Redcurrants, aphids and old plants
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 12:31 pm
Two redcurrant questions. Apologies for length of posting!
Firstly, aphids on our newest redcurrant bushes are causing dark red blisters on some leaves so I have removed all the affected leaves. In previous years only the top growing tips have been affected, curling up over the aphids, so I just snip them off. There appears to be no long term effect on the crop. So the first question is, if I carry on doing both things would this treatment be adequate or is there something else you would suggest? These bushes are growing in full sun.
The second question concerns old redcurrant bushes in a different area of the garden to the newer ones. These are about 30 years old, pruned and mulched every year with our home made compost and a layer of hops from the local brewery. We usually enjoy a good crop, although last year not so good. This year I see that two of the bushes have died off and two or three others look a bit spindly. I put this down to erratic pruning this winter but I am beginning to think they are just too old and need some drastic action. Interestingly, this group of bushes shows no sign of aphids at the moment. These old bushes are growing in part of the garden which does not get full sun.
Three alternatives, do I:
Persevere and carry on pruning and mulching each year or
Hard prune in the hope of re-envigorating growth or
Dig them up and plant something else in this area.
I should be very grateful for any advice.
Firstly, aphids on our newest redcurrant bushes are causing dark red blisters on some leaves so I have removed all the affected leaves. In previous years only the top growing tips have been affected, curling up over the aphids, so I just snip them off. There appears to be no long term effect on the crop. So the first question is, if I carry on doing both things would this treatment be adequate or is there something else you would suggest? These bushes are growing in full sun.
The second question concerns old redcurrant bushes in a different area of the garden to the newer ones. These are about 30 years old, pruned and mulched every year with our home made compost and a layer of hops from the local brewery. We usually enjoy a good crop, although last year not so good. This year I see that two of the bushes have died off and two or three others look a bit spindly. I put this down to erratic pruning this winter but I am beginning to think they are just too old and need some drastic action. Interestingly, this group of bushes shows no sign of aphids at the moment. These old bushes are growing in part of the garden which does not get full sun.
Three alternatives, do I:
Persevere and carry on pruning and mulching each year or
Hard prune in the hope of re-envigorating growth or
Dig them up and plant something else in this area.
I should be very grateful for any advice.