Blackcurrant bushes advice please

[Spanglemum02]

Hi,

We have about 4 blackcurrant bushes in a corner of the garden that were there when we moved in 15 years ago. They have always cropped and I've always pruned them in the recommended way.

This year they have got overgrown with brambles and bindweed which is obviously my fault but I've noticed in the past few years that the currants are on very short strings so they are more like bunches of grapes and they seem to rot.

My question is, are the bushes too old and its time to start again? Or is it because of the over growth?

I have another patch of blackcurrant bushes that came from a neighbour and are not like this.

Thanks

Hmm... I don't know a lot about blackcurrants specifically, but in general terms a deformity in plants can be caused by a virus or some sort of gall mite or pest. Maybe try pruning the whole lot right down now, and dispose of everything in the normal rubbish, not in the compost bin. Feed well as soon as you see new growth. Then if the same thing happens again next year, I'd dig the whole lot up and get rid in case it is something that can spread to others.

Caveat - this is what I would probably decide to do in my garden, and is not based on any particular currant bush expertise!

Thank you!