Honeysuckle Bluebird

Honeysuckle is a culture with very worthy characteristics. It attracts the attention of gardeners with its unpretentiousness, decorativeness and original fruits.

Inference history

Initially, the types and varieties of culture originated from the Kamchatka honeysuckle. As a result of a spontaneous mutation of this variety, the edible variety “Blue Bird” was obtained. The cause of the mutation was the work of the gardener Lisavenko M.A. on pollination of Kamchatka honeysuckle at the Research Institute of Horticulture in Siberia. This happened during the existence of the USSR, and in 1989 the Blue Bird honeysuckle variety was already included in the State Register.

In the recommendations of scientists for growing the species, the Northwestern region was indicated. But the early ripening period, the taste and nutritional qualities of the fruit, and good adaptive abilities allowed the “Blue Bird” to quickly spread throughout Our Country. Although the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, Kamchatka and Magadan are considered to be the natural distribution area, you can meet the Blue Bird in any region.

Description and characteristics of the variety

Honeysuckle “Blue Bird” ripens early, belongs to varieties of universal purpose. The variety produces very tasty and healthy fruits, which are considered one of the main advantages of the culture. But it is important for gardeners to know the full description of the plant in order to navigate in matters of agricultural technology.

The bush is deciduous, upright, vigorous and spreading. The height of an adult plant is 1,2 m–1,4 m. With careful observance of the agrotechnical requirements of the variety, the parameter increases to 2 m. This should be taken into account when planting a plant in small areas. The branches are thin, young shoots with lettuce-colored pubescence, and last year’s ones are covered with bark and acquire a reddish-brick hue. The plant reacts negatively to heat and winter thaw, but frost or cold snap at the time of flowering does not cause a decrease in the vital activity of the Blue Bird bush.

The crown of the bush is sprawling, thickened and dense, shaped like a ball or ellipse. The crown diameter of an adult honeysuckle is 1,7 m–1,8 m.

The leaves resemble an oblong ellipse in shape. The color of the plates is light green, the surface is smooth and shiny.

The variety blooms very early, flowers appear immediately after the end of frost. They resemble yellowish bells in shape and grow in small bunches.

The berries of the variety are sweet with a pleasant aroma. They contain a large amount of nutrients and vitamins. The honeysuckle variety has an oval-elongated fruit shape, blue-black color, the length of the berries is about 2 cm, the average weight is 0,8 g. The use of berries is universal. They are good fresh and as preparations.

The yield of this variety of honeysuckle is 1,6-1,7 kg per bush, which is considered an average for a crop.

The Blue Bird variety has high winter hardiness. A bush without shelter can withstand frost down to -30 ° C.

The plant is distinguished by increased adaptive abilities to changes in growing conditions, good resistance to diseases and pests.

Pollinators

The variety belongs to the type of self-infertile. Therefore, when growing blue bird honeysuckle bushes, it is necessary to plant pollinating varieties. Without fulfilling this condition, it will not be possible to get a decent harvest. Neighboring varieties recommended for pollination are best taken from the Kamchatka selection line. According to gardeners, the following types of honeysuckle are suitable:

• “Morena”;
• “Blue Spindle”;
• “Titmouse”;
• “Start”;
• “Kamchadalka”;
• “Malvina”;
• “In memory of Kuminov”;
• “Cinderella”.

At least 3 different varieties of honeysuckle must be placed on the site, then the yield of the bush will correspond to the description, and the berries will grow sweeter.

To attract as many natural pollinators to the plant as possible, gardeners spray the buds with a sweet solution. It is prepared from 10 liters of water and 50 g of honey.

Features of fruiting

Variety “Blue Bird” ripens in late spring or early summer. Mid-June is the deadline. The plant begins to bear fruit 3-4 years after planting, and this period lasts up to 25 years. The honeysuckle of the Blue Bird variety is valued for allowing you to feast on fresh berries when other crops are just preparing for fruiting. The harvest on the bush is ready to be harvested before the wild strawberries ripen. You should not wait for the moment when the berries are overripe. In this case, they will quickly fall off the bush, although, according to reviews, even fallen specimens are well preserved. In order not to lose part of the crop, gardeners are advised to spread a piece of cloth under the bush so that the fruits do not fall to the ground.

Advantages and disadvantages

You can read a lot about the advantages and disadvantages of honeysuckle of the Blue Bird variety in the reviews of gardeners. The culture on the plots is not new, it has passed the test of time, many have been growing the variety for more than a year. Therefore, it is not difficult to make a list of characteristics.

Secrets of cultivation

Honeysuckle variety “Blue Bird” is characterized by persistent fruiting for a long time. Therefore, the plant should be planted in a good place, the bush should be planted correctly, and proper care should be provided. What is included in these concepts, we will consider below.

How to choose seedlings

To ensure good development and fruiting of the bush, it is best to plant two-year-old seedlings. They take root easily, quickly enter the fruiting phase. It is recommended to purchase seedlings in specialized nurseries or from trusted suppliers. This is due to the risk of acquiring a completely different plant, instead of the desired Blue Bird variety. It is optimal to choose a nursery located in your area. The plants that are sold there are already adapted to the surrounding conditions and soil characteristics.

When buying, pay attention to the parameters of the seedling:

• height – from 25 cm to 60 cm;
• age – not older than 3 years;
• closed root system (container);

  

• well developed numerous roots.

Stubs can be viewed with the permission of the seller. If a peeling bark has already formed on the seedling, then this should not confuse the buyer. This will not affect the development of the honeysuckle bush.

Terms of planting

The term for planting the Blue Bird honeysuckle bush directly depends on the duration of the vegetative period, the beginning and end of which occurs very early. Therefore, gardeners try not to plant seedlings of the variety in the spring. This is due to the fact that in many regions the kidneys begin to wake up much earlier than the soil and air warm up. If such a need arose, then in the spring the seedlings are simply transferred to the planting pit along with an earthen clod. The less damage the lump receives, the better the honeysuckle will take root.

The optimal time for planting a bush is 1–1,5 months after the end of fruiting. Before the onset of the first frost, the bushes have time to take root and gain strength for wintering. Planting bushes in the southern regions can be shifted to September (mid-end).

According to gardeners, honeysuckle “Blue Bird” takes root well at the end of summer. About 80% of seedlings successfully adapt to a new place. But the spring procedure cannot give such high rates.

Site and soil selection

For planting honeysuckle, choose an area well lit by the sun. The lack of light negatively affects the development of the bush and the taste of berries. They shrink and become much more sour. In addition, the Blue Bird variety does not like strong winds and waterlogging. It is good to combine the planting of bushes with a natural barrier in the form of other plants. Be sure to take into account the level of groundwater (no closer than 1,5 m). If you do not allow stagnant water, then the plant does not get sick. Therefore, bushes are not planted in the lowlands.

The culture does not impose special requirements on the soil. However, on loose and nutritious loam or sandy loam, the bush grows just fine. If the soil is in a site with an increased acidity index, then liming must be carried out in advance.

Bush planting

The height of an adult plant should be taken into account already when planting. Therefore, at least 1,5 m is left between the honeysuckle bushes. At the same time, the features of planting self-fertile crops are taken into account. Honeysuckle varieties “Blue Bird” are placed in groups around pollinating varieties. Landing in rows or in a checkerboard pattern will not give a result. For 4-5 honeysuckle seedlings, one pollinator bush is planted.

The size of the planting hole for the bush is a cube with sides of 45 cm.

The pit is prepared 3 weeks before the scheduled planting date. The excavated soil is mixed with compost or humus (2 buckets), wood ash (1,5 l) and again poured into the pit. You can replace the components with any complex fertilizer in the amount of 300 g. Depending on the composition of the soil, it is recommended to add sand or clay. A drainage layer is laid on the bottom, then the prepared mixture, the pit is covered with a film until the day of planting.

Soak the roots of seedlings in a solution of any growth stimulant and leave for 20 hours.

Then the roots are shortened, all damaged parts of the stems are cut off.

The soil in the pit is watered.

Place the seedling on a mound of earth and straighten the roots.

Fill the hole in small portions, gradually compacting the ground.

The root neck is raised above ground level by 4-5 cm.

Water the plant and mulch around the trunk.

Shoots on the bush are not pruned.

Care

When growing bushes of the “Blue Bird” variety, you do not need to spend a lot of time caring for plants. Important points are watering and top dressing. But you will also need regular loosening and weeding of the near-stem circles of the bush. The depth of loosening should not be more than 4 cm.

Watering

If adult honeysuckle plants were planted, then post-planting watering should be plentiful. One bush will need 10 liters of water. During the growing season, honeysuckle “Blue Bird” is watered 4-5 times. Watering requirements are standard – evening or morning, sufficient volume (2-3 buckets). The water is taken settled, the bushes are watered once every 4 days. In autumn, water-charging watering is necessary, while 3-4 buckets are consumed per plant.

Additional fertilizing

The first nutrition is brought in 3 years after planting the Blue Bird honeysuckle seedling. As soon as warm weather sets in in the spring, it is necessary to close up nitrogen fertilizers at the time of loosening the soil. Organics are added when digging the soil once every three years. Honeysuckle responds well to the introduction of humus. 14 days after flowering, you need to feed the bushes with a complex mineral fertilizer (according to the instructions). Another top dressing is needed before preparing for winter. At this point, phosphorus-potassium compounds are used. Feeding time – 14 days after harvest.

Trimming

Due to its great growth potential, Blue Bird honeysuckle needs pruning, which is done regularly. The first time a plant is formed for 4 years after planting a seedling. Basic principles of pruning honeysuckle:

• leave at least 18 branches to form a frame;
• thin out the bush regularly to prevent shading;
• observe the pruning time – early spring at a temperature of 0 ° C;
• leave a shoot length of at least 30-35 cm, not reaching the point of growth.

When the age of the honeysuckle bush reaches 15 years, anti-aging pruning is carried out. At this time, it is important to delete all old branches.

Protection against diseases and pests

Honeysuckle “Blue Bird” is not subject to a wide range of diseases. However, it is necessary to take measures against the spread of fungal infections. The plant can suffer from these diseases due to the proximity to other crops. Gardeners prefer to treat honeysuckle bushes with Bordeaux liquid immediately after picking berries to prevent problems.

Among the pests, one should be wary of the apple comma-shaped scale insect or the acacia false shield and various types of aphids. Processing by Aktara, Aktellik, Bankol will help.

Wintering

Special structures for sheltering honeysuckle bushes are not required. But in years with harsh and snowless winters, the roots are protected from frost with a layer of peat or humus 20 cm thick. You can add shelter with spruce branches.

Methods of reproduction

To preserve varietal characteristics, Blue Bird honeysuckle is propagated vegetatively. The most common:

1. cuttings. Gardeners use green, lignified and combined cuttings. Each type has its own nuances of the procedure. They do not differ from the classic version of propagation by cuttings.
2. layering. This option is used in June, when the layers dug into the ground are best rooted.
3. Seeds. Suitable for breeders only. For summer residents, this method is very laborious.

Some gardeners like the option of dividing the honeysuckle bush. It can be applied to plants aged at least 6 years and not older than 15 years.

Conclusion

By planting a honeysuckle bush “Blue Bird” on the site, you can solve several issues at once – decorate the site with an ornamental plant and get an early source of vitamins and nutrients.

Undemanding care puts honeysuckle in one of the first places when choosing a crop for planting.

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