Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: mumofstig on December 21, 2017, 22:29

Title: Red Currant Varieties
Post by: mumofstig on December 21, 2017, 22:29
Is there such a thing as a best variety or are they all much the same?
In other words, should I just root some cuttings from a friendly plot neighbour's unnamed bush, or is it worth buying a certain variety?
Title: Re: Red Currant Varieties
Post by: Mr Dog on December 22, 2017, 16:03
Is there such a thing as a best variety or are they all much the same?
In other words, should I just root some cuttings from a friendly plot neighbour's unnamed bush, or is it worth buying a certain variety?

Don't think there's much to choose between varieties and if you've tried (and liked) the ones on offer I'd go for that, unless you're desperate for fruit sooner rather than later - bushes I've grown from cuttings in the past haven't started cropping usefully for 2-3 years - and then buying an older plant is probably the better option.
Title: Re: Red Currant Varieties
Post by: snowdrops on December 22, 2017, 23:24
There must be different varieties as I have 2 bushes on my allotment, 1 produces a considerably bigger fruit & so is easier to pick, can’t say I’ve cooked then separately to note a difference in flavour though neither do I know eithe4 variety I don’t think. So probably not much help.  Mr Dogs reply re time to fruit is a valid one though.
Title: Re: Red Currant Varieties
Post by: Deborah1 on December 23, 2017, 16:58
Hello. If you do decide to buy I can recommend an early fruiting variety called 'Junifer'. I have it with a later one whose name I have forgotten. It is good to get the extended cropping time. It propagates easily from cuttings too if you find you need more :D
Title: Re: Red Currant Varieties
Post by: AnneB on December 24, 2017, 12:55
I can recommend Red Lake.  We planted some when we moved to our "current" house 27 years ago.  They have been royally neglected but produce loads of very good fruit every year and show no sign of giving up.
Title: Re: Red Currant Varieties
Post by: mumofstig on January 01, 2018, 11:42
I think I'll buy one bush so I get a fairly quick harvest and take a few cuttings as well, which as you say, will be slower to fruit.
Thanks all  :)