Black Current Production

[nohorn]

The first year after planting healthy black current starts, some production resulted. Year two there is nothing and now year three, nothing. The bushes are huge, any suggestions as to why they suddenly quit producing.
They are suppposed to grow well where I live. They get adquate sun, etc. Am I doing something wrong (Zone 4).

[Buenchico]

>>>The bushes are huge

That might be an important clue. It sounds as if you've not be pruning them adequately and removing weak shoots.

Quote:
" Prune blackcurrants when dormant – from late autumn to late winter. Fruit forms on young wood, so when pruning aim to remove older wood, leaving the young shoots.

Up to and including the fourth year after planting, remove weak, wispy shoots, retaining a basic structure of six to 10 healthy shoots. After year four, cut out about one-third of the older wood at the base, using a pair of loppers or a pruning saw. This will encourage and make room for younger, healthy wood. Also remove weak shoots and low ones leaning towards the ground"

Source:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/fruit/blackcurrants

[nohorn]

Thank you B

[Chipchopper]

Have the bushes flowered ?.
It could be that the currants may have been eaten by birds, therefore netting may be necessary.
Lush growth may indicate that nitrogen levels are too high.
just a thought.

[thugulike]

I found Chris' answer confusing. In my experience, and I grow a huge amount of blackcurrants, the fruit appears on last years wood. I cut away the new growth each year and leave the woody stems. Works for me. They do need a hard frost each winter though. I live in N Cumbria so that isn't a problem.