Detailed Explanation of the Key Technical Points for Field Management of Honeysuckle

We are no strangers to honeysuckle, and it is often used in our daily lives, commonly for preventing colds, clearing heat and reducing internal heat, and so on. It is cultivated in all parts of China, with Hunan, Shandong, Guizhou and other places being the main producing areas of honeysuckle. The planting method of honeysuckle is also quite simple, so field management is relatively easy as well. Below, let us take a look at how its field management is carried out.

1. Earthing up

After honeysuckle has been planted and survived, it basically needs to be earthed up and weeded three to four times each year. For honeysuckle planted in the first year, the first earthing up and weeding should be carried out when the seedlings grow to about 20 cm, and later it is sufficient to earth up appropriately according to the growth condition of the honeysuckle. Starting from the second year, the first earthing up and weeding is done when new leaves emerge, the second is carried out before flowering, the third is after the first batch of flowers is harvested, and the last is before Frost's Descent.

2. Topdressing

In field management, topdressing is the most critical step, as it directly affects the yield and quality of honeysuckle. Within two years after planting, it is generally necessary to apply more manure, plant ash, and fertilizers such as urea and potassium fertilizer. After two years, fertilization needs to be carried out scientifically according to the different growth stages of honeysuckle. Generally, during the spring growth of branches and leaves, soil miscellaneous fertilizer and barnyard manure are mainly used, while pre-flowering fertilizer is mainly potassium fertilizer. After the first batch of flowers is harvested, a three-element compound fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium needs to be reasonably applied as topdressing. After the last batch of flowers is harvested, urea and manure/urine water need to be applied.

3. Pruning

Pruning honeysuckle requires a great deal of patience. The pruning time is generally after leaf fall in autumn, or before branches and leaves sprout in early spring. We should follow the principles of light pruning for vigorous branches, heavy pruning for weak branches, and pruning every branch. Its pruning method is different from that of other plants: each branch needs to have a portion cut off to some extent, which is beneficial for the sprouting of new branches and also helps ventilation and light penetration. Branches that are relatively thin and weak, or diseased and dead branches, need to be completely cut off without leaving any behind. At the same time, remember to maintain the plant shape and also make harvesting and management convenient.

4. Branch training

Branch training of honeysuckle mainly refers to its branch and leaf growth period. Because the branches of honeysuckle do not grow according to a fixed pattern, and their growth directions are also inconsistent, they look rather messy, which is inconvenient for harvesting, difficult to manage, and poor in permeability, making it easy to reduce yield. Therefore, during its growth period, we need to adjust the growth direction of the branches to maintain the plant shape and ventilation and light penetration.

5. Disease and pest prevention ⟧13⟧Honeysuckle is relatively attractive to insect pests, and if managed improperly, diseases can also be quite serious. The most common diseases are brown spot disease and powdery mildew. For brown spot disease, first cut off the diseased branches, then use Bordeaux mixture or a 500-fold dilution of zineb for control, spraying once every week, about two to three times in total. For powdery mildew, it is necessary to clean the garden in a timely manner, then spray with a 1000-fold solution of thiophanate. The main pests include aphids, inchworms, longhorn beetles, and so on, which can be killed by spraying trichlorfon.

Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is fairly attractive to pests, and if it is not managed properly, diseases can also be quite serious. The most common diseases are brown spot and powdery mildew. For brown spot, you first need to prune off the diseased branches, then use Bordeaux mixture or a 500-fold dilution of zineb for control, spraying once every week, about two to three times in total. For powdery mildew, you need to clean up the garden promptly, then spray with a 1000-fold dilution of thiophanate-methyl. The main pests include aphids, inchworms, and longhorn beetles, which can be killed by spraying trichlorfon.

Honeysuckle is a common medicinal material, and market demand is also relatively large. During cultivation, field management is also quite crucial. Due to the limited energy of the editor, today's sharing ends here. If you want to learn more information about honeysuckle, remember to leave a message for the editor.