I have a Xenia gooseberry bush which arrived in good condition but hasn't grown at all in two years. In its first year, something stripped it of leaves two or three times, but I never saw the culprit. In its second year, I reluctantly sprayed it with a fruit bush pesticide and it kept its leaves, but still never really thrived. It's in a border at the front of the house in full sun. The winter raspberries and the redcurrant to either side of it are doing well.
I now have an allotment which is in full sun and and has great soil. I think it would have its best chance there, but I am hesitant about moving my sad gooseberry there in case I bring the sawfly (or whatever the mystery leaf stripper is) with it, and cause problems for the other gooseberry bush I have just planted there or my neighbour's huge, beautiful gooseberry bushes.
Do I need to harden my heart and not risk giving the Xenia a spot on the allotment in case of unwanted passengers?