Undoubtedly, every summer resident, having acquired high-quality planting material and grown it himself, hopes to get a good harvest. Judging by the reviews, many gardeners complain that currants bear fruit poorly. In some cases, double purple inflorescences are formed during the flowering period. Often bushes stand without berries. What to do if the garden crop is not happy with the harvest? It is worth noting that yield is a variable characteristic that is influenced by various factors. For what reasons does this crop not bear fruit? You can find answers to these questions in the article.
Where to begin
First of all, you need to choose the right planting material. In the future, the yield of the fruit crop will depend on the quality of the cuttings, and therefore the choice should be made on healthy and strong specimens. The grey-brown bark should not have dry areas or cracks. Buy cuttings with a well-developed and branched root system, the length of which should be at least 20 cm. A seedling with at least three young 50-centimeter shoots with fruit-bearing buds is considered high-quality.
It is possible that the roots may have minor damage. Mostly this occurs as a result of inept excavation. If you have acquired such seedlings, carefully trim the roots with pruning shears before planting. If you notice that they have begun to dry out, then keep them in water for twelve hours.
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Next, after the soaking procedure, it will be possible to place them in the ground. Experienced gardeners recommend acquiring seedlings that are at least two years old. Such specimens will adapt better to new conditions.
Rules for pruning
In order not to harm the bush with illiterate pruning, you must follow certain rules:
- The tool must be clean and sharp so as not to warp the wood.
- Dry weather should occur during manipulations. This reduces the risk of infection through wounds.
- All removed branches are destroyed - burned or left to rot away from the bush.
- Sick and weakened shoots are cut off at the root.
- Branches requiring rejuvenation are cut down to the fifth bud from the root.
- Simultaneously with rejuvenation, it is good to further thin out the thickets.
Important! Cutting off excess shoots at the root stimulates the formation of new branches.
As a result of pruning, the strongest and most productive branches will remain on the bush, while weakened and unproductive branches will be removed. Then the plant will have more strength to produce fruits and grow young shoots.
About soil quality
Soil composition is one of the important factors affecting currant yield. This crop bears fruit best if it grows in moist, fertile and breathable soil. It is advisable to plant shrubs in sandy, chernozem and loamy areas, the soil of which has neutral acidity. It may be that the soil is very rich in peat. In this case, experts recommend enriching it with limestone, chalk or wood ash before planting.
Of course, many amateur gardeners use litmus paper to determine the pH level, but it is more advisable to conduct a comprehensive analysis that will show the entire chemical composition of the soil. It should be noted that it may change under the influence of external factors. For example, the composition of the soil is influenced by climate, various microorganisms and fertilizing. Therefore, such verification is carried out annually. Too high an acidity level is reduced by dolomite flour, which will saturate the soil with calcium and magnesium.
You can also use dolomite flour to prevent chlorosis. In addition to chlorosis, they are susceptible to anthracnose, white leaf spot and powdery mildew.
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Why doesn't the blackcurrant bush bear fruit?
Under favorable conditions, this plant produces a harvest every year. Moreover, the peak of fruiting occurs in the fifth year from the moment of planting. With proper care and favorable conditions, you can harvest about thirty kilograms of berries from one hectare. However, some gardeners complain about the lack of a good harvest and begin to look for reasons why black currants have stopped bearing fruit.
One of the most important factors that can reduce the number of ripe berries is early flowering. If it falls during a cold period, when pollinating insects are not as active as they should be, then you should not count on receiving a bountiful harvest.
The second, no less important, reason is an improperly formed bush. Some amateur gardeners, due to inexperience, leave an excessive number of root shoots or completely ignore this process.
About the landing site
According to experts, the yield of currants will depend on the place where it grows. This plant is very light-loving, and it is advisable to plant cuttings in bright areas, in fertile and well-aerated soil.
In general, the place should be sufficiently bright and protected from the wind. Berries will form without complications with constant and diffuse lighting. It is very undesirable for the leaves to be exposed to direct sunlight, which will cause burns and dry out the flowers. Due to lack of light, the formation of buds will slow down.
Whether there is enough light for a plant is determined by the condition of its leaves. If they are weakened, develop slowly or begin to fade, it means that the shrub is experiencing a lack of lighting. Therefore, you should not plant it near buildings, high fences and large fruit trees, the voluminous crown of which will shade the bush.
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Currants grow well in irrigated areas, in relief depressions, as well as next to any ornamental and agricultural crops and medium-sized shrubs.
About watering
Despite the fact that currants require moisture, the plant will bloom and bear fruit poorly due to waterlogging and constant darkening. For this reason, do not plant cuttings near groundwater or near a body of water. Since currants with a fibrous root system are located at a depth of 40 centimeters, they need to be watered regularly. Due to lack of water, shoot growth will slow down significantly. By winter they will not have time to ripen and will remain weakened. In severe frost, the buds on the seedlings, judging by the reviews, can freeze.
Diseases and pests of currants that impair fruiting
Negative dynamics during harvest can be observed due to disease of the bush or pests parasitizing on it. These include:
- kidney mite;
- glass butterfly;
- forest ants;
- terry or reversion;
- invasion of common ants.
At the first signs of their appearance, it is necessary to take urgent measures, otherwise the bush will not produce a harvest or will die altogether.
Kidney mite
A parasite whose favorite delicacy is currant buds. The main sign of its appearance is considered to be the unnatural size of the kidneys. Such specimens should be plucked from the branch and burned. It is impossible to cure neglected bushes and, in order to avoid the spread of the parasite, they are dug up and then destroyed by fire. Garlic planted next to the plantation can provide protection against ticks.
glass butterfly
A dangerous parasite that is difficult to identify visually. The first signs of its appearance include:
- death of ovaries;
- leaves begin to fall from the branches.
The butterfly lives inside the shoots, making artificial tunnels there. The juice circulating inside the shoots serves as food for the glass. Affected parts must be cut off and destroyed as quickly as possible. If problems cannot be identified in time, the bush is pruned to the very root.
Forest ants
Forest ants eat the flowers of the plant, which is why it stops bearing fruit. Damaged flowers are discarded and do not participate in the pollination process. One colony can destroy several bushes, therefore, when it is detected, the anthill is destroyed. For this, proven folk remedies or special preparations sold in stores are used.
Reversion or terry
A viral disease, the carrier of which is considered to be the kidney mite. Signs of the disease:
- leaves become limp and thin;
- change in leaf color from green to dark green or purple. The surface of the leaf becomes covered with plaque;
- healthy leaves emit a pleasant aroma that is absent from the affected counterparts.
The disease spreads quickly, and to eliminate it the entire bush is burned at once.
Ant invasion
Ordinary ants, like their forest counterparts, pose a great threat to the plantation. If an anthill appears in the immediate vicinity of the landing zone, it should be destroyed. Otherwise, the flowers will be eaten and the berries will not be able to form.
How to plant
If the seedlings have been purchased and a location on the site has been chosen, then proceed directly to the planting procedure. In this case, some nuances should be taken into account. The hole should not be small or too large. The cutting is placed in the ground 5 cm deeper than in the nursery where it grew. The roots should not be twisted or bent upward. First, dig a hole and place the seedling in it, then straighten the roots. Next, pour soil on them and then tamp them down well.
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Shrub care
Despite the fact that currants are an unpretentious crop to grow and care for, do not forget to carry out basic agrotechnical procedures in a timely manner. For example, thanks to annual pruning, the bush will not be too dense, which will have a positive effect on the yield. Don't forget to fertilize as well. Otherwise, this crop will turn out to be sterile. In general, currants grow and develop well in one place for fifteen years. After this time, the growth of the bush slows down, and it does not bear fruit as much as before. To maintain metabolic processes at the same level, the crop will consume more micro- and macroelements. This can be judged by the sparse flowering. Annual anti-aging pruning and removal of old bad branches will prevent this problem.
conclusions
This culture is very common in our country. You will have to try hard to find a garden where there are no currants. Let's highlight several reasons why currants do not bear fruit:
- Violation of agricultural technology and planting rules.
- Incorrect choice of seedling according to variety regionalization.
- Inadequate care. Violation of the irrigation scheme. Poor quality and unsuitable fertilizers. Failure to perform annual pruning.
- The dominance of currants by pests and parasites.
- Infection with diseases such as powdery mildew, etc.
How to spray and treat the bush
Planned work has a great impact on improving yields. It is carried out from the beginning of flowering until the fruit is harvested. It is during this period that the crop especially needs water and a large amount of minerals. During the active phase of bud setting, to combat various pests or diseases, experts do not recommend using chemicals that can have a negative effect on the development of ovaries. If you ignore the recommendation and treat the bushes with chemicals, the quality of the fruit will be affected.
For preventive purposes, garden crops are treated with biological fungicides (Gamair, Baktofit or Trichodermin). It also doesn’t hurt to spray with copper sulfate or 1% Bordeaux mixture. In general, you can use any traditional methods. Experienced gardeners treat it with a tincture of wood ash and a decoction based on onion peels. It is important to prevent infection not only of the bush itself, but also of the soil within the radius of the tree trunk circle.
During the fruiting period, currants require phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. It is worth noting that less nitrogen is now needed, and therefore organics and complex preparations are undesirable. It is best to carry out root feeding. You can also spray the leaves with a solution of potassium magnesia, potassium sulfate and superphosphate. In this case, parameters such as the condition of the bush and the chemical composition of the soil should be taken into account.
