gooseberry

AEE

Thinking of growing a gooseberry bush. Never grown any fruit before so any advice welcomed. It will be in a pot as space is minimal

pansyface

Hello AEE. Gooseberries are, as I'm sure you know, thorny devils for the most part. So they need manoeuvre room in addition to their actual size in order to avoid damage to one's arms, legs and bum. In fact AEE is what I whimper most times I pick them. One good variety that is thornless is appropriately named Pax. However, it can be a bit mildewy. So I'd go for a more modern variety such as The Finnish one called Hinnonmaki Red. It is widely available but thorny but also fairly upright. You will need a big pot. Gooseberries need at least a square metre, manoeuvre room included, so the pot will need to be at least 40 cms across if not more.

Salino

..I've got Hinnonmaki Red...gorgeous tasting fruit when ripe..lovely rich dark colour... in fact, I've just picked 1 and half pounds of fruit off it and now have 2 crumbles in the oven...

Steve 309

Yum

Whatever, you need an upright rather than a sprawling variety.  And it'll still have to be pruned to upward-facing buds, eventually.

I harvested a few blackcurrants the other day and thought I'd try a blackcurrant sponge pudding.  Also yum!

Dovefromabove

I've got Hinnomaki Yellow - a gorgeous gooseberry but totally unsuited for a pot - very sprawling - just thought I'd warn you.

Xenia sound as if they'd be good in a pot http://www.readsnursery.co.uk/gooseberry-xenia/ 

 

AEE

Thanks for the advice. It looks like the Hinnomaki is a popular choice, pot is going to be half barrel. Many thanks