Quick Questions
Why do my blackcurrants taste so tart? Alan La Gardei, by email
If you’re new to growing blackcurrants and imagine they’ve the taste of a cordial drink it can come as a surprise how sour they are. They’re rich in Vitamin C, however, and with their tart flavour are best suited to pies and jams. For most fruit, a hot, sunny summer will improve sweetness as plants can create more sugars in their leaves from water and carbon dioxide. Fruit grown in too much shade may also fail to develop full flavor.
Can I move my ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ rose? David Clements, Old Windsor, Berkshire
Conventional wisdom has it that roses don’t transplant well. However, people tell me they’ve moved house half a dozen times and always taken their favourite roses with them. Timing is crucial, with late autumn or winter ideal. Cut top growth to about 1m (3¼ft) and lift with as much root as possible. Use secateurs to tidy damaged roots and replant, watering in well and continuing the next growing season. Use the prunings for hardwood cu ings as insurance.
Why are my cucumbers failing to set fruit? John Ford, by email
Cucumbers need generous watering to set fruit. It’s also important to dampen the greenhouse floor two or three times a day. Tie in the shoots regularly to maximise flowering. Pinch out the growing tip once the plant reaches the top of its support and pinch out sideshoots when they’ve made two leaves. Outdoor varieties can be allowed to trail over the ground and the main shoots pinched out at five to six leaves to encourage branching.