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Honeysuckle Indigo is one of the types of a unique plant, which is called the natural “elixir of youth”. Although the berry is not very noticeable, and the size is small, but it has a lot of useful properties. The composition of honeysuckle fruits contains selenium – a rare element necessary for the human body. About 200 varieties of honeysuckle are known, but only a few of them are grown in the vastness of Our Country in the Far East and Eastern Siberia.
Description of honeysuckle Indigo
Gardeners note that the bulk of honeysuckle varieties have a sour taste or a slight bitterness. Canadian breeders at the University of Saskatoon have been working on breeding new varieties since 1999. Dr. Robert Bors developed an edible variety with a sweet taste – Indigo. It has not only a pleasant taste, but also high winter hardiness, resistance to pests and diseases, late ripening, decent yield.
Varieties of honeysuckle Indigo
The type of useful shrub has more than one option. Gardeners in Our Country are very familiar with such Indigo varieties as Jam and Yam. They have gained well-deserved popularity and demand due to their characteristics. To grow a similar variety of Indigo on the site is the dream of many lovers of the taste of honeysuckle. Photos and descriptions of the Indigo honeysuckle variety help you make the right choice for the site.
Honeysuckle Indigo Yam
A variety of edible honeysuckle with a slightly sour taste. The average height of the shrub is about 1,8 m, the shape is upright, up to 1,3 m in diameter. The fruits are strong, elongated, blue in color, almost do not crumble. Weight – 1,3 g. The strength of Indigo berries makes it possible to harvest in a mechanized way. According to reviews, edible honeysuckle Indigo Yam is highly resistant to diseases, it is considered the most productive variety. Withstands temperatures down to -45 ° C. Prefers sunny places, but also tolerates partial shade. The variety is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, loves loam or sandy loam with sufficient moisture capacity.
The leaves of the variety are oblong, Indigo Yam blooms with light yellow flowers. The beginning of fruiting for 3 years after planting, the crop is ready for harvest in mid-June. From one bush gives up to 2,5 kg of ripe berries. It is self-fertile, so it requires the planting of pollinators. The best pollinators for the Indigo Yam variety are recognized: Honey Blue, Sorceress, Aurora, Rapture.
The Ural and West Siberian regions have ideal conditions for growing Indigo Yam. A good addition to the description of the Indigo Yam honeysuckle variety will be a photo of the plant:
The Indigo Yam variety has a very attractive berry shape.
Honeysuckle Indigo Jam
Another Canadian variety of honeysuckle is Indigo.
The amazing characteristics of Jam berries attract gardeners from any region.
In the reviews, gardeners claim that the Indigo Jam honeysuckle variety is endowed with very successful characteristics. This allows you to grow it in summer cottages. The bush is very neat, although sprawling. The height of an adult plant is about 1,6 m, the diameter is 1,2 m. The growth force is large, the annual growth is numerous and powerful. The leaves are dense, pointed at the ends. Berry Indigo Jam smooth oval shape, black and purple, weighing 1,1-1,3 g. The pulp of the fruit is dense, the consistency resembles jelly.
The variety is suitable for harvesting mechanically due to the density of berries that do not crumble from the bush. The yield declared by the originator is from 4 kg to 5 kg of fruit from one bush. The first harvest can already be obtained 2-3 years after planting. The honeysuckle cultivar Indigo Jam also needs pollinators. The best are Honeybi, Tundra and Aurora.
Recommended for growing in the Ryazan region and the Moscow region. The most attractive characteristics of the Indigo Jam bush:
- excellent taste parameters;
- berries do not crumble;
- transportability is good;
- excellent frost resistance and drought resistance;
- early flowering;
- high stable yield;
- decorative bush;
- precociousness.
Some gardeners do not like the small size of the Jam fruit. Visually about the Canadian honeysuckle:
Planting and care of honeysuckle
After learning about the interesting varieties of Indigo honeysuckle, many are interested in how to plant and grow a useful shrub. Planting is a very important stage in the life of a plant. The further development and growth of any variety depends on the correct implementation of the process. If everything is properly organized, then the productivity of the bush is maintained for many years. The main points that should be paid attention to are the timing, place, preparation of planting material and soil. Then it is important to correctly execute the landing algorithm.
Terms of planting
Honeysuckle Indigo is planted in autumn and spring. When choosing the time, they are guided by the climatic features of the region, as well as their influence on the vegetation of plants. It should be borne in mind that the awakening of the bush buds begins in mid-March. It is important that at this time the soil is warm enough. Such conditions are possible only in the southern regions of Our Country. Therefore, it is preferable to plan spring planting in the south, and leave it in the rest of the regions at the beginning of autumn. The best time is the end of August or the beginning of September.
Properly chosen planting time will allow the plant to quickly gain strength.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
In order for the harvest of Indigo honeysuckle to match the indicators declared by the originator, you need to choose the ideal place for the plant. For culture, this is a very well-lit area. The second requirement is protection from the winds. It can be artificial or natural, such as other shrubs, trees. Based on the requirements of honeysuckle to the landing site, it is necessary to allocate a place on the southern or southeastern side of the site with good protection from wind and draft.
The quality of the soil for Indigo does not really matter.
It is noted that the yield of honeysuckle is much higher on fertile soil, loose and light. Groundwater must be at a depth of at least 1,5 m.
Site preparation should be done six months before planting seedlings. Cultivate the soil or dig it to a depth of 40 cm. Then disinfect it with a solution of copper sulfate (3%). Prepare a working solution from 10 liters of water and 300 g of the drug, consumption – 1 liter per 10 square meters. m. In a week, contribute to 1 square. m manure (20 kg), wood ash (400 g), sand (10 kg) and dig again to a depth of 20 cm.
3 weeks before the scheduled date, planting pits for Indigo honeysuckle should be prepared.
The pit needs to be prepared in advance so that the soil can settle.
In order for pollination to take place efficiently, the pits should be arranged in a circle, leaving a central place for the pollinator. The distance between the holes is 1,5 m, the diameter of the hole is 40 cm, the depth is 40 cm. Before planting, cover the holes with a film.
Rules of landing
Fertile soil must be added to the pit in advance or simply mix the soil with complex fertilizer (150 g per 1 hole). If an Indigo seedling is purchased in a container, then its survival rate is much higher, and the planting process is simpler:
- remove the plant from the container with a clod of earth;
- gently place in the hole;
- cover with earth, slightly compacting the soil;
- water abundantly.
For Indigo seedlings with an open root system:
- form a mound, install a plant, spread the roots;
- cover with soil, periodically shaking the seedling;
- compact the soil, water abundantly.
Leave the root neck at ground level. Mulch around the trunk with compost.
Watering and feeding
Watering is one of the main activities for caring for shrubs. Honeysuckle Indigo is enough 30 liters of water with a frequency of 1 time in 14 days per bush. When the seedlings are still small, the amount of water is reduced to 10 liters, but the frequency of watering is increased – 1 time per week. With insufficient watering, the berries become bitter. After watering, be sure to loosen the soil and mulch. As soon as the mulch layer settles and becomes less than 5 cm, it needs to be updated.
You can start feeding Indigo honeysuckle from 2 years after planting. In the spring, before the awakening of the kidneys, add 10 kg of manure under the bush, but only rotted. After flowering, add wood ash (500 g). In mid-September, fertilize with superphosphate (50 g) and potassium salt (30 g).
Trimming
Another important cultural event. It includes:
- Sanitary pruning. It involves the removal of dry, broken, damaged, thickening and creeping branches.
- Anti-aging. Such pruning is necessary for bushes after 10 years. The process consists in removing all non-fruiting shoots.
Wintering
Winter-hardy varieties do not require additional measures to prepare for winter. You can cover only young plants in regions with a harsh climate. For the rest, a layer of mulch about 15 cm is enough to protect the roots.
Reproduction
Reproduction of Indigo honeysuckle can be done in several ways:
- Green cuttings. Cut material from the shoots of the current year. Time – the period of the beginning of the formation of ovaries on the bushes. Choose the strongest growths, cut into 12 cm long pieces with 3 buds. Soak for a day in a solution of “Kornevin” (according to instructions). Plant in the ground, cover with bottles, periodically moisten and ventilate. Remove cover after one month.
Even an inexperienced gardener can propagate honeysuckle with green cuttings.
- Woody cuttings. Prepare material in late September or early October, always after the leaves have fallen. Cut the growth of the current year into parts with 2-3 internodes. Wrap in paper or burlap, dig to a depth of 10 cm, sprinkle with foliage. In the spring, plant at a slope of 45 °, leaving 1 internode above the ground.
Lignified cuttings require proper storage
- The division of the bush. Dig up the plant in the spring before the buds awaken or in the fall after the leaves are shed. A bush is suitable at the age of 3-5 years. Divide it into several parts, which are seated in separate holes.
- With any method, varietal characteristics are preserved.
Diseases and pests
The culture has good resistance to pests and diseases, especially with proper care. Indigo bushes need only preventive measures. In the spring before the buds swell and in the fall at the end of the growing season, spray the plants and soil with a solution of copper sulphate (1%). If the summer is humid, then periodically dust the foliage with wood ash. If infection with fungal diseases occurs, Fitosporin should be used.
Conclusion
Indigo honeysuckle is a unique plant with worthy characteristics. Proper agricultural technology will allow you to grow a luxurious bush with useful berries on your site.