Currants

This article is about Ribes rubrum, commonly termed Redcurrant (Red currant). Whitecurrant (White currant) refers to the same species, but only to cultivars with white-coloured fruit. Red and white currants are discussed in this article.

Blackcurrant refers to a different specis, Ribes nigrum, which is discussed in a separate article (See: Blackcurrant).

Problems

Birds: Birds are likely to cause most problems.[1] Birds often feed on the fruit crop.[2] Redcurrants are a particular favourite of blackbirds in the UK.[3] Whitecurrants and late ripening redcurrant cultivars are eaten less by birds.[2] They may also damage buds.[4] Nets can be used to cover the bushes over winter to prevent this.[4]

Aphids:[4] the Redcurrant Blister Aphid can cause large red "blisters" on the leaves of redcurrants in summer.[3] It can also occur on whitecurrants, with less frequency.[3] In blackcurrants this species of aphid causes yellow blisters.[3] The pale yellow aphid colonies are located on the undersurface of the leaves and appear in spring and early summer.[3] Plants should be checked regularly and sprayed with a organic control if any signs appear (see: Organic pesticides).[3] Alternatively, in late June sideshoot tips can be removed[3] (currants will require yearly pruning anyway to maximize yield). These RHS sources have more detail on currants with aphids.

Blackcurrant Gall Mites: Can also be a problem for redcurrants and whitecurrants.[1]

Sawfly Larvae:[4]

Grey Mould (Botrytis):[4]

Coral Spot:[4] Can affect branches.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bird, R (2011). A practical guide to growing vegetables fruit & herbs. Hermes House. ISBN 9781843098324.
  2. 1 2 Crawford, M (2016). Creating a Forest Garden: working with nature to grow edible crops. Green Books. ISBN 9781900322621.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Titchmarsh, A (2008). The kitchen gardener : grow your own fruit and veg. London BBC. ISBN 9781846072017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brickell, C; Royal Horticultural Society (2012). Encyclopedia of Gardening. Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 9781409364658.

See also

  • Wikipedia:Redcurrant
  • Wikipedia:Whitecurrant
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