[fallen angel]

Hi again 2 summers ago i bought a gooseberry bush and i thought i had killed it last year as it resembled a dead twig  :oops:  but im glad to say it came back lush and green again this year but ......... i dont know what im supposed to do with it do i cut it back or leave it? As im sure you are realsing by now i so dont have a clue when it comes to this but i want to try so all help appretiated  

Also how old does it have to be before it gives me any fruit as i have not had a anything yet? (not that im surprised as i nearly killed the poor thing off  :oops: )

Kind regards Nicky

[DD.]

I put some cuttings in last October, and they fruited this year. I suspect yours is still suffering from it near brush with death.

Pruning wise, it's general 'housekeeping' with the bush. Cut off anything at ground level. otherwise the fruit will be on the ground. Cut back stems if they are getting too long.

It's recommended by some, and it seems a good idea, that you trim the centre out, so that the bush is 'saucer' shaped. This means you can get to the fruit without suffering fatal injuries.

And of course any dead wood has to go.

[fallen angel]

Thank you

[wellingtons]

... how big were the cuttings you put in??

[DD.]

About 12" long, planted 6" deep with all foliage stripped off that bit.

[wellingtons]

... reckon i'll have a while to wait for fruit on my babies ... they're about 2 cm tall ...  

[WG.]

Hi again 2 summers ago i bought a gooseberry bush and i thought i had killed it last year as it resembled a dead twig  :oops:  but im glad to say it came back lush and green again this year but ......... i dont know what im supposed to do with it do i cut it back or leave it? As im sure you are realsing by now i so dont have a clue when it comes to this but i want to try so all help appretiated  

Also how old does it have to be before it gives me any fruit as i have not had a anything yet? (not that im surprised as i nearly killed the poor thing off  :oops: )

See http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?p=51522#51522 for pruning info