I have tried some of the currants recommended for Zone 9 (most are not) and the only one which has been successful is the 'Crandall' Ribes aureum, which resembles a black currant, but with a different flavor. Sweet enough to eat from the bush when ripe, fragrant flowers in spring. There are some native California currants and gooseberries, but I don't think they are very palatable. Why not grow things that people can't grow in other places -- subtropicals, yellow kiwis, etc. Can you grow Natal Plum where you are? The best varieties have fruit that resembles cranberries or lingonberries a little in flavor. Or how about musk strawberries instead of lingonberries? Of course, everybody always wants to grow the things that do well somewhere else.

You can head the main branch, just use a modified leader to continue. And if it splits, remove the other split. Not a big deal. It may even be desirable to do to stimulate growth. I actually have the book "The Pruning Book" by Lee Reich. And that is his rovada currant pictured. He goes over how he did it. I think the info is online too. OK, well I just read the section and he does not trim the main branch at all. Till it reaches the top. Lee say summer prune any laterals that develop on the two splits, he prunes to 5 inches. Then in winter prunes these laterals to 2 inches. I guess once established you just keep doing this. I guess you would prune ends to keep at desired length. On my two, I didn't trim other branches, but he says summer pruning is OK, so once mine establish (they have only been in the ground a few days!) I will prune them down to a few inches. I read in another book about keeping spares, as the cordon can and at times do fail. The idea here is to make it look pretty. it's not about production. A bush will produce more. I have 6 bushes growing too! 2 red, 2 white, and 2 pink! Here is Laxton No 1 with Jesse the wonder dog on guard against currant snatchers! This post was edited by Drew51 on Thu, May 16, 13 at 16:02

Hi again Dogonit. Beeone tells it like it is- you'll be eating your own corn, tomatoes, even eggplant and sometimes canteloupe. I don't know what the laws are regarding transplanting from the wild, but my own thought is that if done with an eye to conservation it's harmless. Many populations tolerate a little thinning. We've moved a few things -ferns, larkspur, violas (Johnny jump-ups) that have done well, but we were disappointed when a ladyslipper orchid (cypripedium montanum) died out after a couple or three years. We would not have lifted that one except that it was in the way of road construction. Rocky Mountain Wildflowers is a good choice, in my mind. There are others, but the Craigheads know their stuff from long experience. Local nurseries should be good. I lean towards older, funkier outfits. My wife worked for one just west of Helena in the 60's, but the name escapes me. As to the weather, remember there's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. Lay in a supply of polypro long johns, fleece jackets and vests, Woolrich and Pendleton shirts, gloves and mitten liners, and a few nice wool sweaters, and, of course, Malone pants (with suspenders, I hope!) for real comfort. Dress in layers so you can customize yourself to the (ever-changing) conditions. Insulated coveralls can make a world of difference when you're ice-fishing on Canyon Ferry or Georgetown Lake in the middle of the night in December. Montana people aren't like those back east because they're rarer. In the east there are so many people they get in the way, and people need to shout to be noticed. In the West there's so few, outside of our little cities, that you tend to be glad to see them when you can, and a whisper can be a shout. At the same time, we tend to value our privacy, and the opportunity to be alone in the hills or on a lake or river somewhere. Sometimes the measure of a good friend is somebody you can be alone with without much talk- so you may run into a peculiar kind of taciturnity. Plus, there's some jerks, too, but that's another story ... Best, M

Send me an email....we'll discuss :-))