What are the precautions for growing honeysuckle?

Honeysuckle is a common medicinal herb for clearing heat and detoxifying, and it can treat symptoms such as colds and fever. Honeysuckle has strong adaptability and can be grown in most regions. Growing honeysuckle is relatively simple, but there are also some details that need attention. The precautions for growing honeysuckle are as follows.

1. Variety selection

There are many varieties of honeysuckle, and some honeysuckle varieties have relatively low yields and are not suitable for growing. Moreover, although honeysuckle does not have high environmental requirements, the same variety can also differ in yield under different environments. When growing honeysuckle, choose high-yield and high-quality varieties to plant.

2. Planting time

There are two most suitable times to plant honeysuckle, namely February to June and September to December each year. Planting honeysuckle during these two periods gives the highest survival rate and better growth. It can also avoid the periods of high temperatures and frequent pests and diseases, ensuring the quality and yield of honeysuckle.

3. Planting methods

Honeysuckle mainly has two planting methods: seed planting and cutting planting.

1. Seed planting. For seed planting, sow in April. Soak the honeysuckle seeds in warm water at 35 to 40 degrees for 24 hours, then take them out and mix them with 2 to 3 times their amount of wet sand to promote germination. Sow when about 30% of the seeds have cracked open. Open furrows at a row spacing of about 22 cm and sow, cover with 1 cm of soil, spray water once every two days, and seedlings will emerge in more than 10 days. Transplant after autumn or in the spring of the second year.

2. Cutting planting. Cutting planting of honeysuckle is mainly carried out during the rainy season. In cloudy and rainy weather in summer and autumn, select vigorous, disease-free branches that are one to two years old, cut them into 30 to 35 cm lengths, and remove the lower leaves to use as cuttings. On the selected land, dig holes 16 to 18 cm deep at a row spacing of 1.6 m and a plant spacing of 1.5 m, and insert 5 to 6 branches into each hole. Leave about 7 to 10 cm exposed above ground, then fill with soil and compact it.

3. Light

Honeysuckle has a relatively high demand for light. In spring and autumn, there is no need to worry about light. In summer, when the sunlight is very strong, appropriate pruning and shading can be done. In winter, appropriate insulation is needed to prevent honeysuckle from freezing to death. It needs to maintain six to eight hours of light every day.

4. Watering and fertilizing

Honeysuckle is mainly fertilized in spring and autumn. Fertilizing should be arranged along with watering according to the production conditions of honeysuckle at different stages. It is best to water after fertilizing, as this can dilute the fertilizer concentration and avoid burning the seedlings. Watering also needs to be done according to temperature changes.

5. Temperature

The most suitable temperature for honeysuckle growth is 18 to 28 degrees, but temperatures in most regions of the country vary greatly, so temperature management is also needed. Generally, watering or building shade structures can be used to lower the temperature, and wrapping with plastic or building greenhouses can be used to keep warm.

6. Branch and leaf pruning

Pruning of honeysuckle is carried out from after leaf fall in autumn to before budding in spring. When pruning, note that vigorous branches should be pruned lightly, weak branches should be pruned heavily, and every branch should be pruned. When pruning, make sure that after new branches grow they are conducive to air circulation and light penetration. Thin and weak branches, dead branches, and old branches should all be cut off. Basically all side branches of honeysuckle should be removed so that it forms a trend of horizontal growth.

7. Pest and disease control

Brown spot disease is the most common disease of honeysuckle. If brown spot disease is found, the diseased branches need to be cut off, and a 500-fold dilution of 65% zineb or a 1000~1500-fold dilution of thiophanate is sprayed once every 7 days for two to three consecutive times. If aphids are found, use a 1000~1500-fold dilution of 40% dimethoate or a 1000 to 1500-fold dilution of mieyaling to spray and kill them, for multiple consecutive times until they are eliminated.

Honeysuckle is a very easy-to-grow medicinal herb and can survive in most environments. Moreover, honeysuckle has a wide range of uses, and many households keep honeysuckle for brewing tea.