Not much luck with these plants
I actually got the double pack, that came with this variety, and the Invicta. When plants arrived, one was very dried out, and pretty much DOA. I contacted Starks, and they sent out a replacement for that one. The other plant that originally came, grew like crazy, got tons of leaves, started even flowering. The replacement plant sent, was basically the size of a cutting, about 6 inches from root to top. I didn't complain though, it was a free replacement. Fast forward, about a month and a half later, both plants have died, even the one that was doing so well. Soil PH was fine, water was fine, tried to add Nitro, since it was recommended by someone who also had some early issues with their Gooseberries. As much as the bigger plant had grown, there is no way pest destroyed it, and I checked for this several times. I planted about 50 different plants this year, and tons of other berries, these were the only plants I had trouble with. I am left with the conclusion, that it had to be disease, since there really wouldn't be any other explanation for a plant that was doing so well, to suddenly take this harsh of a turn. As much as I hear about how pest/disease resistant these plants are, I'm not so sure about that anymore. This was the first, and probably last time I will grow Gooseberries. I live in Zone 7b, in the south, so if you live in similar area, you may want to think twice.
