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Honeysuckle is a relatively unpretentious crop, which even an inexperienced, novice gardener can maintain in proper condition. Care for honeysuckle in the spring should include a variety of activities covering the full range of agrotechnical methods that are used in growing this crop. Usually the schedule of spring work is the busiest, since many important issues have to be resolved in a relatively short time.
The flowering period of honeysuckle falls already in May, before it begins, it is important to complete all care activities.
How to care for honeysuckle in spring
In general, the process of spring care for edible honeysuckle consists of two parts: one-time and periodic events. The first includes works carried out once a season:
- sanitary pruning;
- the first spring top dressing (nitrogenous);
- preventive treatment for fungus.
Periodic activities include watering and regular loosening of the soil.
It should be noted right away that planting and transplanting honeysuckle in the spring cannot be carried out. A plant that has not had time to adapt under the influence of solar heat will begin to grow profusely and, most likely, will die. The only exception is the planting of last year’s lignified cuttings in the greenhouse.
What to do with honeysuckle in spring
Below are the activities that need to be carried out to care for honeysuckle bushes in the spring. They include mainly preventive procedures associated with the exit of the plant from the cold season, as well as preparing the bush for flowering and fruiting.
Rules of landing
Buds on honeysuckle bloom in early spring, so it is recommended to plant in the fall so that the plant comes out of its dormant period with an intact root system. Landing in spring time is allowed only in two cases:
- planting cuttings prepared in advance from lignified shoots in a greenhouse;
- transshipment of an earthen clod together with a seedling grown in advance in indoor or greenhouse conditions;
In the first case, it is important to plant the cuttings at an angle of 45 ° in light soil, which must first be introduced into the greenhouse. The thickness of the fertile layer should be at least 30 cm.
The distance between the cuttings with such a planting must be at least 50 cm, so that later they can be transferred to a permanent place of growth without injuring the root system.
Planting honeysuckle in the spring is carried out with a clod of earth
If a fully formed seedling is planted, then it must be done according to the following rules:
- Landing is carried out after bud break, in early April.
- Landing pits are prepared in advance. It is best to make them in the fall and add 10 kg of humus or compost to each. The dimensions of the pits are 50x60x40 cm. They are placed at a distance of 1,5 m from each other.
- Several different varieties of honeysuckle should also be selected in advance, since many of its varieties are self-fertile and require pollinators for normal yields.
- The choice of location and type of soil is not critical, since the plant is undemanding to these parameters. However, it is recommended to use sunny areas with fertile loamy soil.
- A mound is formed in the center of the pit, on which a seedling is placed along with a clod of earth so as not to injure the root system.
- The pit is covered with garden soil, rammed and watered.
- The soil around the bush should be mulched with straw or sawdust.
Watering and feeding
Caring for honeysuckle in April means providing it with enough moisture so that the plant enters the flowering phase normally. During this time, it is recommended to carry out 4-6 waterings, based on the norms of 40-50 liters for each bush. So that the top layer of soil does not seize with a crust, it should either be regularly loosened or covered with mulch.
Top dressing at this stage is produced once. It is advisable to do it before the buds open, but this is not necessary. The main thing is to have time to spend it before mid-April. In this case, it will be enough to add ammonium nitrate in the amount of 15 g per 1 sq. m.
Care in May for honeysuckle consists in continuing watering and loosening the soil. Feeding is not required at this stage. Honeysuckle after flowering has a sufficient supply of nutrients.
The third dressing for the season is carried out during the care of honeysuckle in July. To do this, you need to add 30 g of nitroammophoska diluted in 10 liters of water under each bush.
Trimming
If the plant is young (1-2 years), spring pruning is not necessary, as this can lead to inhibition of honeysuckle growth or even death. The only exception is sanitary pruning of injured or frostbitten branches.
The formation of the crown is carried out in early spring (at the latest – the beginning of April). Plants older than 3 years are allowed for pruning.
Formative pruning is done in case of too strong thickening of the bush.
Approximate diagram of a fruit-bearing honeysuckle bush during formative pruning
Anti-aging pruning consists of the following steps:
- removal of the lower tier of branches located too close to the ground and creeping along it;
- removal of dry, damaged and slightly leafy shoots;
- formation of a spherical or oval crown.
Conditionally anti-aging pruning is divided into two stages, separated by two seasons. At the first, all shoots should be shortened at a level of 30-40 cm from the ground. At the second stage, about half of the branches that have formed over the last season are removed.
The sequence of anti-aging pruning by year
During its implementation, the following rules are followed:
- The cut points are treated with oil paint or garden pitch.
- If pruning is not carried out until the end of March or the beginning of April, it is better to postpone it to the next season.
- The tops of young shoots should not be removed, as flowers form on them.
- Skeletal branches are removed to the very base.
Tips from seasoned gardeners on caring for honeysuckle in the spring
The main advice that experienced gardeners give when growing honeysuckle in the spring is that it is recommended to plant only those varieties that have late vegetation. This is necessary in order to land before bud break.
More spring care for honeysuckle is presented in the video:
It is also recommended to carry out preventive treatment of the plant from possible fungal diseases. For guaranteed protection, you can use Bordeaux liquid 1%, which is sprayed with a sprayer. But at the same time, there is a high probability of burning young leaves and unblown buds. Therefore, a more gentle composition is recommended, including the following components:
- 100 g of ash;
- 10 g of soap;
- 1 L of water.
They should also spray the shoots of the plant as soon as the air temperature rises above + 5 ° C.
Preventive spraying is carried out after the appearance of the first leaves.
Conclusion
Care for honeysuckle in the spring consists of activities related to the transition of the plant from the cold season to the warm one. They include pruning, preventive treatment for diseases, top dressing and watering. A feature of honeysuckle is the early budding, so all preparatory measures must be carried out before this moment.