Black Currant - Ask Extension
A friend gave me a couple of cuttings from black currant bushes she had in the woods in her back yard here in the Duluth, MN area. I would like to pl...
Knowledgebase
Black Currant #845483
Asked August 13, 2023, 3:12 PM EDT
A friend gave me a couple of cuttings from black currant bushes she had in the woods in her back yard here in the Duluth, MN area. I would like to plant them in our small Duluth city yard, but am concerned as I've read about them being susceptible to diseases (and thus difficult to care for) and the possibility of them spreading fungus. I also read about certain, maybe not all?, varieties being carriers of disease to white pines. Maybe that isn't a problem anymore? I would appreciate your advice - I don't want to introduce a disease problem or a tending problem to our little city yard! I've attached a picture of one of the leaves, hoping you can identify the variety. Thank you for your help here.
St. Louis County Minnesota
Expert Response
We can't identify the black currant species by viewing the leaf photo. You might be able to do that by comparing your plants to those described here:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/search?kw=ribes
We presume your plants are native currants. We also presume white pines grow in your neighborhood. If so, moving native currant plants already growing in your neighborhood from one place to another isn't likely to increase the spread of blister rust.
In any case, your caution in this regard is commendable.
Information we have regarding diseases that affect black currants pertains mostly to species of European origin since these are the kinds most often used for home fruit production. Some European currant varieties are immune to blister rust.
According to University of Minnesota fruit specialists, "Currants are easy to manage in the Upper Midwest, and do not require extensive measures to control diseases. Careful site selection and good cultural practices such as mulching, pruning and sanitation will minimize pest problems." Go here to read the complete publication:
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-currants-and-gooseberries-home-garden
Information in the following publications may also be of interest:
https://bwsr.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2020-02/Featured%20Plant%20March%202020%20Various%20Currants.pdf
https://mnhardy.umn.edu/currants
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/search?kw=ribes
We presume your plants are native currants. We also presume white pines grow in your neighborhood. If so, moving native currant plants already growing in your neighborhood from one place to another isn't likely to increase the spread of blister rust.
In any case, your caution in this regard is commendable.
Information we have regarding diseases that affect black currants pertains mostly to species of European origin since these are the kinds most often used for home fruit production. Some European currant varieties are immune to blister rust.
According to University of Minnesota fruit specialists, "Currants are easy to manage in the Upper Midwest, and do not require extensive measures to control diseases. Careful site selection and good cultural practices such as mulching, pruning and sanitation will minimize pest problems." Go here to read the complete publication:
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-currants-and-gooseberries-home-garden
Information in the following publications may also be of interest:
https://bwsr.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2020-02/Featured%20Plant%20March%202020%20Various%20Currants.pdf
https://mnhardy.umn.edu/currants
