Beginners wouldn’t find difficulties in blackcurrant growing conditions. These plants are considered very easy to maintain than other similar plants.
Yet, they still need good maintenance, particularly on both feeding and pruning generously. This is to ensure that they obtain a proper crop.
Growing conditions of blackcurrant are important for gardeners. Blackcurrants don’t grow well anywhere. They need certain conditions that support the overall growth.
Keep reading to find out further about the requirements for growing blackcurrant properly.
Pay Attention to Blackcurrant Growing Conditions
First of all, gardeners should know about the right place to grow. They grow well in a site with good shelter though it needs strong sun exposure, whether full or partial light.
For the best condition, blackcurrant needs fertile and acidic soil with good drainage.
The planting season of blackcurrants is best during fall to spring. It is best to start in October and not later than March in most four seasoned countries.
But, gardeners can grow bushes within a pot or container anytime. It depends on overall conditions.
Then, there is a certain condition for the distance for planting. Make sure that the planting is at least 1.5m apart. The planting area preparation requires gardeners to dig a hole, just about twice the pot diameter.
Composting and Watering
Next, it requires composting that mixes well with the soil in the planting area. Whenever visible, use the previous soil mark that reaches approximately 2 inches underneath the surface.
After a few days, gardeners should gently replace the soil by healing it back in. Then, adding fertilizers can start as it will start the growing root process.
Don’t forget to water the plants well. Watering the plants should be done approximately five centimeters from the soil level. It is important to ensure that the watering process is routine yet with adequate water.
Pruning Plays An Important Role
When will be the best time for pruning? It is not a secret that pruning is one of the most crucial activities that relate to the blackcurrant growing conditions.
There might not be certain schedules of pruning. But, it is recommended to prune less than two years before the planting process.
Besides pruning, removing old stems is also very crucial. Usually, it should take place after two years of planting. Gardeners can check whether they find it stems with the darkest colors.
It is easy to notice that they appear different from new pale shoots. All branches should be kept less than four years old.
Pay attention to the process of pruning. Bushes shouldn’t grow too much. Prune the dormant bush, which has been there for three years.
Cutting them should be at at least a 45-degree angle. This is to avoid water rot. Damaged branches should be pruned away. They usually grow laterally.
The best t thing about blackcurrant growing conditions is that gardeners won’t find difficulties in pruning as those bushes don’t have thorns.
There will be no accidental moment of hurting hands or fingers. Pruning is much faster and easier, so it doesn’t make gardeners work harder in this task.
Regular Maintenance before Harvesting
It is important to pay attention to routine weeding. But, it is best to use your hand for weeding. This ensures that the roots don’t get damaged, just like when gardeners use a hoe.
Using a hoe is still fine, as long as gardeners are careful enough to keep the roots away from damage.
During this process, make sure that the blackcurrant still gets good watering. This is particularly during dry weather spells. When spring is coming, fertilizer is required as blackcurrants require a routine feeding cycle.
What kind of fertilizer is good for blackcurrant? Gardeners should choose the one that is rich in potassium. It helps the fruits to grow well. Yet, it is important to keep away birds and insects by covering the bushes, particularly when the fruit ripens.
Other Important Steps to Notice
There are indeed different conditions in an area where gardeners should prune the blackcurrant. However, the best time for pruning the bush is when it is already dormant or inactive.
Pruning blackcurrants means thinning out the bush, not cutting back the branches.
Don’t hesitate to prune. Remove at least a third part of the shrub. By doing so, fruit production is better as there are lots of light and air. The bush can get a good environment that supports the maximum growth of blackcurrant.
Best Ways to Prune
Gardeners should ensure that they prune the older branches before others. This is because the younger branches produce fruit. Old branches are the ones with a darker hue and more jagged skin.
Damaged branches should be eliminated right away as they can cause disease.
Another recommended step is pruning branches that cross one another. This is to ensure that harvesting is much easier. Yet, keep hold of young stems that look best for ensuring a fine crop.
This step is worth trying on all kinds of blackcurrant growing conditions.