Summer Pruning of Cordons Organic Fruit

The pruning of laterals (side shoots) can be done each year just before harvest. This will expose fruit to pickers and discourage mildew and botrytis, as well as stimulating the production of fruiting spurs on the shortened laterals. Leader pruning should be carried out during winter.

Cordons
Redcurrants, whitecurrants and gooseberries can also be grown as cordons. This is a popular method of growing redcurrants on the Continent and is well suited to PYO systems due to tighter spacing and easier harvesting. Fruit is very well presented to pickers, yields are high (about 0.5-1kg per bush from a single cordon) and it is easier to spot andintercept pest and disease problems at an early stage. Berries generally ripen better since they are more exposed to the sunshine and are kept off the ground and away from rain-splashed soil. Cordons also allow very good air circulation around the plant, which helps to prevent mildew.
Cordons are particularly suitable for managing vigorous cultivars such as the gooseberries Invicta and Leveller. However, cordons do require more time spent pruning and tying in, and a supporting framework will need to be provided. A tier of wires spaced 30cm apart, with the top wire set 1.5-1.8m from the ground, should be used. Strong-growing varieties are suitable for training as double or even triple cordons.