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Edible honeysuckle is an unpretentious shrub with useful berries. It begins to bear fruit early, which is important in regions with a harsh climate. For Our Country, this is a relatively new crop, so the description of the honeysuckle variety Tomichka and the rules for caring for the plant will be useful to those who are going to grow it on their site.
Description of the honeysuckle variety Tomichka
The shrub was cultivated in the second half of the twentieth century. Back in 1909, Michurin I.V. recommended edible plant varieties for cultivation. However, honeysuckle Tomicka received an official certificate only in 1984, after which it quickly spread throughout the country. A shrub was bred from the seeds of the Turchaninova variety as a result of complex selection. Gidzyuk and Luchnik worked on the hybrid with a group of associates from the Tomsk region.
The variety of edible honeysuckle Tomichka turned out to be easily recognizable. Shrub of medium vigor, its branches are tightly pressed to each other, only the upper part of the crown bends in an arcuate manner to the ground. The leaves are small, deep green with a pointed tip. The surface of the leaf plate is covered with a soft fluff, barely perceptible when touched. Honeysuckle flowers Tomichka are small, lost against the background of foliage. Their petals are green. The bush blooms profusely.
The height of an adult plant reaches 1,5-1,8 m
The Tomichka variety is famous for its berry, which is not like other varieties. The upper part of the fruit is flattened, and begins to expand at the bottom. Outwardly, it resembles a jug or a drop. The fruits of Tomichka are large, their average weight reaches 1 g. The peel is thin, bumpy, during the ripening period it acquires a rich purple hue. On its surface one can see a wax coating, characteristic of all varieties of honeysuckle.
Advantages and disadvantages of honeysuckle Tomichka
Edible honeysuckle of the Tomichka variety of Siberian selection is suitable for cultivation in all regions of the country. It was appreciated by the inhabitants of the northern cities and the middle zone. In the conditions of an unstable climate, the shrub has distinguished itself by good winter hardiness, abundant and early fruiting, early fruiting and friendly return of the crop.
The fruiting of the variety begins early, already in early June, you can harvest the first crop. Berries ripen gradually in several stages. The average yield per bush is 2-2,5 kg. Under certain conditions and proper care, it reaches 3,5 kg. The first fruiting after planting begins after four years.
The main advantage of Tomichka honeysuckle is its high winter hardiness. Shrub shoots withstand temperatures as low as -50°C, and the roots painlessly endure -40°C. Flower buds, ovaries and buds do not fall off even at -8°C. However, the variety has other advantages:
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- lack of care;
- stable fruiting for 30 years;
- universal purpose of berries.
Few deficiencies were identified during cultivation. These include poor drought resistance, the need for pollinators. In addition, a ripe berry practically does not stick to the branches, it must be quickly collected before it crumbles.
Planting and caring for honeysuckle Tomichka
In order for the shrub to please with good fruiting for many years, you need to choose the right place for it. In addition, prepare the site and care accordingly.
Terms of planting
Honeysuckle finishes its growing season early, so you can plant it at the end of summer. In each region, the timing varies, it is optimal to start work from the end of August to the second half of November. You can plant Tomichka honeysuckle in the spring, but you need to do this before the start of the growing season. Experienced gardeners have noticed that the shrub in this case takes root worse than the autumn one.
Biennial seedlings are chosen, the height of which is not more than 40 cm. A healthy plant has two or three strong shoots, a well-developed root system.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Bushes should be planted in a well-lit place, but reliably protected from cold winds and drafts. Planting in a shaded area is allowed, but fruiting will be worse. It is better to take the southern or southwestern side under the honeysuckle. It is worth remembering that honeysuckle belongs to moisture-loving plants, but does not tolerate stagnant moisture at the roots, therefore, in the selected area, the groundwater level should not be higher than 1 m.
Seedlings develop well in any soil, they can be planted even in clay soil. However, for abundant and fast fruiting, a loose, light substrate with a neutral reaction is suitable. The earth should pass air and water well to the roots of the plant.
Before planting, the soil on the site is dug up, a nutrient mixture is prepared for the seedling. Garden soil is mixed with humus or compost, 100 g of potassium salt and double superphosphate, a handful of wood ash are added. This mixture is used to fill the roots during planting.
Rules for planting honeysuckle Tomichka
Planting a crop in loamy soil
It is not difficult to plant Tomichka honeysuckle, the main thing is not to forget about the root neck. It is not deepened by more than 4-5 cm, otherwise, with abundant watering or precipitation, rotting will begin.
A pit for planting is made 50 x 50 cm in size. If there are several seedlings, then a distance of up to 1,5 m is left between them. The shrub is placed vertically, the roots are well straightened, sprinkled with earth, the surface is tamped and mulched with a thick layer of humus.
Watering and feeding
The first few years, Kamchatka honeysuckle Tomichka needs only proper watering and loosening the soil. Feeding starts from the third year of cultivation. In early spring, organics and nitrogen fertilizers are applied, and in autumn they switch to potash. It is best to use wood ash 100 g for each bush.
It is necessary to water the shrub abundantly, so that the soil remains moist, but not very wet. In spring and summer, more fluid is required, especially if there is a drought. When there is enough rainfall, then additional watering of the soil is not necessary.
Trimming
Immediately after planting, Tomichka honeysuckle is not cut off, like all shrubs. This weakens the plant and slows down its growth. The first time a haircut is started at the end of the growing season. In the process of sanitary cleaning, dry, damaged or broken branches are cut out.
After the sixth year of cultivation, honeysuckle needs anti-aging pruning. All old shoots are cut out at the level of the soil, leaving stumps of 30-40 cm. After the procedure, up to 10 strong productive shoots and young shoots should remain on the shrub. This will keep the bush fruiting at a high level for many years.
Wintering
Adult plants tolerate frost and cold well, because honeysuckle is highly winter hardy. There is no need to additionally cover the roots and shoots. However, young seedlings, especially in the first year, need to be warmed. To do this, the root zone is mulched with a thick layer of humus, the shoots are additionally sprinkled with dry soil.
Reproduction
Honeysuckle Tomichka reproduces in many ways, but simple methods are most suitable for amateur gardeners:
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush;
- taps.
Cuttings of them are the most difficult way. Both green shoots and semi-woody shoots are rooted. For successful root formation, the plant is placed in a greenhouse, and the sections are pre-treated with growth hormones. With proper care, young seedlings can be obtained by the end of the season. However, the survival rate is very low; you should not count on a large number of rooted cuttings.
The division of the bush and the method of removal are the simplest methods of reproduction. It is better to do this at the end of the growing season, the shoots of the current year should be broken and pinned to the ground, after which it is good to cover with soil.
The division of the bush allows you to get a lot of seedlings in a short period of time
It is better to resort to division in early spring, while the shrub has not yet woken up and started to grow. There is no need to dig it completely, just select a few well-developed branches, dig them up and take them out along with the root. Honeysuckle immediately planted in a new place.
Honeysuckle pollinators Tomichka
According to the description, Tomichka honeysuckle is a self-fertile shrub, therefore, it is impossible to plant it alone on the site to obtain crops. In order for fruiting to begin, the following pollinating varieties should be located nearby:
- Kamchadalku;
The variety has an early fruiting period
- Cinderella;
Berry with strawberry flavor and slight sourness
- Blue spindle;
Honeysuckle with tender but bitter-tasting flesh
- In memory of Gidzyuk.
Shrub of medium ripening with a large elongated berry
However, these hybrids should be planted at a distance no further than 50 m from Tomichka. Thanks to cross-pollination, yields will be excellent.
Diseases and pests
Despite the fact that Tomichka honeysuckle is distinguished by good resistance to diseases and pests, the shrub is still amazing:
- aphid;
The pest infects young honeysuckle leaves
- shield;
Shchitovka primarily attacks the shoots and leaves of the shrub
- mite;
The tops of the bush, affected by the tick, are covered with a whitish coating.
- leaflet;
A cobweb appears on young shoots, the leaves are twisted into a tube
- sawfly.
The pest eats young leaves, after which they dry up and fall off.
To combat harmful insects, complex insecticides are used. Processing is carried out several times until the result is achieved.
Of the diseases for honeysuckle, fungal diseases are the most dangerous. For prevention, the bush is sprayed with preparations containing copper. Processing is carried out before the start of the growing season, until the leaves have blossomed.
Conclusion
The description of the honeysuckle variety Tomichka and the reviews of gardeners show that the shrub has many advantages. Its disadvantages are minor, they can be easily eliminated with proper care. Honeysuckle berries are tasty and healthy, easily transported. The culture is suitable for industrial cultivation.