[Edlyn12]

I love growing blackcurrants and making jam and cordial from them.Can I root softwood cuttings in water and will they root?Any answer will be greatly appreciated thank you.

[Kim]

Blackcurrants take well from hardwood cuttings taken in autumn. At this time of year Layering may be more reliable and is my favourite easy method. Take a low growing branch / shoot, rub a few leaves off in the middle and bend down to the ground, hold there (in the place you rubbed the leaves off) with a stone, or with a long wire pin. When you come back in a few months it will have rooted. I often find that currants will make new plants by layering without any intervention from me.

[Blowin]

Keep your eyes open for someone in your area with mature bushes. Many growers prune their bushes periodically or get rid of old ones and this can be your quickest method of getting multiple bushes of your own.

Holding the main stem with one hand, tear a side shoot downwards so that it has a 'heel' on it. Dip the heel in water, then in hormone rooting powder and plant in a good sized pot.

Most will be successful and one neighbour's prunings or one cast off bush can probably give you more new stock than you'll need. Once they show signs of being viable, plant them out into their final position.