Honeysuckle in a box. How to save before planting?
Since mid-winter, gardening stores in our country begin to receive planting materials from Europe. Spring in Europe begins earlier, so planting material can be planted in the garden. In our country, spring begins much later and the question “How to preserve seedlings before planting?” asked by many gardeners.
So, you have purchased honeysuckle seedlings, but is it too early to plant? Let's figure out how to preserve seedlings before planting. There are two ways:
First method
First, you need to inspect the seedlings by removing them from the packaging. Pay attention to the buds, if they have started to grow and are up to 2 cm in size, then such seedlings are fine and can continue to be stored. Carefully examine the root of the seedling; its condition determines whether the plant will take root or not. It must be free of damage, free of rot and mold. If the earthen lump is dry, then it is worth moistening it. Next, we immerse the root system of the seedling in a plastic bag or wrap it with film.
In one or the other case, be sure to make ventilation holes. After that, place the seedlings in a cool place with a temperature of +2 to +5 degrees. This temperature regime can be provided by a dry basement, a refrigerator or a glazed balcony.
Be sure to keep an eye on the contents of the package; to do this, it is enough to look at the packaging at least once every 10 days.
Second method
If the honeysuckle wakes up and produces new buds of more than 2 cm, then nothing can hold it back and you will have to urgently plant it, for now, in a pot. First, carefully unfold and inspect the root system. Check for the presence of white roots. If the roots have not yet sprouted, then soak the root in any root stimulator for half a day. Afterwards, we plant the plant in a pot, thoroughly straightening the roots and filling all the voids with new substrate, compacting it around the perimeter of the pot. Then the ground should be watered with a stimulant solution.
Important! If possible, try to preserve the young roots as much as possible and not destroy the earthen lump.Water moderately at first. The pot should be placed in a bright and cool place from +5 to +12 degrees. If the temperature is higher, the plant will grow very quickly. Naturally, we shade the plant from direct sunlight. Around mid-May, we transplant the plant to a permanent location. Again we try not to damage the earthen ball. At first, we shelter the plant from the scorching sun. When the plant takes root and gives new growth, it will be possible to feed.
Honeysuckle variety Maria
The Maria variety is quite young. Medium-sized bush 1.5 — 2 meters. The berry is early-fruiting, 1-1.5 cm in size, almost does not fall off. The fruits are large with thin skin, which ripen immediately with the onset of summer. It is distinguished by the plant's high frost resistance down to -40 degrees and resistance to disease. The berry has delicate pulp and is therefore non-transportable. The berry tastes sweet with a slight sourness. Productivity from one bush is up to 1.5 kg.
Honeysuckle variety Omega
Honeysuckle bush with a dense rounded crown, 1.5 meters high. The leaves of the plant are large, dark green. The berry is large, aromatic, with a sweet and sour taste. It can be eaten fresh without pre-treatment. This variety of honeysuckle is considered one of the sweetest. The color is violet-blue with a waxy coating. Omega honeysuckle is rich in vitamin C and other beneficial substances. The leaves of the bush are also useful. Herbal decoctions and medicinal tinctures are prepared from them. The average yield per bush is about 2 kg. There is no crumbling. The plant is winter-hardy and is not damaged by diseases.
Calorie content. Edible honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is one of the lowest-calorie foods. The calorie content of honeysuckle is 30-40 kcal/100 g of berries. Calorie content varies depending on the variety and region of growth. The berries have a full range of beneficial vitamins B, C, PP and Beta-carotene. Berries are rich in microelements, such as: iron, iodine, magnesium, copper, silicon, aluminum.
Nutritional value of 100 grams of honeysuckle:
- carbohydrates — 8 g;
- fat - 0 g;
- proteins - 0 g;
Chemical composition of honeysuckle in 100 g:
- calcium – 19 mg;
- magnesium – 21 mg;
- sodium – 35 mg;
- potassium – 70 mg;
- phosphorus – 35 mg;
- pectin substances - 0.4-1.6%.
Also, honeysuckle contains acids: oxalic, malic, citric. And, in terms of the amount of ascorbic acid, honeysuckle is not inferior to kiwi and lemon.
Despite all the benefits of honeysuckle, due to the lack of fats and proteins in it, it cannot be considered a complete food product. The low calorie content of honeysuckle berries makes this product a dietary product, but you should not consume it excessively.
Important! Eating large amounts of berries can cause the leaching of beneficial microelements from your body. May lead to skin allergies and stomach upsets, as well as worsening blood counts.Edible honeysuckle. Pollination
As you know, honeysuckle flowers are self-sterile, so they require cross-pollination. Pollination is carried out by bees and bumblebees. To attract insects, during the flowering period it is worth spraying the bushes with a solution of sugar or honey: 1 tbsp. for 5 l. water. Productivity depends on the number of varieties on the site. Recommended: 2-3 honeysuckle bushes or more. As a rule, the more varieties, the higher the yield.
Advice! To attract insects, plant honeysuckle not in a row, but in a group.Varieties table
To choose honeysuckle varieties for your garden, you need to study the characteristics of the variety, where its pollinator will be indicated.
The best varieties and their pollinators, suitable for central Russia:
Leningrad giant Gzhelka, Blue spindle, Morena, Malvina, Start
| Variety | Varieties — pollinators |
|---|---|
| Morena | Viola, Blue Spindle, Amphora |
| Nymph | Omega, Pushkinskaya, Amphora, Chosen One |
| Blue spindle | Blue Bird, Kamchadalka |
| Blue Bird | Morena, Blue Spindle, Chosen One, Cinderella |
| Berel | Tomichka, Kamchadalka, Blue Spindle |
| Tomsk | Blue spindle, Kamchadalka |
| Kamchadalka | Parabelskaya, Blue Spindle, Nymph, Cinderella |
| Cinderella | Azure, Gerda, Amphora, Tomichka, Kamchadalka |
| Roxana | Kamchadalka, Tomichka, Parabelskaya |
| Altair | Blue spindle, Malvina, Morena |
| Bakchar giant | Amphora, Bakchar's Pride, Nymph, Azure |
| Long-fruited | Chelyabinka, Izyuminka, Morena, Sineglazka |
Choose those varieties that cross-pollinate with each other, this will allow you to get maximum yield.
If you do not know the pollinating varieties, select companion varieties based on early-mid — late. This way you have a better chance of getting a good harvest.