Long-fruited honeysuckle

Long-fruited honeysuckle is a variety in demand among gardeners with juicy fruits and strong immunity. It is worth considering in more detail the key characteristics of the plant and the conditions for its cultivation.

For the first time, the variety was included in the State Register in 1994. The bush was bred by domestic breeders and in 1989 passed all the necessary tests.

Long-fruited Honeysuckle is a medium-sized shrub with a medium spreading crown. Among the main characteristics:

• bush height - 1 m;

• crown shape - spherical;

• shoots - curved;

• leaves are oblong, dark green.

The leaf plates are slightly pubescent. During the flowering period, the bush produces white-yellow funnel-shaped buds.

Honeysuckle forms large berries as early as 2 or 3 years after planting. Fruit characteristics:

• shape - cylindrical, elongated;

• length - 3 cm;

• weight - 2 g;

• dark-blue colour.

The skin is notable for its small thickness and tubercles, it is characterized by a waxy coating. The pulp is juicy, purple-red in color.

Tasters rate the palatability of berries at 4.8 points out of 5. The berries contain acids, sugar and vitamin C. Pleasant taste and lack of bitterness are the key advantages of fruits that attract gardeners to use them both for fresh consumption and for preservation. ...

The first flowers appear on the honeysuckle bush in early May, which makes the variety a group of plants with an early ripening period. The bush forms berries closer to the first days of June.

The average yield reaches 1.5-2.4 kg per bush. With careful care, it can be increased to 3 kg per bush.

Long-fruited honeysuckle belongs to the group of self-fertile varieties. For the formation of fruits, you need to take care of planting pollinating varieties nearby. Basically, gardeners prefer Chernichka or Sineglazka.

It is easy to grow honeysuckle in the garden if you correctly approach the planting of the shrub and caring for it. Before you start planting, you need to prepare the soil. To do this, dig a hole up to 50 cm deep and up to 60 cm wide.A layer of fertilizer from rotted manure, potassium salt and superphosphate is laid on the bottom.

Honeysuckle can be planted in compact groups due to its small root system. Therefore, if a garden of shrubs is planned, then 2 meters can be left between the rows, and 2.5 meters recede from buildings and other objects.

Landing scheme.

1. The day before planting, the seedling is placed in a bucket of water. If necessary, growth stimulants are also added to the water, which will have a positive effect on immunity and the ability to take root.

2. Before planting, the roots are gently straightened.After the seedling is carefully lowered into the hole, where the fertilizers were previously placed. It is important to ensure that the root system is not damaged.

3. The planted bush is sprinkled with soil and thoroughly watered with a bucket of previously settled water.

4. Mulching is performed around the bush using sawdust.

It will be possible to achieve high crop yields thanks to proper care. Basic recommendations.

1. Watering. Long-fruited honeysuckle does not like waterlogging, it immediately begins to rot. It is characterized by moderate watering. The first time the shrub is watered in the spring, it is better to do this in warm sunny weather. Average watering volume is 1-2 buckets of water. The second time the bush is watered when the buds are tied, reducing the volume of water. After fruiting, watering is performed only as needed, if there is no regular rainfall. The last watering is carried out in September.

2. Top dressing. The plant prefers regular feeding from organic and inorganic fertilizers. Potash and phosphorus compounds are more often used, however, after planting and during the flowering period, fertilizers from manure, ash and other natural components are also in demand.

3. Pruning. Long-fruited honeysuckle grows rapidly, which requires regular pruning to form the crown and eliminate weak branches. Most of the pruning is done in the spring or fall.

Careful plant care will prevent diseases of the bush, as well as increase yields.

Among the common diseases to which the variety is exposed, the following are especially distinguished:

• powdery mildew;

• ramulariasis;

• European cancer.

Any of these diseases can quickly destroy the bush. For prevention purposes, it is recommended to treat the variety with copper sulfate and other effective drugs. And also, if the plant has undergone a disease, it is worth performing timely pruning of the affected branches.

Dangerous pests of honeysuckle:

• aphid;

• spider mite;

• goldfish.

And also the bush suffers from the attacks of the red-legged shield bug. A soapy solution will help you deal with unwanted guests. You can also use "Karbofos" - a special tool for pest control.

The culture is characterized by increased resistance to frost, therefore, even in Siberian regions, it is not necessary to cover the bush. During the flowering period, the plant is able to withstand frosts down to -7 degrees Celsius, which attracts gardeners.

The variety tolerates drought worse, therefore, in the absence of regular rainfall, it is recommended to increase the amount of watering in order to prevent the death of the plant.

The variety is quite picky about soils. It is recommended to plant honeysuckle in higher elevations where the water table is low. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the roots will quickly begin to rot. Additional conditions:

• the place must be protected from drafts;

• the site must be open to sunlight;

• when planting in clayey waterlogged soils, it is necessary to provide a drainage system.

And also it is worth taking care of the availability of nearby varieties that can pollinate honeysuckle for the subsequent formation of fruits.