I must say, I have never seen an espaliered currant, (doesn't mean they don't exist). When most currants arrive they are really mere twigs, and you are told through different nurseries 'prune hard' the first year they are planted. This has always worked for me. Currants are really quite easy to grow. I would prune off both extra branches and prune one third off of the remaining twig. What type of currants are they? Flora, you are a currant 'expert' this grower needs your help, please add your ifo. Mrs. G

Thanks so much. Mrs G!

I've attached a photo of the espaliered red currant that was the inspiration behind my wanting to try this. It looks really nice as all of the fruit hangs down like little jewels.

To answer your question, it's a 'rovada' red currant.

So I will prune the two branches off, leaving the one main branch as the 'trunk'...

I'll hold off on cutting that one back though - wouldn't that force it to branch out at the top? So I was going to wait on that until the stem reached the desired height then I'll clip it and hope some side branches are formed to trail along the top of the fence. right?

sorry for all the questions - pretty new at gardening, and definitely new at espaliers!

I'm afraid I just have my red currants as bushes and have never grown an espalier one. I'm just a bit surprised it's still dormant in May. Mine are in flower and beginning to set fruitlets.

I have seen them grown as cordons but not espaliers. I imagine the technique would be the same as any espalier. Have you thought of doing a fan to get more fruit from the same space? You could do that if you already have three growths. Or a multi layered espalier rather than just a single tier?

Here is a link that might be useful: Redcurrant cordons

Oh - thanks for the tip about leaving a couple of nodes on the ones I'll cut back - I hadn't thought of that but it's a good idea for sure.

And yes - I am NOT planning on trimming the main cordon. If I understand all of this correctly, that will not help me achieve the one, main 'trunk' that I'm after but instead will encourage branching which I don't want quite yet.

I'll keep you posted! And keep me updated on your progress as well:) Thanks again...

I see!!! Its beautiful, yes, your pruning direction is correct. Mine was not and for a shrub, sorry!

You can head the main branch, just use a modified leader to continue. And if it splits, remove the other split. Not a big deal. It may even be desirable to do to stimulate growth. I actually have the book "The Pruning Book" by Lee Reich. And that is his rovada currant pictured. He goes over how he did it. I think the info is online too. OK, well I just read the section and he does not trim the main branch at all. Till it reaches the top. Lee say summer prune any laterals that develop on the two splits, he prunes to 5 inches. Then in winter prunes these laterals to 2 inches. I guess once established you just keep doing this. I guess you would prune ends to keep at desired length.
On my two, I didn't trim other branches, but he says summer pruning is OK, so once mine establish (they have only been in the ground a few days!) I will prune them down to a few inches. I read in another book about keeping spares, as the cordon can and at times do fail.
The idea here is to make it look pretty. it's not about production. A bush will produce more. I have 6 bushes growing too! 2 red, 2 white, and 2 pink!
Here is Laxton No 1 with Jesse the wonder dog on guard against currant snatchers!

This post was edited by Drew51 on Thu, May 16, 13 at 16:02

Here is the "London Market" red cultivar just put in yesterday.

Nice Drew! Hope they grow well for you - I'd take a photo of mine but it literally just looks like someone poked a stick in the ground. Someone else had wondered why it's still dormant in May - it just arrived in the mail from the nursery as a bare root, dormant plant. Hopefully it's not actually dead! we'll see I suppose.

Thanks again to all for sharing your wisdom:)

I thought I would update my plants. Here's Laxton's No 1
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It has about 12-15 inches to make it to the top. it's growing well, even has a few flowers
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Here is London Market. Only about an inch short. Most of the new growth has been at the base.
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I removed most of the new canes at the base, hoping it will concentrate energy into the cordon
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The cordon looks bare, but it is growing. Just not leafed out yet.
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