How to trim the currants

Without annual rejuvenation, currant bushes will not be able to use their full potential for abundant fruiting. And all because the berries are tied to last year's growth branches, which are not more than 5 years. That is why it is so important to remove all old, dry, damaged, competing with each other and interfering with the growth of new shoots elements. When to cut a plant, how to do it correctly, and whether there are differences in cutting the bushes of red and black currants - we will tell about all this later in the article.

The use of pruning currant bushes

Regular cutting of currant bushes contributes to their abundant yield. Therefore, if you want plants to develop with full dedication, do not run them. Experts explain that with regular removal of the sick, frozen, too old, dried,affected by fungi or harmful insect branches starts a continuous process of formation of basal shoots and, accordingly, the bush forks.

Only young shoots are prone to abundant fruiting, although occasionally berries may appear on old ones.

Shorn bushes, in contrast to thickened ones, receive more light, are less affected by pathogenic pathogens and much easier to maintain. Experienced gardeners are advised to begin pruning on young seedlings. The first 4 years they provide an opportunity to develop the culture and increase the growth of the 15 main branches. Ideally, on such a plant appear on 4 annual and biennial sprouts. It is in this form that the bush must be kept for the next 15-20 years.

When to prune currants

Removal of all unnecessary branches in the berry is recommended to be carried out in the initial stages of the growing season.In early spring, before the buds begin to open, you need to carefully examine the bushes and cut off all unnecessary.

At the same time, it is important not to miss the deadlines, because blackcurrant begins to bloom early, and this process lasts a short time. You can not cut a blooming bush, it is fraught with its exhaustion and the vain loss of nutrient resources. If you do not have time to complete the trimming, do not forget to continue the work begun in the fall.

Some gardeners try to carry out the main pruning of currants in the late autumn, when the plant leaves foliage. The main thing is to have time to freeze. And in early March, dry and frozen sprouts are harvested. In the 2nd decade of July, the tops are cut off on skeletal shoots. This is done to branch the bush and bookmark the buds of the next year, of which in the future there will be berries.

Set of garden tools for work

For cutting currant bushes, it is important to acquire the necessary equipment.For professionals, an elementary garden set consists of a pruner (conventional or bypass), a brush cutter, a pruner, a hacksaw, and a pair of scissors.

All tools must be sharp. In addition, when choosing them, pay attention to the ends.

It is desirable that they were narrow and allowed to effortlessly make their way to the bases of the sprouts without injuring the neighboring ones. It is also worth considering the weight and safety of the inventory, the convenience of its handle. Experts strongly recommend starting pruning with disinfectant measures on the blades of the instruments involved. They are implemented using a weak solution of potassium permanganate or alcohol. The same procedure ends the haircut in the berries.

Pruning currant bushes depending on age

Before undertaking a pruner, every gardener must understand that his main task is to develop a bush from 15 basic branches that are not more than 5 years old. All that is older, ruthlessly removed. Such sprouts only waste the nutritive resources from the root system.

Let us consider in more detail the main nuances of currant pruning in the spring at all stages of its development with visual schemes and photos.

Pruning seedlings when planting

The first shearing of the bushes is made immediately after planting and consists in the removal of all shoots. The cut accounts for just over 3 buds. And do not worry that the plant can be unwell after such a radical haircut. On the contrary, it will contribute to the correct formation of the crown. And by the next spring 5-6 young twigs will grow.

Pruning bushes second year

On biennial plants, zero shoots and some skeletal ones are subject to removal. This is a very important moment, because the further fruiting of the bush depends on it.

In order not to be mistaken, always leave at least 3, but not more than 5 central branches, which do not compete with each other and form the skeleton of a plant. Choose healthy and powerful sprouts, as frail and lifeless will bring little sense. They only hinder the full development of the bush.

In July, it is necessary to cut the top off on the currant bush in order to give the opportunity to increase not the height, but the lateral growths. In this case, the cut falls under the second kidney from above. All manipulations are aimed at the formation of new fertile shoots.

Formative pruning bushes 3-4 years

In the 3rd and 4th year of life, currant bushes are pruned in the same way as biennial specimens. The main principle of the gardener is to eliminate all unnecessary sprouts that thicken the crown and compete with each other.

It is important to leave up to 6 central shoots. Do not allow the development of crown-growing branches. They must be removed as they shade the fertile growth, interfering with their growing season.

The second rule of haircut says about shortening the upper zones of skeletal and last year's branches. Ensure that each branch has no more than 2 buds. If you do everything right, by the 5th year of life the plant will form the correct spherical crown.

Pruning currants 5 and more years

Starting at 5 years of age, the plant forms aging, woody branches. Therefore, he needs a rejuvenating haircut, which is to remove dry, frozen, broken and unviable, drooping and old branches.

Consider that all the old is eliminated along with the new shoots, called spinners. Do not regret cutting off the creeping shoots.

They, like the sick areas, interfere with good ventilation, illumination and circulation of juice. Harvest from them is also not worth it. The trimming pattern on the 5th and subsequent years of currants is the same as in 4-year-old bushes. Here are just branches that are from 2 to 4 years old, need to be shortened to the 4th kidney, and last year’s - to the 2nd kidney. It is also important to remove new shoots, leaving only the skeletal.

Features trimming running bushes

If you have a currant berry, but you have never done anything like it before, in order to improve the fruiting of the bushes, it is recommended to start forming pruning with thinning the crown. First of all, on old bushes, remove broken, wilted and poorly developed branches. Also, all cropless and inward-facing sprouts are subject to removal.

Then inspect the plant, select from among all its annual shoots 3 of the most powerful, and cut off the rest.

Further cutting on running plants depends on their yield. In cases where the bush sits for a long time without increments or only slightly increases them, it will be necessary to eliminate several old skeletal branches, as well as shortening the apical zones of the remaining shoots.

Now you know the main principles of formative pruning currant bushes. We hope our tips will be useful to you in creating a productive berry.