Grow Your Own Magazine

Before my dad get rid of it, is anybody interested in cuttings from his josta bush?

PM me with your details if you would like some

Cheers

Ahh you missed an opourtunity there Chris. You should have started it

"Josta minute anyone else want a cutting"

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Grooooan

We have a family tradition that works along those lines and drives my mum barmy - which is why we continue it

Christmas time we always have a trifle - in addition to the other morsels that may frequent the table. One year my Dad was asked if he wanted some - Just a trifle was his reply for which he nearly got batted round the ear and it has continured ever since. It's a case of who can come up with a new trifle comment and set my mum of again - sense of humour bypass

Am i the only one who does'nt know what a Josta bush is? Thought someone would ask.

I don't know either Bramble! So thanks for asking.

I had to look it up (at first I thought it was hosta misspelt ) apparently, it's cross between a gooseberry and a blackcurrant - sounds very tasty!

Josta nuvva fruit bush Bramble

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Sorry - being a Newbie on here , I thought all you knowledgeabel ones would know what it is, didn't occur to me you wouldln't

Yes it's a blackcurrant/gooseberry - very tasty - you can even make twig pie with it - another family favourite - if you don't strip the fruit properly from the stalks!!

Do you think it would grow this far north Chris?

I can't find much info on the web about them, but bing a cross between blackcurrant and gooseberry, both of which are very hardy, I would think it'll be fine. Can I have a cutting too please? Would you like to swap for something else? PM on its way!

I have some Jostaberry bushes. They are fairly new so I expect a proper harvest from them next year. Ken Muir says they are vigorous, upright and thornless and are resistant to American gooseberry mildew, blackcurrant leaf spot and blackcurrant gall mite. The flowers, which can go unnoticed, are self pollinating and unless protected, are easily damaged by severe frosts in spring. The yield is heavy. I hope this helps.

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If its ok with you Chris I think I might try a cutting. Will pm you and perhaps do a swap for something.
Jennie

Just reporting that the cuttings Chris sent me are starting to flower. Hray!! Thanks Chris.

Err..... what do I do with them now? I put two each in a pot, so should I see if the root system looks reasonable and split them up into a bigger pot? What sort of compost would be best I wonder? I'll have to grow them in pots (like my gooseberries), until I see how they fare with the wind/sun/etc on the plot. Ooohh exciting ...

PS not flower, just got a few leaves on them

Good grief, an I meant to know the answer to that.

I could be wrong but I really don't think they have any special requiements, so treat them as you would any other fruit bush

Plant it, water it, watch it grow

Jennie read my earlier post about the flowers and spring frosts!

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Thanks Lesley. I'm keeping all the fruit bushes in the polytunnel until I know the frosts are passed - probably sometime around July!

Hi Jennie, flowers already, the buds on mine are just starting to open.
Thanks Chris B for kindly sending them to me.
jennie, we will have to compare notes on this fruit as it is my first time to grow them also.

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And when you're back stops aching,
And you're hands begin to harden.
You will find yourself a partner,
In the glory of the garden.

Rudyard Kipling.

I have a small leaf on mine! Two of the three cuttings have struck, really interested to see what the fruit will look like but I suspect I might have to wait a year to find out... thanks again ChrisB!

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Dwell simply ~ love richly

Bramble - I've just got a few leaves - typed flower by mistake! Yes we'll all have to post a piccie later in the year, see how we all fared. I not bracing myself for making jam this year though!