branching, flowering is more abundant, fruit more fertile and resistance to diseases increases. Seehow and when to prune currantsto enjoy large yields of he althy fruit!
How and when to trim currants?
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1. First cut of currants after planting
The first currant cutting is performed after planting the plantsGeneral rules for trimming currants after planting are the same for all varieties (red, black and white currants). Shoots are pruned over 1-2 holes above the ground. The cut shoots are covered with a 2-3 cm layer of soil, thus preventing them from freezing.
Prune freshly planted currants before winterdue to their high rooting ability. Shrubs planted in the fall grow quickly, making good use of the spring's water resources in the soil. The pruning treatment stimulates the plants to create numerous strong, he althy shoots and branching.
We canperform the first cutting of the currants in springbut on the condition that we do it relatively early, before starting the vegetation ( end of February - beginning of March). Black currants are the earliest to start vegetation among cultivated varieties. After starting the vegetation, the currants are not pruned , because the treatment weakens the bushes then.
2. Sanitary cutting of currants
After the first cutting of currants, do not prune the bushes for the next 3-4 years (depending on the species). Only the annualsanitary cutting of the currantis necessary, i.e. removal of sick, mechanically damaged, frozen, excessively thickening or creeping shoots. Remove all shoots just above the ground.
3. Rules for cutting black currant bushes after 3 years
In the case of black currants, the actual pruning is carried out in the 4th year after planting.It should be carried out annually, together with the previously implemented sanitary pruning. First, all diseased, damaged shoots are removed, then the oldest ones, ie older than 3-4 years old, and 5-6 year-olds, 2-3 two-year-olds and similarly 3-year-olds are left behind. Black currants bear the most fruit on young ones, i.e.last year's and 2-3 summer's shoots. Therefore, all shoots that bear fruit for more than 3 years should be cut.
Blackcurrant pruning treatmentcan be performed at the end of summer (after harvest), in autumn, at the end of winter, at the latest in early spring, before flower buds are formed. Pruning too late causes the plant to shed flower buds and consequently to a reduction in the fruit yield. Start cutting the shoots from the outside, gradually moving towards the center of the bush, because removing only the external shoots causes the plant to become too dense. In turn, excessive cutting of shoots from the central part may lead to the accumulation of external shoots.
4. Pruning red and white currants after 4 years
Proper pruning of red and white currants is carried out from the 5th year after planting.However, earlier, in the third year, during the termination of vegetation (in winter), pruning is carried out, which stimulates the fruiting process.Shoots are pruned leaving up to 5 buds on them. In the following years, one-year-old shoots, grown from shoots pruned in the previous year, are shortened, leaving 3 to 5 buds. Taking into account the fact that red and white currants bear fruit on both young (1-2 years old) and 5-6 years old shoots, from the 5th yearshould cut so that 3-4 shoots from each remain on the bush yearEvery year, the oldest 2-3 shoots growing at the base of the bush are removed. The purpose of the treatment is to x-ray the bush, thanks to which new, young shoots can develop freely.Sanitary cutting is also performed annually
Currant bushes are pruned according to the rules appropriate for a given species . After planting, the shrubs shorten less, ie over 4-5 mesh. It should be remembered to additionally remove all the shoots that have grown below the vaccination sites and from the substrate.
To cut currants correctlyyou should use sharp tools (pruning shears, scissors).In such a case, uneven and jagged wounds that can lead to infection with fungal diseases are not allowed to develop. It is recommended to use an antifungal horticultural ointment, eg Funaben 03 PA, in the place of cutting.
Currant bushes not pruned or trimmed too poorly , they gradually reduce fruiting. The fruits are small and there are few of them. The bushes are aging. Unproductive shoots grow excessively and currant bushes become less resistant to disease and pest attacks.
Become confident in pruning fruit plants
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This is the second part of the best-selling book "Cutting School", in which the authors Lucyna and Alicja Grabowskieexplained in a simple and clear way the secrets of cuttingornamental plants. The first book The School of Cutting for its simple language and clear, accurate drawings was loved by garden owners all over Poland. The book quickly became a bestseller- 20,000 copies sold! "
"Cutting School 2" will make youconfident in pruning fruit trees and shrubsand learn to cut plants so that they grow according to your expectations and bear fruit abundantly. After reading this book, your approach to pruning plants will probably change completely!
