Detailed Explanation of the Key Technical Points for Honeysuckle Cultivation and Management

Varieties The main cultivated varieties of honeysuckle are "Jizhua" (Chicken Claw) and "Damao" (Big Hairy). "Jizhua" produces many branches, has thick leaves, slightly smaller corollas, many flowers, an early flowering period, and a long bud stage, making it easy to pick by hand and giving high yields. "Damao" has plump flower buds, more branches that tend to tangle with each other, a later flowering period, and high yields.

Land preparation and base fertilizer application In early to mid-April, choose fertile sandy loam soil, apply 50 loads of compost per mu, and after plowing and leveling, sow in drills.

Propagation by cuttings It is divided into two direct cutting methods. Raising seedlings by cuttings is easier to manage, and this method is introduced here. In early August, on rainy days, cut 1- to 2-year-old healthy branches from superior varieties into 26 cm to 35 cm long sections, remove the lower part to make cuttings, insert them immediately after cutting, open furrows at a row spacing of 21 cm to 24 cm and a furrow depth of 15 cm to 18 cm, insert the cuttings diagonally into the furrows with 9 cm exposed above ground, firm the soil, water immediately, and build a shade frame over the seedbed. If there is drought without rain, water to keep the soil moist, and roots will form and the plants will survive in half a month. After new roots grow, remove the shade frame.

Field planting This can be done in both spring and autumn. In spring, it is done in early to mid-April, and in autumn, in early August, using field edges or mountain land for planting.

Field management

Loosening soil and weeding Keep the area around the flower clumps free of weeds. Every year after the weather warms up in spring (early to mid-April) and before the ground freezes in autumn (October to November), loosen the soil and mound it up to prevent the roots from being exposed above ground and suffering frost damage.

Topdressing In early spring or early winter, open a ring-shaped furrow around the flower clump, mix compost with chemical fertilizer and apply it in the furrow. The amount of fertilizer applied depends on the size of the flower clump. For a large flower clump, apply 5 kg of compost, 25 g of urea, and 150 g to 200 g of superphosphate.

Pruning Pruning honeysuckle into a short small shrub can increase flowering and yield. The method is to cut off the upper branches before spring growth begins, leaving only about 33 cm as the main trunk. After several years of pruning, the main trunk becomes thick and strong, and it can stand upright as a clump, making the flower clump umbrella-shaped and facilitating ventilation and light penetration. Every spring before young shoots emerge, properly prune away the overly dense parts of the flower clumps that grew thick and strong the previous year, so that they produce more new branches and more flowers. In summer, cut off the shoots and buds emerging near the roots, and also cut off overly dense small branches on the upper part, to promote vigorous growth of the main trunk and improve ventilation and light penetration.

Trellising After the plants are established, set up a support on one side of the plant, about 1.5 m high, and let the stems and vines twine around the support as they grow, which can promote more flowering and higher yields.

Pest and disease control

Aphids Spray and kill with a 1000-fold dilution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate or 70% aphid-killing powder.

Coffee tiger longhorn beetle Spray and kill with a 1500-fold dilution of 50% phosphamidon emulsifiable concentrate, spraying once every 7 to 10 days for 2 to 3 consecutive sprays.