Blackcurrant ‘Big Ben’Ribes nigrum
£10.99
Out of stock
Overview
Bred by the Scottish Crop Research Institute, Big Ben is an outstanding early season variety with many excellent qualities. Its standout feature however is that it produces enormous blackcurrants – two or three times the size of other varieties. Developed especially for the fresh market, the fruit has a soft shiny skin and is extremely sweet – particularly so when eaten straight from the bush! Mature bushes of this variety develop a slightly arching habit which makes the fruit easier to pick and enables the plants to be wire-trained if so desired. Resistant to powdery mildew and leaf spot. Cropping season: approx 8-10 days before Ben Lomond. Self fertile.
Plant 1.5m (5ft) apart in rows 2m (6ft) apart. Plant in a sheltered frost-free spot in a slightly acid, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. When planting ensure the root ball is moist before planting. Plant in a hole twice the diameter of the root-ball or pot. Mix and organic soil improver and general fertiliser with the infill soil. Water regularly until established.
The best fruit is produced on previous year’s branches. Cut back all shoots to within 2-3 buds of soil level after planting. In the third year cut weak and damaged shoots. From year 3 cut back third of the older branches. Apply a general fertilizer in spring.
Flowering Months
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Flower Colour | White |
|---|---|
| Availability Date Learn more | November onwards |
| Flowering Month | April |
| Soil Type | Acid, Alkaline, Heavy clay, Light sandy, Normal |
| Aspect | Sun |
| Hardiness Learn more | Hardy |
| Foliage Type | Deciduous |
| Foliage Colour | Green |
| Height after 10 years* Learn more | 1½m (5ft) |
| Pot Size Learn more | 3 Litre |
| Special Attributes |
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