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Gooseberries dying

ajm.r21iBbPRuXYajm.r21iBbPRuXY Posts: 2
in Problem solving
After several years w/o problem, my gooseberry bushes are dying. The problem starts in one branch then spreads to another until the plant is dead. The affected branches go white. I suspected honey fungus, but that tends to kill the plant in one step. Also scraping the bark off an affected branch reveals a healthy green. Also it does not seem like mildew The symptoms to me seem like a thing called "grey Mould".

I would be grateful for any suggestions on what it is and importantly would it be wise to  plant new bushes in the affected area?

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I can't help you unfortunately, but my reply will push your query up to the first page and someone might be able to give advice. 
     I think @Dovefromabove and @BobTheGardener both grow gooseberries, so they might see this   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2021
    @Fairygirl is right, I’ve grown plenty of gooseberries over the years,  but I’ve not seen that condition I’m afraid. Sorry. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    edited August 2021
    I grow gooseberries as well but have never seen that problem either I'm afraid.
    I would dig up and dispose of the old bushes (not in your compost bin) and would not plant new bushes in the same area. You could instead grow new ones perhaps in big containers for say 2 or 3 years and then replant in the hope that whatever the cause was, it was unlikely to last that long. 
    If you are an RHS member, have you tried contacting them? I believe they have a Helpline for members.
    Sorry I can't help further.
    Edit: Just read Alan Titchmarsh's Kitchen Gardener book, section on gooseberries and under problems he mentions  "American gooseberry mildew, a white talcum power-like 'bloom' over tips of young shoots, leaves and fruit. He says you can wipe the bloom off the fruit which is still edible. Prune out affected tips after picking the fruit and improve air flow by pruning. Feed with 28g (1 oz) of sulphate of potash per plant in spring or grow resistant varieties." 
    Does this sound the same thing?
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • ajm.r21iBbPRuXYajm.r21iBbPRuXY Posts: 2
    thanks all your replies.
    regarding American mildew  i don't think its that from appearance.
    have contacted rhs help desk, but they take a while to reply. If there is interest I'll post their reply when i get it

    regards
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    ajm.r21iBbPRuXY said:
    thanks all your replies.
    regarding American mildew  i don't think its that from appearance.
    have contacted rhs help desk, but they take a while to reply. If there is interest I'll post their reply when i get it

    regards
    Yes thank you. I’d be interested to hear their view. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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