Gooseberries

Janey3

I was given and planted two gooseberry bushes last year which were healthy and produced some fruit. Unfortunately they were attacked by sawfly and the bushes were stripped bare.

Should I move them to a different site or bin them, as I have been told the soil could have the sawfly still in the soil. Had thought of putting them in 2 large pots with fresh compost.

Any ideas please?

Farway

I think last year was a bad year for sawfly attacks. My bush was stripped like yours, but it has been clear for years before then

The loss of the leaves does not harm the bush as it it late in the season, and it would be poor natural selection for a predator to kill the future host plant

From what i have heard a hard winter, and birds, plus removing dead leaves and the like from around the bushes may will stop them for 2018, plus maybe spray early on?

I know that is what I shall be doing with mine

thriftylass

Hi, I would leave them. I had mine eaten twice (once noticed way too late, the second time sprayed too late) but it has fully recovered the last two years, when I sprayed it earlier.

Janey3

Thank you both.

What spray should I use please? Read something about Neem spray but that may be too expensive for me.

Farway

For a spray just read the labels, a general caterpillar killer will do it, make sure it is OK for fruit / veg though

As you only have two bushes a ready mixed bug killer should be fine for your requirements

I tend to use the Wilko one, but only because it is cheap enough & Wilko is handy for me

Janey3

Thank you Farway.

I'm going to leave them where they are and try the spray.

sheramber

Mine were attacked last year but I noticed on the first day.

I sprayed and watched dozens of caterpillars emerge form the bushes.

The bushes were a bit sparse for leaves but still fruited.

Janey3

Glad you had some fruit Sheramber.

I will be more vigilant this year!

I have 2 blackcurrant bushes not far from the gooseberries but they were not attacked by any bugs at all.

Janey3

Glad you had some fruit Sheramber.

I will be more vigilant this year!

I have 2 blackcurrant bushes near to the gooseberries but they weren't attacked at all by bugs thankfully.