Blackcurrant Bushes.

[ACB312]

I have a few blackcurrant bushes and want some more. What's the best way to cut/root/transplant and when please?

[WendyS]

Haven't so far tried blackcurrant sbut gooseberries operate in the same way. In the autumn I cut off a shoot, dipped it into hormone rooting powder, and potted it up in compost, keeping it in a sheltered place outdoors during the winter. It has thrived and lots of new shoots are now appearing. But if you can't wait until autumn, why not try this with a few shoots now, keeping them in pots for a couple of years until the roots establish themselves. Am sure you'll probably be lucky, especially if you put a clear polythene bag over them to keep the atmosphere humid. You'll certainly save yourself some money generating plants in this way. Alternatively, if you've you got some clear ground, you could always try sticking a couple of shoots direct into the ground in late spring and keeping them watered. You might be lucky and find the take root.

[don1982]

We have lots of success each year - when you collect fruit late summer cut off a branch and cut this into pieces at a leaf joint - stick in a large filled plant pot - AROUND THE EDGE OF THE POT none away from pot side ( dont ask - it just works) wet and dip rooting powder helps too - then put in shade away from wind and TLC over winter - plant out come spring

[ACB312]

Thank you. I'll try these out. I've been quite brutal with pruning and they seem to be bouncing back OK. My garden was looked after by my wife's uncle, who lived with us, but he died last year and I'm on a steep learning curve and am now realising how much work he did.