How can you rejuvenate black and red currants and improve yields
Currant bushes, which have been growing for several years, decrease yield over time and need to be processed. Using one of the ways to rejuvenate black currants, it will be possible to restore the fruiting and appearance of plants.
What is rejuvenation for?
The rejuvenation procedure is performed for a number of reasons. In particular, the need to revive old plants arises in the following cases:
- the bushes have undergone a disease or invasion of harmful insects;
- foliage has grown strongly and creates obstacles for the growth of nearby plantations;
- plants are improperly formed, which is why they develop inadequately and bear little fruit;
- some shoots are too long and spread over the ground;
- currants grow in one place for more than 5-6 years, brings a small harvest and the berries become smaller in size;
- the root system is broken.
Plant renewal by forming and removing old branches improves the aeration and illumination of the berries. As a result of treatment, resistance to negative environmental factors increases.
How to update a plant directly
There is a way to rejuvenate an old bush without replanting it. To do this, on the eve of the first frost, carefully loosen the ground around the plant and remove old branches, debris and cuttings of shoots. This will help get rid of pests that live in the soil.
A prerequisite for rejuvenating the bushes is also regular pruning.... First of all, remove the damaged branches and those located in the lower shaded part. Undeveloped annual shoots and branches that bring a small crop must also be removed. The ends of the branches, which are left on the bushes, are pruned to powerful stepsons in order to enhance growth and increase yields.
When to rejuvenate currants - in spring or autumn?
You can restore currant bushes in early spring, before the buds swell, or in the fall, after all the foliage has fallen off. In the spring, it is most advisable to heal the plants, since the damaged shoots that need to be removed are clearly visible. With the onset of warmth, the plants begin to actively sap, the bushes rise in height, so it is important to have time to cut off the affected parts.
Fundamental rules
When wondering how to update currants, it is important to consider a number of basic rules. Including:
- It is better not to cut off all unproductive branches in one season. It is more correct to do this gradually in order to completely renew the bush in a couple of years.
- If the plants do not have new powerful shoots, the bushes can be cut in different places. Removal of strong old branches in places where new stepchildren are expected to grow is allowed.
- When transplanting red or black currant plants, the area where the old bush grew must be treated with a disinfectant solution and fertilized.
Instrument preparation
To trim and restore currant bushes, you need a standard set of tools, including garden shears, pruning shears and a small hacksaw. The blades on the tools should be well sharpened, which will simplify the workflow and will not damage the branches. After the formation of each plantation, it is necessary to treat the cutting edge with a disinfectant solution.
Step-by-step instructions for the procedure
When rejuvenating the bushes, you should perform a number of steps step by step. In the process of plant formation, it is worth adhering to useful recommendations from experienced gardeners in order to increase the yield and restore the ability to bear fruit.
Tips on how to rejuvenate red currants
First, you need to inspect the plantings and decide whether a small pruning or radical rejuvenation will be carried out. Red currants under the age of 7 years should be rejuvenated gradually, over 2-3 years. Thus, the bushes will temporarily bring a small harvest, but at the same time they will get rid of old branches. When pruning, it is advisable not to leave elongated hemp and sprinkle the cuts with wood ash.
In the case of radical pruning, the plantings are cut almost completely, which is applicable to plants aged 8-15 years. In late autumn or spring, after the snow melts, the ground part is cut off, leaving 3-4 cm, after which it is treated with a growth stimulator to obtain new shoots.
Rejuvenation recommendations for black currant
When growing a large number of black currant bushes, it is better to resort to the annual rejuvenation scheme. To do this, it is necessary to visually divide the bushes into 4 parts and cut them off completely by a quarter once a year. With this approach, old and unproductive branches will be removed with each pruning, and the plants will remain young, producing a large and stable harvest.
As an additional measure, you can cut some of the strong and healthy shoots and root them in a new breeding area.
Rejuvenating neglected bushes
It is possible to completely restore neglected plantations only within a few years. Plants can be formed during each season to gradually eliminate excess foliage and old branches, which will increase the intensity of fruiting and yield quality over time. If you have healthy branches, it is easier to root them in a new place and start growing a new currant bush.
An easier way is to cut the plantings to almost zero. After that, the hemp is intensively fed with nitrogenous fertilizers during the spring period to form new shoots. It is enough to grow 5-6 shoots, which over time will form a full-fledged bush.
How to rejuvenate a currant bush and improve yields
The yield indicator is directly affected by the condition of the plants, so it is necessary to form them regularly. Removing damaged and old branches, as well as pruning thickened foliage, provide good ventilation of green spaces and open access to natural light.
Bush care after pruning
Having formed the plants, it is necessary to constantly take care of them in order to consistently receive the harvest and improve the taste characteristics of the berries. In the summer, the restored bushes begin to grow actively, new stepchildren are formed, among which you need to choose 4-5 most powerful ones, and cut the rest. You must also adhere to the following care rules:
- the soil under the bushes is regularly examined and weeds are removed;
- several times during the season nitrogenous fertilizers and organic matter (sawdust, ash, humus) are introduced into the soil;
- the ground is watered as it dries up, avoiding excessive moisture and drought;
- having found signs of damage by diseases or harmful insects, they are sprayed with fungicidal and insecticidal preparations.
Possible mistakes
Many novice gardeners, when trying to rejuvenate currants, often make common mistakes. Common mistakes include the following:
- Pruning only the upper part of the plants, which leads to malformations, thickening of foliage and crushing of berries.
- Failure to remove old branches that appear to be productive. The abandoned shoots continue to absorb nutrients and prevent new stepsons from developing.
- Violation of the recommended terms of formation, due to which plants die when exposed to cold weather.
Avoiding these mistakes, you will be able to grow healthy plants and constantly get a large harvest. Proper rejuvenation and comprehensive care is a guarantee of good yield and high taste of berries.
