Content
IN autumn period currants needs to eliminate excess shoots. How to prune currants in the fall depends on the variety and age of the plants. The necessary care must be provided annually, regardless of the stage of development of the bush.
Other shrubs are processed according to a similar scheme. Pruning currants, honeysuckle and gooseberries in the fall is done using pruning shears.
Benefits of pruning currants
Autumn pruning is a mandatory stage in shrub processing. Caring for currants in the fall has a number of advantages:
- promotes the emergence of new strong shoots;
- nutrients are sent to the ovary;
- the crowding of currant shoots is reduced;
- in spring, the shrub does not waste energy growing foliage on old branches;
- the risk of spreading pests and diseases is reduced;
- the remaining shoots receive more sunlight;
- due to autumn care, plantings are rejuvenated;
- the duration of fruiting of the bush increases to 20 years;
- the productivity of the bush increases;
- The process of picking berries is simplified.
Timing of pruning
The best time to prune shrubs is autumn. In summer, the plant actively develops when new shoots appear.Some of them bring a large harvest, while others create shade and take away the vitality of the bush.
Proper treatment will allow the plant to overwinter and use nutrients for further growth in the spring.
Trim black and red currants It is necessary before the cold weather arrives in autumn, when the leaves fall and sap flow stops.
Spring is not the best time to process the bush, since the currant growing season begins early. Spring pruning is carried out until the end of February.
Not all gardeners have the opportunity to visit the site at the end of winter, so it is better not to delay the procedure. Then spring care will only include re-inspecting the bush and removing frozen shoots.
Principles of pruning
In order for the procedure to benefit the plant, you need to adhere to the principles of how to prune currants correctly:
- The main purpose of autumn pruning is to provide the shoots with access to the sun's rays. If the bush is more than 4 years old, then it is formed by 6 large shoots that grow from the base. If the age of the plant is unknown, then you need to pay attention to the color of the wood. Darker bark is characteristic of older branches.
- Pruning bushes starts from the base. Shoots older than 5 years are pruned, even if they do not have external defects. Even strong shoots have a reduction in yield after a certain time.
- Shoots that appeared this year are removed. They can be left if the bush is old and its fruiting will last another two years. Pruning currants in the fall is a good opportunity to get cuttings. Before winter they will take root, and in the spring the formation of a new bush will begin.
- Then you need to follow the main shoots. Be sure to trim off any side growths that have formed this year or last year. When carrying out work, you need to remember the need to lighten the bush. If the location of the growth is in doubt, then it is better to trim it. If the plant does not receive sunlight, it will negatively affect the yield.
- The upper part of the bush is left unchanged. Buds and future berries are formed on it. Autumn processing of currants is carried out by removing the thin tops, since they are most susceptible to winter frosts.
- Before pruning, you need to assess the condition of the shoots. If they have curled leaves, this indicates anthracnose disease. If such signs are detected, we cut off the shoots. If there are thick buds, there is a high probability of mites appearing. Cut branches are burned to avoid the spread of pests and diseases.
Processing black currants
When working with shrubs, you need to follow the basic principles of pruning. Depending on the age of the bush, certain nuances are taken into account. This will help preserve the harvest and ensure normal development of black currants. The pruning process changes for seedlings, two-year-old and more mature currant and gooseberry bushes, which are processed according to similar principles.
Pruning seedlings
Caring for a currant bush begins in the early stages of its development. If you do not pay attention to this procedure, the bush will grow spreading and over time will lose its ability to produce a high yield.
The bush is planted in prepared holes, the dimensions of which are about 50 cm. The depth of the hole should be 40 cm.The bushes are lowered into the holes at an angle of 45 degrees so that the root collar remains at a depth of 5 cm. Then the roots are straightened and covered with soil. After watering the seedlings, begin pruning.
The tops of the shoots are cut off from the seedlings, leaving 2-3 buds. A currant bush should include no more than 4 shoots, which will allow for good growth during the growing season. The height of the seedling should be 25-40 cm. After a year, the plant will be able to produce up to 6 new shoots.
The pruning procedure is shown in the diagram:
Pruning two-year-old currants
In the second year of shrub development, the first pruning is carried out in July. The branches of the bush need to be shortened by 2 buds, which is usually about 10 cm. This procedure activates the vitality of the bush, which will give growth before the end of the year.
Blackcurrant pruning in autumn is carried out until the end of October. If a plant has many side branches, they must be removed. Weak branches that create shadows and interfere with the development of other shoots must be eliminated. They will not have time to form and will be too weak to withstand winter frosts.
As a result, the plant will not receive enough nutrients. In any case, shoots damaged by frost will have to be eliminated in the spring.
The pruning schemes are as follows:
Pruning mature bushes
At the age of 3 years, currants form quite a lot of shoots. A mature bush contains from 15 to 20 branches growing from the ground.In the fall, be sure to prune weakened shoots that have not received the necessary development.
Annual shoots are pruned in mid-July, leaving no more than 4 buds. Dry and damaged branches are also subject to pruning. As was the case a year earlier, annual shoots must be eliminated, with the most promising ones remaining.
When you cut off excess branches, you need to pay attention to the old shoots. From the fifth year, black currants need to be rejuvenated. Old branches are removed at the root. If the branches lie on the ground, then they are also cut off, leaving no stumps. If lichen grows on the bush, it must be eliminated.
Processing red and white currants
Red and white currants have their own characteristics that need to be taken into account when caring for bushes. When processing seedlings, a similar scheme is used as for black currants.
In autumn, 3-4 of the strongest shoots are left at the shrub. If the bush grows slowly, then it is enough to shorten the branches by 1/3 of their length.
The duration of fruiting of one branch of red currant is about 8 years. Therefore, the autumn bush should contain shoots of different ages. The total number of branches should be about 15-20.
Shrub care with red and white berries are less expensive. The plant does not develop as quickly as black currant. That's why pruning currants in autumn has a preventive nature. If you remove too many branches, the yield of the bush will decrease sharply.
Shrubs with red and white berries do not require frequent rejuvenation. It is necessary to prune branches that are up to 7 years old.As a result, three basal shoots remain.
Conclusion
Currant pruning is carried out in spring or autumn. Spring treatment is carried out as early as possible, before the process of sap flow begins. The optimal time for treating bushes is autumn. Seedlings, young and adult plants are subject to pruning. It is especially important to form a bush for currants that have not reached two years of age.
Gooseberry and currant bushes are processed by eliminating excess, dry and old shoots. Red currants grow more slowly, so they are much easier to care for. With proper processing, the fruiting period of the bush increases, which gets the opportunity for normal development.
The work procedure is presented in the video:
