Detailed Explanation of Key Field Management Techniques for Honeysuckle

I. Cultivation and Weeding. Generally 3 to 4 times per year. The 1st time is in spring when buds sprout and new leaves emerge; the 2nd time in June; the 3rd time in July to August; the 4th time in late autumn and early winter. When cultivating, keep it shallow around the plant's root zone and slightly deeper farther away to avoid damaging the roots. After the 4th cultivation and weeding, soil should also be mounded around the plant's root zone to help it overwinter.

II. Topdressing. After buds sprout in early spring each year and after each harvest of flower buds, topdressing should be carried out once. In spring, summer and autumn, apply decomposed human and livestock manure water or nitrogen fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate and urea in a shallow furrow beside the roots, then cover with soil to bury the fertilizer. In winter, apply 5 to 1 kg of farmyard manure, 100 g of ammonium sulfate and 200 g of superphosphate per plant in a shallow ring-shaped furrow beside the roots, then cover the fertilizer with soil and mound soil around the plant. If there is no rain after fertilizing, water the plants.

III. Shaping and Pruning.

1. The purpose of pruning 1- to 2-year-old plants is to cultivate an upright, thick main trunk. When the main trunk height is 30 to 40 cm, cut off the top shoot to promote lateral buds to sprout into branches.

2. For plants more than 3 years old, after buds sprout in spring, select and retain 4 to 5 thick branches on the upper part of the main trunk as main branches, growing in two layers.

From the first-level branches growing on the main branches, retain 5 to 6 pairs of buds and cut off the upper part; then from the second-level branches growing on the first-level branches, retain 6 to 7 pairs of buds and cut off the upper part; then from the third-level branches growing on the second-level branches, pinch off the hook-shaped tender shoots. Generally, after spring begins, young branches that sprout from the second-level branches or the original old flowering branches and have dense, short nodes and fine leaves are all flowering branches and should be retained. After Frost's Descent and before the soil freezes, winter pruning should be carried out. During winter pruning, cut off dead and old branches, diseased and pest-infested branches, thin and weak branches, and long branches that cross and disrupt the tree shape. After each harvest of flower buds, summer pruning should likewise be carried out, and summer pruning should be done in moderation. After each pruning, topdressing should be applied once.

IV. Drainage and Irrigation. During the flowering period, or in drought weather and when there is too much rain, flower drop and flower rotting and other phenomena can occur, so irrigation or drainage work should be done promptly.

V. Pests and Diseases and Their Control.

1. The main disease is powdery mildew, which damages leaves and tender stems. In the early stage of leaf disease, round white downy mildew spots appear, then continuously expand and join into patches, forming white powdery spots of varying sizes, and finally causing flower drop, leaf withering, and branch drying. The control methods are mainly the following two aspects: First, rational close planting, shaping and pruning, and improving ventilation and light conditions can enhance disease resistance. Second, spray 25% Fenxiuning 1500 times dilution or 50% Topsin 1000 times dilution once every 7 days for 3 to 4 consecutive sprays. 2. For insect pests, omethoate can be used to control aphids, and phoxim can be used to control coffee tiger longhorn beetles.