Honeysuckle Blueberry

Blueberry is an edible variety of honeysuckle. This ornamental plant has been decorating summer cottages and private gardens for over 25 years. Despite its low yield, the variety is very popular among farmers.

Chernichka was allowed to industrial cultivation in 1994. The new variety was developed at the South Ural Research Institute of Horticulture and Potato Growing. The organization is located in the Chelyabinsk region. Free pollination of the Smolinskaya variety was used in the work. Variety trials lasted 5 years - from 1989 to 1994.

Blueberry has the shape of a sprawling compact bush. The bushes are usually medium-sized. The height of one and a half meters does not create difficulties when caring for the plant and harvesting. Thick and slightly curved shoots are distinguished by an unusual purple color. They form a reverse conical crown.

Elongated oval leaves have a dark green glossy color. Their base resembles a wedge, the dimensions are not too large. Thin veins abundantly branch out over the entire surface of the plate.

By mid-May, Blueberry is covered with small pale yellow flowers. The latter emit a very bright and rich aroma, which encourages pollinating insects to fly to the site.

Elongated tuberous berries weigh 0.75 g, they are fixed on the branches thanks to dense stalks. It should be noted that the berries can crumble when overripe. The fruits are covered with a thin blue skin with a slight waxy bloom.

This variety was called blueberry for a reason, because its sweet and sour taste, which received a rating of 4.5 points, really has refreshing blueberry shades. Ripe berry gives off a subtle, subtle aroma.

The described variety of honeysuckle is average in terms of ripening. The berries reach ripeness in the second decade of July, at the same time they begin to be eaten. It can last from 2 to 3 weeks. The berries ripen on the bushes annually.

Blueberry has a low yield. Only 2.5 kilograms are removed from the bush for the entire fruiting period. From a hectare - an average of 45 centners. If we are talking about the maximum figures, then they are 57 centners / hectare.

Honeysuckle Chernichka was created for cultivation in the Chelyabinsk region. But the variety turned out to be so successful that it took root in almost all regions of the country, not even excluding Siberia.

Blueberry belongs to the group of non-self-fertile honeysuckle varieties. Like most varieties of this plant, it requires pollinators. You won't need to choose a variety for a long time: you can take any honeysuckle and plant it nearby. The main thing is that it bloom in May.

It should be noted the following recommendations for the cultivation of Blueberries.

• Planting is recommended in October. However, this does not apply to regions where frosts come too quickly in autumn.

• Planting holes must have a drainage layer. When planting, the root collar is slightly buried into the ground, by about 2 centimeters.

• Freshly planted sprouts will need a layer of mulch. In this case, it is better to give preference to organic materials.

• Irrigation is carried out as the top soil layer dries up. In total, there should be at least three waterings during the growing season.

• The area around the bush must be cleared of weeds in a timely manner. In addition, the soil will have to be tilled after each irrigation.

• The plant does not like drought, therefore, in order to preserve moisture in the substrate, gardeners mulch it with chips or needles.

• Top dressing is applied strictly according to the schedule. In April, 20 grams of urea is added to the soil, in July they are fed with slurry at the rate of 10 liters per bush, and in September they give 15 grams of double superphosphate and potassium salt.

• Forming pruning is carried out to plants in the first three years, then they can be stopped. But sanitary and thinning are recommended annually.

Blueberries are not prone to disease. In rare years, it can be affected by powdery mildew. The disease is successfully treated with the drug "Skor". In the case of brown spot, 1% Bordeaux liquid is used. But the plant shows special resistance to the mosaic virus.

Pest attacks are rare. However, the honeysuckle sawfly can be seen from time to time. The insect is destroyed by Inta-Vir.

Honeysuckle can withstand frosts down to -50 degrees, and not only bushes, but also the buds are winter-hardy. In case of spring freezing (up to -8), they will not die. Plants hibernate quietly, but preparation must still be done. The land around the bush is cleaned, the weeds are pulled out. Then mulch with peat. Shoots are tied up so that mice do not damage them, you can also put nets. Young plants are additionally protected by spruce branches.

The following should be noted here:

• seedlings are placed in the sun or in partial shade;

• bushes protect from the wind through fences and buildings;

• the soil for planting is selected loose and moist, non-acidic;

• groundwater should flow one and a half meters from the top of the soil.