Red currant

Igrowfromseed

Been pruning this red currant in the same way as gooseberries. Has become top heavy with fruit & leaves. Tempted after flowering to cut 30- 50% of the branches down to a single bud near the base to try any get some fruiting lower down the new stems.
Does this sound like a good option?

Blue Onion

It does look leggy, maybe a bit too shady?  Would a goblet prune allow more light to reach those newly pruned down-low branches?  

Igrowfromseed

Don't think shade is a major problem as the gooseberry next to it is fine. Would like to get some growth lower down the stems. Can see your point about opening out the middle more but I'm not sure this will help with the fact that all growth seems to be confined to the top few inches of the branches?

Blue Onion

I would give it a really hard prune next winter, taking out all the wood that is a few years old, leaving the younger branches.  Prune those back by a half or within three buds to encourage bushing out, and keep pruning and forming it each year back into that desired goblet shape.  You'll probably miss a year of fruit, but it will be much less leggy.  

Igrowfromseed

So I should prune it similar to a backcurrant?
thanks

Blue Onion

I have no idea.. I've only planted my blackcurrents two years ago.. mine are only knee high.     

Lily Pilly

Black currants fruit on new stems, so it’s easy to see what stays and what goes 
However I wouldn’t do this with a flowering currant. If it was mine I would shape to desired size gently!
Whatever you decide to do, do it after flowering