I have just purchased a nice gooseberry bush but found two green caterpillars and maybe more eating the foliage. Can you advise me on what insect spray would be the best, and any other advice you can help me with? Never grew one before, so a bit of a learner who loves gooseberries.
Regardless of the type, all caterpillars are treated the same. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/prevent-caterpillars.htm
Neem oil may also be effective. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
I can't find anywhere on the internet as to the time of year to plant gooseberries. I live in Zone 5 in southern Indiana.
This article should help with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/gooseberries/growing-gooseberries.htm
I have purchased five 5 ft raspberry canes to grow in a large pot, as I have a small garden. Is it possible to do the same with gooseberries by keeping them in a large pot as you would if growing peas or beans in a wigwam shape? And would I prune the side shoots off each year to keep the shape.
Yes, you can grow gooseberries in containers as well, just make sure to provide the same growing requirements and adequate drainage. This article provide growing info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/gooseberries/growing-gooseberries.htm I assume the pruning is for the raspberry plants. This article should help with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/raspberry/pruning-raspberry-bushes.htm
My gooseberry bush is real healthy but when I pick the berries many have worms in them. What can I do to get rid of them?
The following articles should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/gooseberries/gooseberry-maggot-control.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/using-bacillus-thuringiensis.htm
Is there some reason that gooseberries don't grow in Oklahoma?
There should be no reason why you couldn't grow gooseberries in Oklahoma so long as their growing requirements are met. Gooseberries are best planted while still dormant, from early February through mid-March. They tolerate heavy soils, but will need good drainage, so you may want to consider planting them in a raised bed. Gooseberries are planted much like grapes, but they do not require as much space. Set the plants 4 feet apart in the row. Before setting plants, cut the tops back to 6 to 10 inches. Plants are also set slightly deeper than the soil line, so that the first branch starts just below the soil surface. This encourages a bushier growth habit. Gooseberries require plenty of moisture and will require regular irrigation. Mulch the plants to help retain soil moisture. This will also help keep soils cooler during the hot days of summer. Good cultivars for Oklahoma include ‘Poorman’, ‘Invicta’, and ‘Pixwell’.
I had a gooseberry bush that gave about 6 fruit and died so I threw the fruit in a large pot with my rose and now I have cape gooseberry bushes everywhere. They have fruit on in varying sizes but I don't know when the fruit is ripe to pick. Is there a way to tell?
Well, it will be interesting to see if the berries are any good. Since you don't have a particular variety (plants grown from seeds produced by a hybrid don't have predictable characteristics), there's no way to tell what size or color or taste the berries will have. The only way to tell is to try them as they get soft, and just before they get soft, to see how they taste. Here are a couple of articles with information on growing gooseberries: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/gooseberries/growing-gooseberries.htm
http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/gooseberry.html
I have in a container a very healthy looking plant but I have had it for about two years and it has never flowered or produced anything. It is well fed and watered. What can I try, if anything, please?
If you did not get flowers at all, try adding a little phosphorous (e.g. bone meal). A lack of phosphorous will cause a lack of flowers. No flowers means no fruit.