Kitchen Garden Forum

Several weeks ago a bought a blackcurrant bush and a gooseberry bush to go in my new fruit cage. I transferred them immediately from the nursery's pots into big pots, so as to keep them in the greenhouse until planting out after the worst of the frosts. Both have flourished but in the last few days the Blackie has started to wilt, the leaves are curling and some are tinged with brown 'rust' round the edges. The Goosie seems OK.
What has happened? Both are in identical compost/soil and have been on a bench, standing in drain trays, so probably not ants.
MOST IMPORTANT POINT: I am about to plant out and would normally try and preserve the 'pot rootball' as intact as possible. Should I now, with the Blackie, clean off all the soil and plant the bare roots in 'new' ground in the cage? Or will that kill the bush?
Thanks for guidance! John N.

Afternoon JohnN, i would definately take it out of it's new pot to see whats happening with the root system.
You will be able to see if the roots have grown into the new compost, or whether they have died back for some reason, maybe down to being to wet.

This might give you a clue to what's been going on.

I agree with OH, look at the roots, might be vine weevils. It might have been scorched if you've had the sunshine we've had. You might as well plant it as it is a bit late to start again. Were you intending to follow traditional advice and cut it down or leave the top on?

OH & Geoff
Thanks. The bushes have been in the big pots for several weeks, but I may have overwatered. If the roots appear OK and are spread thro' the soil, should I plant it complete with the same soil, or clean it off?
I did cut the bush back when I first bought it - it is now about 14" high - so I was planning to plant out as it is, same with Goosie.
John N

Dear JohnN, I would just get it planted and see what happens, but as Geoff thoughtfully said, do just check for Vine weevil grubs.

Good luck.

Have just replanted Blackcurrent bush. No sign of bugs on the roots BUT: roots had not expanded outside of soil of original smaller pot, ie.there was a 'wall' of small roots in a circle and when I lifted bush from big pot it came quite easily and left a perfectly circular hole with about 2" thickness of soil/compost left intact all round to the walls of the big pot, and no roots in it!. Seems like they didn't like the filling I used, (a mixture of John Innes No 2 and compost from my heap). Perhaps it was too acid for a Blackie, and might explain why the Goosie seems to be thriving?

Hopefully it will pick up now in the ground, it's amazing how plants can pick up when set loose .

Before you put it in the ground did you attack this wall and "tease it out" somewhat?

Yes, thanks, Peter. Did that when looking for nasties!

I hope they are recovering now they are planted out. They probably got too hot in the greenhouse and this showed in the browning of the blackcurrant leaves. They would have been OK left outside in their pots until you were ready.

They should be fine now so long as you don't let them dry out - just keep the soil moist but not soaked until the roots get established.

Hi JohnN,
To look for Vine Weevil you have to really probe up to the plant plate as those little buggers can hide right up in the top inside of the root ball.
They then chew the roots of the plate.
JB.

Thanks everyone for your interest and help. Bushes now planted, but I don't know if I can prevent overwatering, Plum P, - it's been p.......g with rain ever since I put them in!