Blackcurrant Cutting Update

Back at the start of January I decided to try my hand at taking a blackcurrant cutting and I'm delighted to say that it's doing really well.  I'm a bit surprised that it is so easy to take cuttings but I suppose I'm beginning to realise that growing fruit isn't quite the mystery that one might think.  Back then it was just a stick with some buds on it but now it is a thriving little bush with plenty of flowers on it.

You might notice that there is a nettle growing in with this blackcurrant...well it's not by accident.  I have read that blackcurrants do well if planted near nettles so this one that seeded itself was just left there and is thriving too.  I'm beginning to get into the idea of companion planting a bit more lately as I realise that plants in isolation probably feel a little strange.  There are probably all sorts of reasons why plants prefer to be mixed in with other types of flowers, "weeds" or fruit and we probably don't even know about half of the reasons.  The nettle that is in this pot is certainly not holding back this young plant so I have sanctioned its presence completely.....stopping short of actually serving the residency papers to the nettle.

You can see all the little flowers on this guy in the photo on the left.  I was surprised to see flowers on one so young but who am I to complain.  In preparation of having some extra fruit I have put a little manure around the bottom of the pot.  Next winter I will replant it into a larger pot but for now I'm not going to disturb it.

I absolutely love the blackcurrant flowers as they are so simple and delicate looking, with their little petals curled back neatly. 

There has already been something gnawing at a branch at the top of the cutting so we are keeping a close eye on it to make sure no woodlice families move in, which would end up destroying the flowers. 

The leaves seemed to grow at the top of the cutting first and then gradually start to open all the way down the plant.  Some of these are still opening so the plant will fill out a lot more over the summer.  The important thing is that shoots grow from the base of the plant so as to provide the right kind of shape for best fruiting.  This idea of where the fruit grow best is still a bit confusing but I'm sure it will clear up over the next few years as I watch the plants grow.  But of course you will get fruit from any shaped bush, it's just a matter of getting the best out of a bush.  A couple more shoots will hopefully grow from beneath the soil level as I buried the cutting deep enough to bury some of its buds. 

When I transplant this little bush next winter I can plant it a little deeper than it is now if I need to (if there aren't enough shoots below soil level), so there's no panic for now.

Overall I'm delighted with this experiment and I'll certainly be taking some more cuttings next year.  I will also try to get a cutting from some one who has another blackcurrant bush and which may be an earlier variety.  If you want to spread out the amount of fruit you have over a longer time then it's a good idea to get varieties that fruit at different times.  That way you don't end up with more than you can use for a few weeks and then have none for the rest of the year.