Gooseberry

 Gooseberry forever dormant Common Reasons & Fixes

1️⃣ Too Much Heat (Very Common in LA)

Gooseberries don’t like hot, dry weather.

Symptoms:

Few leaves

No new growth

Looks stuck or dormant

Leaves may drop early

What to do:

Give morning sun only, afternoon shade.

Use 30–50% shade cloth in summer.

Mulch thickly (2–3 inches wood chips).

Keep soil consistently moist (not dry, not soggy).

In LA heat, they often slow down in summer and grow better in early spring and fall.

2️⃣ Soil Problem

Gooseberries like:

Slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5)

Well-draining but moist soil

If soil is:

Too sandy → dries too fast

Too clay → roots suffocate

Fix:

Add compost

Add worm castings

Add mulch

Avoid heavy chemical fertilizer

3️⃣ Not Enough Nitrogen

If leaves are small and pale, plant may be hungry.

You can:

Add compost

Use organic fertilizer (like 5-5-5 or fish fertilizer)

Apply lightly in early spring

Do NOT over fertilize — that can stress it more.

4️⃣ Root Stress (Very Important if in Pot)

Are yours in pots?

If yes:

Check if roots are root-bound

Repot into slightly bigger container (at least 5–10 gallon)

Make sure drainage holes are good

5️⃣ Not Enough Winter Chill

Gooseberries need cold winter to wake up properly.

Los Angeles sometimes doesn’t give enough chill hours.

Result:

Weak spring growth

Late leafing

Small plant

Nothing much you can fix for that except:

Grow the most heat-tolerant variety

Keep plant cool and healthy

🌿 What I Recommend You Do Now

Move to morning sun / afternoon shade

Add compost + thick mulch

Water deeply but not every day

Light organic fertilizer in early spring

Be patient — they may grow better when weather cools