[Growster...]

When we took over the 'Patch', which is a full allotment, we discovered two miserable, sad looking blackcurrant bushes, which had been languishing under a canopy of brambles about eight feet high, for several years!

They were all leggy and had very hard, black central tems, but were thick and sturdy, so naturally, we gave them a chance to do what they could!

This was two years ago, we had a pretty good crop last year - totally unexpected, but this year, after some careful pruning in the Autumn, we have finished up with two huge providers, one is bigger than the other with a different growth format, and longer 'new' shoots and the berries are nearly as big as grapes! I reckon we'll get about fifteen pounds from one chap alone, which is such an enormous bonus!

They're as sweet as can be imagined, and, although I can easily post a pic, they'll all look the same as any other blackcurrant, unless there are chums here with more experience in growing these gorgeous plants! I wonder if the variety, 'Laxton Giant', is the type we've inherited!

Any thoughts out there please?

[mumofstig]

Could it be a Caseille/Jostaberry  - a cross between a goosegog and a blackcurrant ?

First year's fruiting for mine, but they are big'uns 

[Growster...]

Thanks Mum.

I don't think it is a jostaberry, as the leaves are blackcurrant to a tee, so here's a couple of pics to try and narrow it down!

The biggest berries are well over a centimetre in diameter - even up to one and a half, so we're not complaining!

[3 allotments]

Maybe it could be a Ben Nevis blackcurrant i have one and that has large berries on too 

[Growster...]

Maybe it could be a Ben Nevis blackcurrant i have one and that has large berries on too 

That's interesting, 3A, it could well be one!

Has your bush fruited yet?

[diospyros]

I think jostas don't have the blackcurranty scent on the foliage, is another way of telling them.  I've got a shop-bought josta, and about eight young blackcurrants from cuttings which the donor said have HUGE berries, so looking forward to next year!  In fact I've got so many I'm wondering if it would make sense to prune them by completing coppicing them in rotation.

[Growster...]

I think jostas don't have the blackcurranty scent on the foliage, is another way of telling them.  I've got a shop-bought josta, and about eight young blackcurrants from cuttings which the donor said have HUGE berries, so looking forward to next year!  In fact I've got so many I'm wondering if it would make sense to prune them by completing coppicing them in rotation.

Pruning has just been a discussion here, Diospyros, as it's so wet, and they really do need picking, so we're going to cut the branches now, and bring them home for picking - in an easier position too!

[Goosegirl]

My blackcurrant bush is a Ben Nevis and it always has big and sweet-ish berries so agree with 3A. They make the most marvellous jam!

[Beetroot Queen]

Ours is a bennevis and its enormous fruits are dripping, i cant keep up with picking it

[3 allotments]

Maybe it could be a Ben Nevis blackcurrant i have one and that has large berries on too 

That's interesting, 3A, it could well be one!

Has your bush fruited yet?

Yes, eaten them aready as i didnt have many on the bush as i damaged it earlier in the saeson

[compostqueen]

Ben Connan maybe

[Growster...]

It does seem as though it's one of the 'Bens', doesn't it!

We brought five branches home yesterday, and got 3.25 pounds off them, and there's much more to come thank goodness!

It's at times like this that the old 'swings and roundabouts' syndrome kicks in, and you can forgive the first rows of peas for just sitting there being silly...

[compostqueen]

Exactly!  I think that's how we have to look at these things.  You win some ...... 

[Growster...]

Exactly!  I think that's how we have to look at these things.  You win some ...... 

CQ, you just sum it up in such an easy statement!
It's always swings and roundabouts, and this year, the black currants get the prize!

Never changes does it!

[AnneB]

Our blackcurrants are huge this year too.   They are Ben Connan.   We have been given a jostaberry, but it has produced nil, I am giving it the benefit of the doubt as it was transplanted in spring.   The leaves do smell of blackcurrants though.