[moose]

I want to make some changes in my garden and the redcurrant and gooseberry bushes will have to go. I would like to grow some as cordons rather than bushes. If I take cuttings from them how easy/difficult would it be to develop them into cordons or would it be better to buy new and trained cordons? I will be putting up a post and wire system, I don't have a suitable wall or fence. I do also have blackcurrants but I am told they don't do so well as cordons.

[tangojulie]

I've done gooseberry cordons from cuttings, easy peasy (must be if I can do it) but it takes a few years before you get any quantity of fruit.

[Gardener and Rabbit]

I've got a red currant cordon that does well. I bought it new, and it was grafted for growing as a cordon.

[Aunt Sally]

Yes, not difficult at all.

Take a long cutting in autumn (about 10 ins long) and remove the soft growing tip.  Remove the buds from the bottom half and dibble a hole in a sheltered spot and pop them into it up to where you've removed any buds.

Next year move to their growing position and reduce the side shoots to 3 and train one straight up a cane and the other two out to the side and then up canes.

Cut side shoots back to about 4 leaves in June.


EASY

[moose]

Thanks Auntie, with something that simple I should get it right...possibly.

[Aunt Sally]

Do 8 or 10 of each and you should have at least a few successes 

[Growster...]

Yes, not difficult at all.

Take a long cutting in autumn (about 10 ins long) and remove the soft growing tip.  Remove the buds from the bottom half and dibble a hole in a sheltered spot and pop them into it up to where you've removed any buds.

Next year move to their growing position and reduce the side shoots to 3 and train one straight up a cane and the other two out to the side and then up canes.

Cut side shoots back to about 4 leaves in June.


EASY

I know you answered this a couple of years ago, Auntie, but as what you said is so pertinent, I'd like to see if we're doing the right thing!

I struck a dozen cuttings of reds last  year, and have got eight sturdy plants now in larger pots to grow on.

Are they safe in these pots until the new autumn season, as I want to espalier them in a sheltered spot, (well, it's half-under that yew tree in the church, but gets a lot of sun when it matters), and they look pretty good so far!

They're a lovely crop, well worth a tight fruity little hedge and if the spot is too sheltered, I'll make some space for next year!