I have two champagne currant bushes that I have had zero luck with. For two years they have produced fruit - looking very promising and the next thing you know they are dried up and crusty looking. They are planted on the north side of the house and they are well composted. Can anyone give me an idea?
Lots of different factors in play here. Elevation (above sea level), soil moisture, humidity, acidity/alkalinity of the soil, fungal infections, insects are vectors for various other diseases too. From the brief description, I would suggest something like black rot, a fungal disease.
Thats what I was thinking. We have a problem with black rot here in the south on grapes. They do the same thing. If this is a small plant you can spray with an antifungal. I use betadine diluted in water with a squirt of pet shampoo for bugs !! Works great!
My grapes are amazing no problems whatsoever, so I don't think there is a connection there. I looked into black rot last year, but it didn't seem to fit the bill, I will do some research on that again. My soil is clay. I have amended it and continue to amend it on a regular basis - that may have something to do with it. The rest of the plant appears to be okay.
You might also check out birdseye fungus. From what I read it affects only the fruit I think. But could be wrong on that,,its been a while since I read it.
