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Blackcurrant bush problems
Sylvia Woolhouse
Posts: 14
When I unfurled the leaves, there were tiny white creatures and a very busy brown larger creature rather like an ant. So far this year there are very few currants developing - yet last year it was prolific.
Should I spray it, cut off the affected branches - the leaves all have holes in them now and also a whitish/greyish dust. Help!
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I have had similar problem - see below for info taken off RHS website:
Blackcurrant gall midge: Tiny, white maggots feed on the shoot tips of blackcurrants and prevent leaves from reaching their full size. The affected leaves dry up and die. Shoot tips can also die back. Remedy: In minor cases you can pick off the infested leaves (you will be able to see the white maggots with the naked eye). But beware that removing too many leaves will impact on the crop yield. There is no chemical control. The blackcurrants ‘Ben Connan’ and ‘Ben Sarek’ are resistant to blackcurrant gall midge.
I simply cut off the tops and the plant is doing fine.
I didn't cover my bushes with netting and Mr & Mrs Blackbird have eaten more blackcurrants than me this year by far. If yours aren't covered I suspect that birds are the main reason for a poor crop!
ImpHosta - many thanks for your response - much appreciated. The USA gardener site also responded - apparently there is a commercial control - he did not say what its name is but just that it was only available to commercial growers.
I also did not cover the currants with netting, only the blueberries and strawberries - we have a couple of large wood pigeons keeping an eye on the strawberries and I thought the blackcurrants would be safe. I shall buy some more netting.
Anyway thanks for the response - its comforting to know I am not alone in the fight against bugs etc.