Blackcurrant Ben Connan (Ribes Nigrum) Fruit Bush 3ltr Pot

About Blackcurrant Ben Connan

Bred by the Scottish Crop Research Institute, Ben Connan isa very popular early fruiting variety. Exceptionally large and glossy black currants that have superb rich flavour. Neat compact grower bearing fruit on medium length sprigs making them easy to pick. Heavy cropper – usually out yields all other varieties in trials, branches are often weighted down with fruit, but return to upright position after harvest. Resistant to mildew, leaf spot and highly resistant to leaf-curling midge. Very frost tolerant, so ideal for growing in colder climes! Perfect variety where space is at a premium.

• Self fertile
• Planting Distance 1.5m apart
• Height & Spread 1.2m x 1.2m
• Crops Early July

An ideal fruit to grow in a container or small garden, the ben connan is a Scottish bred blackcurrant variety that will crop from early July on . This is a hardy and compact, easy to grow plant that is great for new growers and expert cooks alike. Thick woody stems produce light green serrated leaves and dangling clusters of large, heavy cropping black fruit that hang from low hanging making them easy to harvest. A great and refreshing fruit that goes well with yogurt, ice cream or on its own the sweet juice of the blackcurrant goes amazing well with lemonade or if crushed up with gin and tonic water. This variety is frost tolerant and resistant to mildew, leaf spot and midges which make it a fantastic variety for novice growers.

How to look after blackcurrants

Blackcurrants prefer moist, well-drained soil in full sun, or light shade. Feed with a liquid fertilizer once in the spring to encourage a good yield. Repot every 2-3 years into the same pot or slightly larger. Trim back some of the roots and tease away the old soil replacing it with fresh compost. Trim twice-yearly and In July, trim all new side shoots to 5 leaves. In winter, cut back main stems by half and any side shoots back to 2 buds. Any stems that are damaged, dead or out of place can also be removed.

How do you harvest blackcurrants?

In early to mid-summer, the plant will produce small white or pink flowers that will soon fall off to reveal the young fruit. Over the next few months, the fruit will grow inside and change from green to black. Once the whole fruit has gone black you can harvest the fruit by pinching it and twisting it off the stem. Avoid pulling the fruit as it may not come off completely.

How do you store blackcurrants?

Once picked a blackcurrant will not last long. If you want to preserve your fruits for longer you can either blend the fruits into a thick juice which you can freeze or freeze whole fruits in an airtight bag.