A Detailed Guide to Harvesting and Sun-Drying Honeysuckle
How do you harvest and sun-dry honeysuckle? Here is an introduction. Harvesting and sun-drying honeysuckle can follow the methods below: 1. Harvesting: The harvesting period for honeysuckle is generally in late May, the second flush in mid-July, the third flush around mid-August, and the fourth flush in mid-October. The full bloom of the first flush is relatively concentrated, about 5-7 days, while the second...
How do you harvest and sun-dry honeysuckle? Here is an introduction
Harvesting and sun-drying honeysuckle can follow the methods below:
1. Harvesting: The harvesting period for honeysuckle is generally in late May, the second flush in mid-July, the third flush around mid-August, and the fourth flush in mid-October. The full bloom of the first flush is relatively concentrated, about 5-7 days, while the second, third and fourth flushes take about 7-10 days. Honeysuckle should be harvested when the upper part of the flower bud swells and turns white, what flower growers commonly call the "large white bud stage". Harvesting should be concentrated at 9 a.m. each day, so that the flowers can be sun-dried to 70-80% dry the same day.
2. Sun-drying: Processing and sun-drying is the final step in ensuring the quality of honeysuckle. During drying, if the buds have not reached 80% dryness, they must absolutely not be turned, otherwise the flower buds will turn black and their quality will drop noticeably. The traditional sun-drying method for honeysuckle is to choose a spot sheltered from the wind and facing the sun with long hours of sunlight, spread the harvested flower buds in a thin layer, with a thickness of 2 cm being suitable, and either collect them the same day they are dried or the next day.
Basket drying method: This is a drying method used relatively often in flower-growing areas. Make a frame 5 chi long, 2 chi wide and 1.5-2 cun high from wooden strips, with a drying basket made of sorghum stalks in the middle; each basket holds 5-7 jin of fresh flowers, and after drying to 80% dryness they can be poured onto a mat for further drying.
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