For currants to bear fruit well, proper care is essential. After harvesting, three main measures should be taken to ensure the plants remain healthy and productive.
1. Treat Currant Bushes Against Pests and Diseases
After fruiting, it’s crucial to treat the bushes to protect them from parasitic insects and diseases. Apply fungicides and insecticides immediately after harvesting as a preventive measure.
Fungicides:
- Bordeaux liquid (1% solution),
- Fundazol or Topaz.
For specific pests, use the following insecticides:
- For ticks: Use 4 ml of Klischovit per 2 liters of water for 1 bush; 20 ml of Fitoverm per 10 liters of water; or 15 ml of Karbofos or Neoron per 10 liters of water.
- For glassworms: Use Karbofos, Fitoverm, or Lepidocide.
- For other pests: Use Aliot, Kinmix, Fitoverm, or Lepidocide.
You can combine both fungicides and insecticides in one solution. To improve adherence to the leaves, add a liquid detergent to the mix. If there’s significant pest damage, repeat the treatment after a week.
2. Prune the Currant Bush
Many gardeners prune their currants without following proper techniques, but to achieve a consistent and healthy harvest, pruning should be done correctly. It’s best to prune after the leaves have fallen in autumn, but don’t neglect pruning immediately after harvesting.
- Remove 4-year-old branches, and leave 4-5 new branches from this year, shortening them by a third.
- Cut old branches back to the ground, as they deplete nutrients.
- Keep 2-3 year-old shoots, as they will bear the main harvest next year.
- Remove dry, crooked, or damaged branches.
This sanitary pruning rejuvenates the bush and prepares it for the winter.
3. Replenish Nutrients with Fertilization
After fruiting, the currant bush is often exhausted, so it’s essential to replenish lost nutrients with fertilizer. An unhealthy bush is more likely to catch diseases and attract pests, so proper feeding is crucial.
Mineral Fertilizers:
- Superphosphate, potassium nitrate – 2 tbsp per 10 liters of water.
- Ammophoska, diamophoska, and wood ash – 2 tbsp per 10 liters of water, plus 1 glass of ash.
- Urea and superphosphate – 1 tbsp each, with 1 glass of wood ash per bucket of water.
- Potassium sulfate and superphosphate – 1 tbsp each per 10 liters of water.
Organic Fertilizers:
- Vegetable compost, rotted humus, or peat mixture – add 1 bucket to each bush.
- Bird droppings and cow dung.
- Biohumus solution or any organic fertilizer purchased from the store.
To apply these fertilizers, water the currant bushes with mineral fertilizers, and then mulch the soil with a thick layer of organic matter.
Alternatively, prepare a liquid organic fertilizer using dung or mullein infusion, mixing it with mineral fertilizers for watering.
Additionally, it’s beneficial to use an immunomodulator under the bush to help the plant recover from the stress of fruiting.
By following these three key works, your currant bushes will thrive, ensuring a healthy and bountiful harvest year after year!
