Proper pruning of red and black currants in autumn for beginners. Currant pruning. Pruning currant bushes in autumn
The most famous old-timer of our orchards is considered to be a currant bush, and it doesn’t even matter which one is black, red or white.
There are about a dozen in my garden different types and varieties of this useful berry, for which you need an eye and an eye. After all, as a rule, we remember such familiar fruit bushes only during the period of eating them. delicious berries. And if next year we get few berries, then we complain about the poor yield of the variety, bad weather, and you never know what other reasons come to our aid to justify our inattention.
In fact, to maintain health and high yield currants do not need to do incredible things, but just make sanitary pruning in a timely manner fruit bush. So, if you agree with me that the currant does not tolerate neglect and needs timely care, like all other plants, then this article will help you take a step towards high yields! We will talk about the correct pruning of black and red currants.
How to understand that your bush is not well-groomed and needs pruning?
Among the large abundance of branches, sometimes you get lost which ones to delete and which ones to leave. Eat general rule: Branches older than five years are subject to removal. Because up to 4 years they “increase” the harvest, and after five there is a decline in fruiting. Nothing can be done, every living organism has its age. And if you are an attentive gardener, then even without any calculations you can notice the sloppiness of the bush, its unformed and lax appearance, requiring urgent action.
Branches older than five years are subject to removal.
The branches will stick out in different directions, have a different age and location. Young growths will be crowded with last year's and dried branches, which entails thickening, in which pests will settle with pleasure.
The best time for pruning is considered to be late autumn, when the bush enters a dormant state, this time falls around mid-November. Some consider spring to be the right time for pruning, but there is a risk of not having time before the start of sap flow. Currant wakes up very early, as soon as the snow melts and the sun warms. And another plus autumn pruning is that your schedule garden work not as busy as in spring, when there is so much to do that you can simply forget about pruning currants.
Rules for pruning a blackcurrant bush
What are "zero order" shoots? These are the shoots that grow from the root of the bush in the current year. All summer the shoot grows and develops, and the next year, after wintering, it will move to the rank of a branch of the first order. Here is the arithmetic. Now we will learn how to count the age of the branches, because without understanding the age it is difficult to start pruning, since you will not know which branch is old and which is in the prime of fruiting.
Determine the age of currant branches
The age calculation is always carried out from the top of the branch. We have already described the zero-order branch above. That is, it is a long shoot of light brown color, on which there are fruit buds. We count further. The upper growth ends with one ringlet, as if a link with the continuation of the branch. This is a first order branch. On the first branch, respectively, branches of the second year develop, and so on. The growth of the branches of the first and third years of life is very violent, the growth is of impressive size, from 25 to 50 cm. But after three, by the age of five, there is a fading. After five years, the final decline occurs, and we can observe an increase of no more than 5 cm per year. The future harvest of branches of this age, unlike a young branch, is located at the ends, very small, with several fruit buds.
The branches of the zero and first order are considered the most valuable for a productive harvest. Moreover, ideally, their length should be 30-40 cm. A bountiful harvest can also be on the branches of the second and third order of branching, but the quality of the berries will suffer significantly. Shoots and branches of any order should ideally be 15 - 20 pieces.
The branches of the zero and first order are considered the most valuable for a productive harvest.
Still, it happens, there are currant bushes, the so-called branches - “tops”. The reason for this may be the strong neglect and thickening of the bush, as well as strong pruning. These are shoots pointing sharply upwards. They thicken the crown, and although such shoots also have fruit formations, they, as a rule, must be removed. Since they live a couple of years and are less productive.
clean the bush from fallen leaves
cutting angle 45 degrees
Let's start pruning
- We rake the foliage under the bush, clean the area around. Because often in these places a hotbed of a pathogenic zone is formed for all sorts of pests and fungal diseases.
- First, we remove the lower low-inclined branches that are parallel to the ground. We do sanitation cleaning. We remove all dry and broken branches, which are also directed downwards. They are of no value to us. If a small fresh shoot grows on a dry branch, then do not console yourself with the empty hope that it will give you good harvest. It must be deleted along with the old branch, since the escape on such a branch is initially weak and unviable.
- We remove old branches - they are unproductive and not winter-hardy. A distinctive feature of such branches is the presence of moss and lichen on them. At the base, cut these branches with secateurs and remove. If a manual pruner fails, then use a more powerful garden pruner. When the branch is removed from below, do not leave a stump! Its core rots, and the glass-box pest is introduced there, after which it makes its way into the bush. In mid-July, we can notice the wilting of foliage and drying out on such a branch.
- When deleting an old branch, look carefully if there is a replacement escape there? A replacement escape is a branch that is connected to the main branch and has an advantage, which is expressed in more young age or in the number of fruit buds. You need to choose the strongest and most productive, with a large number of fruit buds. So that they do not compete with each other and normally bear fruit, without sharing their living space and juices.
- The tops of some seemingly healthy branches may have dry ends, which also need to be removed.
- If the branch has given a strong growth, it is necessary to shorten it so that there is no bare branch. The quantity and quality of the crop does not depend on the number of branches of education, but on the number of awakened buds. In order to cause this process, it is necessary to shorten one third of the shoot.
option number 1 - the right cut "on the kidney"
How to trim growth correctly?
It is very important to properly cut the shoot so as not to disturb the fruit bud and cause the entire branch to dry out.
- The branch is always cut in a certain place "on the kidney." What does it mean? This is when an oblique cut is made on the shoot 5 mm from the kidney at an angle of 45 - 50 degrees. If you cut it much higher than the kidney, then the shoot will dry out and stick out on the branch like a match. There is also a risk that the kidney may not open, and the wound on the cut will not heal well. If cut very low, then the kidney may not get enough nutrients and there will be a poor harvest.
- More important point! On which side to cut, i.e. where to leave the kidney - on the outside or inside bush? Correctly make a cut from the kidney to the outside. Why? So we, firstly, will avoid thickening of the crown, and secondly, we will enable our kidney to receive more sunlight and give after a good harvest of berries.
Red Ribes
Caring for redcurrant bushes is much easier than blackcurrant. Red currants are much less susceptible to diseases and pest attacks. It is also more drought tolerant. Redcurrant bushes have much less zero-order shoots than blackcurrants, they are less thickened and bear fruit much longer - 15 - 20 years. Twigs on which flower buds are laid live 2-3 times longer than those of black currant. The distribution of berries on the bush is more uniform. Therefore, red currants need less pruning.
Twigs on which flower buds are laid live 2-3 times longer than those of black currant.
redcurrant does not require frequent pruning, unlike blackcurrant
Features of pruning red currant.
— Distinctive feature pruning of red currant consists in the fact that fruit buds are laid on the tops of the growths, and the entire crop goes on annual growths. Therefore, when pruning red currants, in no case do they shorten annual shoots. You can remove zero-order shoots from a 6-7 year old branch.
- In red currant, the most fruitful are 3-5 year old branches. When the plant reaches 6-8 years of age, anti-aging pruning is carried out.
- There should be 25-27 branches in the bush. Of these, young zero shoots - 3-4 branches, then 2-3 year old wood, 4-5, and so on up to 9 years.
- Any pruning must begin with the annual rings. In red currant, branches retain the ability to actively bear fruit up to the age of 9 years. Therefore, young branches are regulated directly in the bush itself so that thickening does not occur.
- It is possible and necessary to prune damaged branches (dry, frozen, affected by pests). When we remove old branches, we must take into account that it is undesirable to remove more than 5-6 branches at one time. Open wounds, and reduced resistance to winter period.
Of course, to enhance the yield of currants, it is difficult to do it alone. sanitary pruning. There is a set of measures for the care of currants, from watering to preventive measures providing her comfortable conditions growth. Remember that the currant, despite its status as a "local resident", deserves the closest attention to itself and needs care no less than exotic pets in your garden.
Ivan Yarovoy,
Without timely pruning the currant bush will not be able to give a full-fledged harvest, since the bulk of the berries are tied on last year's growths. Dried and old branches must always be cut so that new shoots appear to replace them.
Benefits of pruning
Thanks to this procedure, the yield increases several times already in the first year. Due to such artificial rejuvenation, the bush can bear fruit several years longer than usual. The whole secret is that old growths that interfere with the development of young shoots are removed to the ground. Experienced gardeners say that correct pruning currant after harvest allows the plant to bloom for more than 20 years.
Removing dead branches allows new shoots to receive the required amount of sunlight. For this reason, the yield increases, and the berries themselves ripen large and rich in vitamins. Thanks to photosynthesis, the influx of vital substances for it increases in the plant. In other words, currant pruning is needed so that the nutrients enter only the berries and new shoots, and not the old growths.
The benefits of this procedure are also noticeable when harvesting, since the bush is not thickened with dry branches. As for pruning different varieties berries, then it is practically no different. The difference is that in red currants, even old growths remain fruitful.
Pruning bushes in autumn
Most gardeners recommend cutting off extra branches at this time of the year. It is not for nothing that the very first pruning of currants is carried out just in the fall, when the seedlings are transferred to the ground, after getting rid of all the shoots and leaves, except for the lowest growing buds. In this case, it is important that all the branches are tightened, and the roots begin to fully function even before the onset of frost.
In all following years, currant pruning after harvest should be carried out before the first cold weather. The processing of bushes can begin in the fall, and be completed in more detail in the spring. At the same time, it is important to pay attention to the following nuances:
Young growths that strongly thicken the bush must be thinned out;
Old branches that do not yield a crop for several years in a row should be removed;
Be sure to identify and cut diseased shoots to the ground.
Timely pruning of currants in the fall will allow the plant, with the onset of the first spring rains, not to waste juices and strength on the development of old branches. Before the onset of frost, the soil under the bushes can be fertilized with previously cut leaves. perfect time for cutting excess growth - November, when the currant is not in a state of activity.
Pruning bushes in spring
Spring is considered the optimal period for the full formation of the plant. Pruning at this time of the year should be done before the buds open, and this happens quite early in currants. That is why gardening experts advise starting this procedure in the fall and completing it in the spring.
If the buds have already begun to appear, then you can forget about the formation of a bush, since at this time juice is produced in the stems. If you start cutting off excess growths, then the plant will expire strongly, and this is very harmful for the future harvest. On the other hand, currant pruning is too early dates also does not lead to anything good. Therefore, it is best to get rid of infertile branches immediately after warming.
It is important to know that during the first few years, all growths should be removed, with the exception of the 3-5 strongest. The most promising shoots are those that are located at the root of the plant, and not separated from the trunks. Hemp from cut branches should not be more than 3 centimeters, otherwise they will grow again. It is recommended to process all places of removal of growths special tool so that they heal faster.
How to form blackcurrant bushes
This procedure requires a lot of patience and attention. To form a bush in late autumn, strongly protruding branches should be cut off, leaving 2 buds for the strong, and one for the weak. If long growths are left, then in the spring an uncountable number of buds will appear on them, but the berries on them will grow small and painful.
Currant pruning should continue until only fruitful shoots remain on the bush, otherwise you should not expect a good harvest. Young branches appear very quickly, so the removal procedure must be done in a timely manner. If in autumn period the formation of the bush cannot be completed, it is better to finish it in early spring.
Minerals and water practically do not move along the old branches, which is why they grow so slowly and do not give a proper harvest, and even interfere with the full development of young shoots. If the bush is not cut for several years, then in the end it will wither. The full formation of the crown will be completed only in the fifth year after proper care of the plant.
Blackcurrant pruning
After the final formation of the bush, you can resort to the procedure for the annual removal of excess sprouts. In fact, it is very simple: only those branches that are more than 5 years old are cut. This procedure is done in early spring, until the buds begin to ripen. On the other hand, many gardeners recommend postponing the cutting of infertile branches to a later period. Pruning blackcurrants in autumn allows the plant to better endure the harsh winter.
Regardless of the time of year, weak and dried branches should be removed to the level of the soil. At this stage, it is important not to miss the infection of the plant. If glassware or kidney mites have settled in it, then it must be immediately dug out along with the ground until the pests have moved to other bushes.
Also, the tops of the growths are pruned, but only if they were frozen after the winter or aphids started up in them. Long branches, the length of which is over 40 centimeters, must be shortened.
How to form a bush of red currant
Proper processing of the crown of this variety consists in pruning old branches that are more than 7 years old. In the case of red and white currants, last year's shoots are not even shortened. There are practically no infertile young growths in this variety, therefore, when forming a bush, you should only get rid of diseased and broken branches.
Old shoots, which are up to 7 years old, can be shortened to the nearest fruitful branching. This stimulates the growth of strong buds and increases the lifespan of the plant. The formed bush as a result should not have more than 25 branches. The procedure itself is repeated for 7-8 years.
Red currant pruning
In order for the berries to please with their size and taste in subsequent years, it is necessary for for long years form the base of the plant. As soon as the crown receives optimal view and will be able to bear fruit regularly, you can proceed to the standard annual cutting.
Red currant pruning is done either in late autumn or early spring. It would also not be superfluous to summer period carry out the so-called sanitary cutting, when painful shoots are removed.
Red and white currants have much fewer cut branches than black currants. Even the driest growths can bear fruit for 7-8 years. In addition, the distribution of berries in such varieties is even, so the bushes rarely need annual pruning. The main thing when growing currants is to prevent thickening of the crown and get rid of diseased shoots in time.
Help from professionals
Many amateur gardeners are faced with the problems of decreasing yields, when every year there are fewer berries. And although pruning currant bushes does not require special knowledge, sometimes it will not be superfluous to seek help from specialists.
In any union of gardeners and in related companies there are professionals who can easily demonstrate in practice their skills in shaping and pruning currant bushes. In addition, the scope of services of such specialists includes regular care of plants, their fertilizer, transplantation and other work that can bring a lot of worries to the owner of the site.
1. A large proportion of the crop is formed on shoots that are no more than 2 years old.
2. Pruning of currants in summer is allowed only in case of infection of individual branches of the plant.
3. Old growths are easy to distinguish from young ones, as they have a darker color.
4. When the tops of the stems are infected, they need to be cut only to the first strong shoots.
5. If the branch was broken, then it will no longer be fruitful, and it should be removed, leaving a 3 cm stump.
6. Currant slices do not overgrow on their own, so they must be treated with garden pitch.
7. Clipped shoots are best burned immediately.
On your personal plot grow in the countryside or outside the city huge bushes currants, and for berries you have to go to the store. Isn't it annoying? Fix the situation in better side it is possible if currant pruning is carried out annually in autumn or spring.
This event is best done in the fall, as during this period the plant falls asleep. And with the onset of spring warmth, the currant quickly awakens. Rapid sap flow begins, swelling of the kidneys. Therefore, gardeners often do not have time to complete this procedure on time.
Why do you need regular pruning of currants
To understand why it is necessary to prune the branches of a bush, it is enough to list a number of weighty arguments:
- The yield of the bush is growing.
- The berries are getting bigger.
- The shrub receives enough sunlight. Berries grown in such conditions are rich in vitamins.
- The annual rejuvenation of the bush increases the fruiting period of the plant (up to 20 years).
- Regular pruning is an incentive for better development young shoots.
In addition to all of the above, it is not a secondary fact that the plant becomes small. And as a result, it is easier for the gardener to carry out harvesting work.
How to properly cut currants
If the plant is just planted, pruning is done immediately. The branches of the seedling are cut so that their length is not shorter than 25 cm and not more than 40 cm. In addition, each shoot must have buds from 3 to 4 pieces. During the year, with proper care, new shoots and basal shoots (zero-order shoots) will appear.
Zero-order shoots are shoots that have grown from the ground itself and are called that during the first year of life. These are the most valuable shoots. Branches of the 1st, 2nd order, etc. grow on them. In the future, it is from them that the crop is harvested.
How to rejuvenate a blackcurrant bush
So that the shrub does not die and stop bearing fruit, we will dwell on how to cut currants in the fall (spring). If the plant is in a neglected state, start with the simplest steps:
- Free the soil around the root system from fallen leaves and weeds. Cut off all dead and dry branches with secateurs. Try not to leave stumps. The dead shoot is pruned at ground level. On the cut, such branches have a brownish color.
- Remove branches lying on the ground or growing towards it. These shoots are considered the weakest. Only a small part of them survive the winter period. Therefore, there is no point in leaving them.
- All shoots that have lichen are cut out from the moss.
- Branches over 2 years old are to be removed. In blackcurrant, new shoots actively bear fruit for 2 years. The older the branch, the fewer berries will be harvested.
- After removing all the old and infertile shoots, pay attention to the branches that have several processes. You must choose from total number the strongest and a large number kidneys. The rest are removed. So, the bush will be less dense, which will only benefit the currant.
- Cut off those branches that grow towards the middle of the bush.
- If the first order branch looks weak and is located in the very center of the plant, it is better to remove it completely. Since during the period of active growth, it will constantly be in the shade and there will be little benefit from it.
- If dry tops are visible on healthy and strong branches, they are cut off to the place where the living kidney is located.
When pruning a plant, it is necessary to leave 15-20 shoots. For some currant bushes, 20-25 shoots are acceptable. All of them must grow from the ground (zero-order branches).
Red currant pruning
Although red and black currants are close relatives, a bush with red berries requires a different approach:
- Before planting, the plant is cut in the same way as blackcurrant.
- In autumn, the plant leaves the strongest shoots of the zero order (3–4 pcs.). If the bush grows poorly (weak branching), the basal growth is shortened by 1/3 of the length.
- Each branch of the red currant bears fruit for up to 8-10 years. Therefore, the branches in the bush should be different ages. The allowable number of shoots is 15–20 pieces.
Pruning a redcurrant bush requires less effort. This plant has a less restrained growth. Therefore, excessive pruning is not needed here. The yield of the bush may be significantly reduced or the fruits will be absent for some time.
How to increase productivity
We told how to cut currants in the fall, but besides this event, other factors also affect the yield of the plant. These include:
- Shoot-forming ability of the bush.
- Kidney awakening.
To increase the ability of the bush to form new shoots, it is necessary to trim the tops. Each branch is shortened with garden shears by half its length or by a third. The cut should be located 2–3 mm above the kidney. The peculiarity of this event is that you need to choose a kidney that is directed not inside the bush, but outside.
This procedure stimulates the growth of new shoots, which will affect the yield on the positive side.
Timely pruning of currants in the fall is an important procedure. This event helps to increase the yield of the bush, improves the quality of the berries. But the plant itself proper care will delight you with its fruits every year for many years.
Video: how to cut currants
Beginning gardeners do not always understand what currant pruning is for. Pruning black and red currants is necessary in order to get large yields every season. After all, it is known that young shoots that are no more than two years old bear fruit more. But the older ones practically do not bear fruit, but they take away some of the nutrients that young stems need for growth and fruiting.
What is the need for pruning black and red currants
Bushes of red and black currants are pruned not in order to give them a beautiful decorative look and in order to increase productivity.
Pruning, which is carried out in the fall, allows you to achieve the following results:
- significantly increases the amount of harvested from the bushes;
- the size and taste of fruits increase, as old shoots are removed that interfere with the growth and yield of young ones;
- pruned bushes are more sparse, more sunlight penetrates the shoots, the yield of bushes is better, and large quantity vitamins;
- with the help of pruning, currant bushes are rejuvenated, and their fruiting period can be increased by 15 to 20 years;
- the influx of minerals and vitamins to the shoots on which the crop ripens is stimulated;
- timely pruning is the prevention of probable diseases and from the appearance of "harmful" bugs on the shoots;
- berry bushes recover faster;
- plants develop more actively;
- the growth of buds in the soil is stimulated, from which young shoots will appear in the new season. They branch faster, fresh shoots grow more intensively on old branches. So the bushes thicken less, and the berries grow larger.
Features of pruning currants by years
For beginner gardeners, you should know that pruning of currant bushes differs over the years. Seedlings of this shrub are planted in a permanent place, usually at the age of one. The shoots of such seedlings are shortened by 2 - 3 buds. And in the next couple of seasons, forming pruning is carried out, during which excess shoots growing from the roots are removed, while leaving a couple of the strongest branches located symmetrically relative to the center of the bush. Such pruning is carried out for the first 5 years.
The greatest fruiting of bushes of red and black currant occurs in 6-7 years. During this period, each bush should have no more than 15 shoots, but different in age. Old branches that still bear fruit well are not cut off completely, but shortened - they cut off the tops that do not give growth and yield. These tops only take away nutrients on fruitful branches. However you can't delete all old branches at the same time, it is necessary to remove them gradually, waiting for the young shoots to grow.
After 6 years, all old branches are removed from the currant, cutting them off at the root. This is how the bushes are rejuvenated. Also removed are shoots coming from the root neck, all stems lying on the ground, dried up, diseased or frozen during the winter.
How to cut currants in autumn: technology and scheme
Any of the varieties of black or red currant requires good lighting, only then the fruits will be large and sweet. Usually the bushes of this berry culture pruned in autumn.
Moreover, this procedure should be carried out at the beginning or middle of autumn, so that the bushes have time to “come to their senses” before the onset of cold weather. Bushes weakened by pruning will not be able to withstand frost and may simply freeze out.
Cut the bushes should be as follows:
- the main goal of such a procedure is to prevent the thickening of the bush, so that all shoots receive enough light, and they have access to air. A bush older than 5 years should have 5 - 6 adult stems coming from the roots. Their age should be 4 - 5 years;
- pruning bushes in the autumn should be from ground level - get rid of old branches that are more than 6 years old. Even if their side branches grow well, they will bear less fruit every year. And they will continue to take away nutrients from young shoots;
- shoots that grow during this season must be removed. They are left only when the shrub is already too old, and it will bear fruit for another year or two. But it is better to remove such a bush completely, and cut cuttings from young shoots for subsequent rooting. Another plus of autumn pruning is getting good cuttings, which will take root perfectly during the autumn period;
- then cut side shoots grown over the last two seasons. The purpose of this pruning is to lighten the bush. Those young shoots that are not powerful enough are also best removed so as not to thicken the bush;
- the tops of the shoots of these berry bushes they are not removed so that buds form on them - the basis for the future harvest. The ends of the shoots are removed if they show signs of disease or infection with "harmful" bugs, or the tops are too thin and may not survive the winter.
When pruning currant bushes, you can press 2-3 young shoots to the ground, sprinkle with soil and water regularly. In the next season, at the ends of such branches there will be well-rooted seedlings, which are carefully separated from the mother shoot and transplanted to a permanent place.
How to prune currant bushes in spring
In the spring, they usually do not do planned pruning so as not to weaken them. Otherwise, this berry crop will grow poorly and will not give a good harvest. The formation of currant bushes in the spring is done only if similar procedure failed to do during the autumn.
However, in the spring, currant pruning is carried out. The purpose of this procedure is to remove old, dried or frost-damaged branches. Such pruning is carried out in early spring, when the buds on the shrub have just begun to swell, but young leaves have not yet appeared.
The main reasons for holding spring pruning shrub:
- this procedure provides right conditions to get a good harvest;
- removing excess shoots allows the bushes to be updated regularly. After all, a good harvest of berries appears on shoots no older than 5 years, and then the number of fruits decreases;
- removal of old branches stimulates the growth of new shoots;
- this procedure is performed so that the shrub does not weaken. On old, frozen branches, pests multiply faster, such branches are a favorable environment for the development of diseases. If the extra shoots are not removed in the spring, then by mid-summer the bushes will be very thickened, and sunlight will not penetrate into the center of the bush. The shade inside the bush is unfavorable for the ripening of the crop.
In the spring, shoots that are no more than a year old are usually removed, leaving only 3-4 such shoots. Also cut off the upper part of young branches into 2 - 3 buds to stimulate the growth of lateral shoots on older branches.
Plant care after pruning
You can process shrubs not only chemicals, but also use folk methods. the main task such treatment is the prevention of diseases and the destruction of pests.
Currants can be exposed to the following diseases:
- spots may appear on the foliage;
- shoots may dry out;
- anthracnose;
- powdery mildew.
In addition, these shrubs can be attacked by aphids or mites. These pests not only spoil foliage and shoots, but can also be carriers of various diseases. In order to prevent infection of this berry crop with diseases and prevent the appearance of pests, pruning is mandatory in the fall, during which damaged branches and foliage, as well as weak or diseased shoots, are necessarily removed. All infected parts of the bush are subject to immediate burning.
If signs of disease or pest damage are found on these berry bushes, the bushes should be treated with chemicals (karbofos, phosphamide, sulfur or other similar preparations).
For preventive purposes, shrubs should be sprayed with a solution of colloidal sulfur (1%) and 2% karbofos. Such procedures should be carried out only when the weather is dry and calm. It is better to spray the shrub either in the early morning or in the evening after sunset, so that Sun rays did not fall on the foliage with drops of drugs.
Similar processing in the autumn helps the plant avoid infection, and also repels "harmful" bugs. But experienced gardeners not only limited autumn spraying berry bushes. Usually they carry out a similar procedure in the spring to exclude the possibility of disease. And if necessary, repeat this procedure in the summer.
Pruning currants is not a very complicated process. His main goal is to take care of the bush for good yields every year.
Autumn work in the garden, including pruning currants in autumn, are characterized by the preparation of plants for the winter period, which lays the success of a good harvest in the new season. Beginning gardeners do not always take into account the features of care, therefore, some crops have a decrease in fruiting.
A prime example is the currant. Unpretentious at first glance, the plant develops intensively after planting a young shoot, delighting the eyes of the owners with gaining power.
However, after a few years, you can notice a decrease in yield, while the bush becomes bulky and shapeless. This is due primarily to the lack of pruning.
Old dried branches interfere with the formation of new fruit-bearing shoots. With proper care, the currant bush extends the life cycle by 4-6 times, giving the owners a generous harvest every new season.
crop berry bush required also to achieve the following results:
- removal of branches affected by pests or fungus;
- increase in the number and size of berries;
- optimization of the nutrition process (so that old or weak shoots do not pull on valuable substances);
- bush formation.
For beginner gardeners, this process may seem complicated, but it's actually quite easy to master the rules of cropping.
When to prune bushes?
Regardless of the variety of currant pruning should be done annually. best period autumn is considered for the procedure, when the currant sheds foliage.
Autumn procedure has the following advantages:
- sanitation (this is effective method control of diseases and insects);
- the plant does not react so painfully to pruning, does not secrete juice;
- the opportunity to form and rejuvenate garden culture.
Light cleaning in spring currants from frozen and broken shoots. The advantage of the spring procedure is to stimulate the growth of new shoots, which will begin to bear fruit in the next season.
It is best to prune before bud break, when the plant is dormant. Temperature indicators should be stable positive.
If these rules are neglected, then juice will be released from the cut points, which depletes the plant. It also increases the likelihood of infection with a fungus or other diseases. Instead of a full-fledged vegetative function, the currant will spend energy on recovery.
Proper pruning of blackcurrant is the key to a great harvest:
Before boarding
Currants should be planted about 3 weeks before the onset of frost.. From this moment, care begins, which favorably affects the formation of the plant.
Before planting a seedling you need to cut off the tops of all shoots. Leave 2-3 buds on each branch. Already after the first season, the bush will acquire an average of five new shoots.
For the purpose of rejuvenation
Rejuvenation of a 5-6 year old bush carried out in order to extend life cycle currants.
The procedure involves the complete removal of old branches under the very ground along with tops (young shoots growing from the base of the old pagon).
Simultaneously drooping and broken parts of the bush are cut off affected by diseases or pests. Tops are removed from last year's shoots, and 3-5 more promising ones are selected from new ones.
It is impossible to cut a branch near the kidney itself, this can destroy the entire process.
Unusual ways
There are several technologies for pruning currants. Novice gardeners are encouraged to try the Michurin method., which provides good yields on large plantations.
The essence of the method is the following rules:
- after planting seedlings, currants are not pruned for 5 years;
- after 5 years, half of the bushes are cut off at the root (in the future they need to be carefully fed);
- even a year later, about 20 of the grown sprouts are left, the rest are removed;
- a year later, similar actions are carried out with the other half of the bushes;
- after uprooting old plants, the site is planted with new shoots.
It also happens that the bush is not yet so old, but the fruiting has declined sharply. In this case, it is advisable apply radical cropping method. It consists in complete removal pagons from a plant, not reaching the base of only 3 cm.
After processing the cut line with a garden pitch, richly enrich root system fertilizer and cover the stump with soil. Sometimes gardeners change the soil around the bush, diluting it before filling it with humus.
After harvest
Experienced gardeners have long used summer pruning , motivating their actions with the following advantages:
- excess sunlight has a positive effect on the process of photosynthesis of young shoots;
- the intensity of growth of internal branches is equal to the indicators of lateral processes, which forms nice shape bush;
- the risk of fungal infections is reduced to zero.
Summer procedures should be abandoned if the plant has weakened growth.
How to properly prune blackcurrants in autumn: scheme and steps
In late autumn, before the onset of cold weather, the plant goes into a dormant state.
When planning the removal of branches, it should be remembered that some of them may be damaged in the winter. The work is easier to do if you follow a certain sequence.
Sanitary pruning (1st stage):
- clean the plant from dry branches and leaves;
- remove shoots that did not have time to ripen (in winter they will freeze);
- cut off intertwining branches growing from the center and lying on the ground;
- get rid of the affected and deformed processes.
Bush rejuvenation (2nd stage):
- cut branches older than 5 years (black variety) and 8 years (red and white varieties);
- shorten annual shoots by a third;
- on a well-formed plant, pagons older than 3 years old can be cut.
Maintaining the bush (3rd stage): this species pruning is performed with excessive density.
As a rule, the central branches are removed to lighten the plant. With a sufficient number of fruit-bearing pagons, you can remove the shoots that have grown in the current season.
If the bush is running and has not been previously processed, do not thin it out much. The plant may not be able to cope with a large loss of shoots.
Features for white and red
Bushes of white and red currants are cut a little differently. than the black variety. The most suitable time for the procedure is early spring or summer after the end of fruiting.
Regarding the formation of the bush, the rules remain the same, but it is not necessary to pinch the tops of last year's shoots. Shortening branches of 2-3 years of age is also not worth it.
The life cycle of white and red currants is longer than that of the black variety. That's why Branches that have reached 7-8 years of age are considered old..
Old and pest-affected shoots, extra young shoots are subject to pruning. Ideally, 6-8 skeletal branches should remain after the procedure.
Processing, pruning and shaping a bush of red and white currants:
When caring for currants, it is important not to overdo it with the removal of pagons. Improper processing will not bring benefits, but it can destroy the plant.
