Black currants do well at first then diminish - Ask Extension
I recently bought a new house and planted two black currant plants. They thrive for a month or two and then almost wither to nothing in June. I have...
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Black currants do well at first then diminish #873312
Asked June 16, 2024, 12:44 PM EDT
I recently bought a new house and planted two black currant plants. They thrive for a month or two and then almost wither to nothing in June. I have included several photos. All fruit is lost.
Would you please give a diagnosis and treatment?
I have attached photos that should show withering leaves and a grey dust or mildew on the leaves.
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Your plants have powdery mildew. There is nothing you can do at this stage except hit them with a strong stream of water and make sure they dry. Black currants are highly susceptible to powdery mildew. Fungicides only work as a preventative. They will not cure it once there. Sanitation is important. Make sure to remove any infected leaves as they fall and clean up all leaves in the fall. Here are a couple links with important resource information for you. Open drop down boxes: https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-currants-and-gooseberries-home-garden https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/powdery-mildew-trees-and-shrubs
Thanks much for the thorough response.
So I do not need to dig them up and throw, correct?
This season is lost, I just need to tend to the health as suggested, looking toward fall?
Regards
Correct. Just stay on top of it next spring.
