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does anyone know what causes dark red blisters to appear on red currant leaves only top leaves affected so far?

Hello there colkitto -and welcome to the Vine!

I too have this problem, and it's caused by the Currant Blister Aphid.
I pinch out the affected leaves and burn them as soon as they appear.
They lay their eggs on the bushes in autumn, and can be sprayed then to break the cycle.
Don't know what you would use as I try to be organic, but someone else should be able to help you out.
At this stage I think destroying the leaves and aphids is the trick.

Thanks Nicos, prefer to be organic myself. Squished one small aphid and the leaves are coming off!

Hi Colkitto,

Welcome to the vine, you'll have to keep an eye out for Sewer Rat he's from your neck of the woods

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Hi Colkitto, I think some 'organic' gardeners spray with Derris (powder or liquid) but I wouldn't really consider it organic as it can kill beneficial as well as pest type insects.You could try encouraging aphid hunters such as ladybirds & lacewings into your garden by providing homes for them (you can buy ready made ones or make your own out of bits of wood & hollow canes) & planting lots of nectar rich flowers to attract hoverflies as well. You could always give the leaves a good blasting with water to wash the aphids off too.

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Amazed you have leaves out yet. My bushes are only just sprouting now!

Yep, down here the fruit is well on its way now. I have a terrible blister aphid problem again this year. tried picking them off etc but seems to make little differance as we had prob last year. Reluctant to spray but need to do something. we've got enough ladybugs etc. What about soap-would that help?

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