gooseberry growth

Lanarkshire, Scotland

I planted a couple of new gooseberry bushes last year they started fruiting and then a whie /grey fungus type residue went over the plant and fruit, no harvest at all,the bushes are in a shaded part of garrden I am thinking about lifting them and planting them in large pots and putting them a bit more in the sun.Will this help? Do the bushes require treatment ? I was thinking of lifting them next weekend.

14 Feb, 2009

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Answers

Owdboggy

Two problems gooseberries get. The first is an aphid which covers itself in white wax. (American blight) . Either scrub off or spray with a horticultural soft soap type insecticie (orgainc as plant based).
The other is mildew. They are very prone to this. Spray with 1 part full cream milk to 9 parts water, every 2 weeks from when the fruit is set until ripe. Or spray with a proprietry fungicide if you do not mind using them.
It helps if they are in an open windy, sunny spot too. Pot culture increases the chances of getting mildew as it is exacerbated by dryness at the roots.

14 Feb, 2009

Maccrimmon

thanks Owdboggy I think its most likely mildew , I hear whatyour saying regarding putting em in pots but the space they are in just now is niether open windy or sunny may rethink the pots. however Is it ok to move them at this time of the year?

14 Feb, 2009

Owdboggy

Yes, now is as good a time as any. They are dormant. Protect the pots from severe frost though.

14 Feb, 2009

Maccrimmon

thanks its happening next weekend , i was dissapointed last year when the gooseberries appeared only to fail . . .. still theres always this year cheers Owdboggy

14 Feb, 2009

How do I say thanks?

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