[Christo]

Hi all,

I've just picked up a new plot and I've got a goosberry bush (about 1m diameter, stem about 3 inches) in the middle of my stategic path plan....... (one man's strategy and all that).

Is it worth trying to move it or would it kill the poor thing off? Never had to do this before
so I'd appreciate any advice.

Many thanks all.

C

[mumofstig]

You can move them, but sometimes they sulk for a good while.

It's a good idea to give the top a prune to make up for the roots that inevitably get broken when you dig it up. Put some bonemeal or FB&B in the planting hole and cross your fingers  :blink:

As a failsafe you could always put some of the prunings ( about 12in long pieces, with 8in buried, should be fine) into a slit made with your spade, they usually root really easily 

[sunshineband]

As it is so tiny it should move with no trouble I think.

Just make sure that if we have a very dry spring you remember to water it

[DD.]

I know it's not monstrous, but I wouldn't call 1m wide tiny!

[noshed]

Cuttings are a good idea and quite easy to bring on

[sunshineband]

I know it's not monstrous, but I wouldn't call 1m wide tiny!

Whoops I wasn't thinking straight. I read that as the trunk was Icm across

Daft -- sorry guys!!

[Christo]

Thanks for all your feedback. I'll take heed and do the best I can.
I had no idea you could take cuttings so easily.

Thanks all. Happy Christmas.  :blink:

C

[sunshineband]

Gooseberry grows so well it even creates new litle plants for you where the stems touch the ground 

[shokkyy]

My goosegog bushes seed themselves all over the garden, they come up everywhere. I've even got them growing out of the bowl at the top of the trunk of my crack willow tree

[gobs]

In short: they are a weed. chuck them about at peril.

[sunshineband]

In short: they are a weed. chuck them about at peril.

And avoid those spines in th chucking about, too 

[savbo]

Taking cuttings would also give you the chance to develop a nice stem so you get the recommended wine-glass shaped plant. Our 2 old goosegogs are a mess of branches close to the ground so it's hell picking any fruit you knock off..trying to prune them to shape but each year there's another flush of massively thorny new twigs touching the ground...

When we inherited the plot I did my first tidy and got at least thirty plants worth potting on from where branches had rooted

[gavinjconway]

Sorry to hijack this post but I have a Q..    How long from cuttings to bearing fruit? I struck 3 stems a few months ago and will move them to the plot when big enough..

[gobs]

Not long at all. Might find some on this year already. Do take them off as flowers. Let it establish.

[gavinjconway]

Thank you.. I'll plant out in the Spring and nurture them to fruiting.