Missouri gooseberry

Watering Missouri gooseberry plants should be done deeply and infrequently to promote healthy root growth and prevent over-watering. These plants prefer slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil and should be watered about once every 7-10 days. It is important not to water too often as this can result in root rot. If the soil dries out too much, increase watering to twice a week. When watering, aim to moisten the entire root ball and pause to let excess water drain away. To ensure you are providing an appropriate amount of water, use a soil moisture meter to track moisture levels and adjust accordingly.

Missouri gooseberry (Ribes missouriense) prefers full sun to part shade. It can tolerate either but will not bear fruit or flower unless regularly exposed to 6-8 hours of direct sun per day. A western or southern exposure is best for this plant. The amount of sunlight the plant receives may vary slightly depending on the season. During the summer months, Missouri gooseberry can receive a full 8 hours of direct sun, and during the winter months, it can still receive 5-6 hours of direct sun.

Missouri gooseberry should be pruned in the late winter or early spring. Pruning needs to be done to remove dead, weak, or damaged branches and to open up the center of the shrub so that new lateral shoots can form. When pruning, the goal is to create an evenly branched, round-shaped shrub. Prune out branches that cross over each other and thin out any overly dense areas. To promote bushier and fuller shrubs, selectively remove 1/3 to 1/2 of the oldest canes or branches at the base each season. Also, remove up to 1 fourth of the tips of the new shoots at the same time.