Detailed Explanation of Key Cultivation Techniques for Hardstem Honeysuckle

Hardstem honeysuckle, also known as tree-form honeysuckle, is a new variety introduced to our province in the past two years, and is currently cultivated only in small quantities in Zhuanghe and Benxi. The traditional old variety of honeysuckle is vine-form, with scattered branches that trail along the ground, which affects ventilation and reduces yield. The new hardstem honeysuckle variety has a hard main trunk, obvious side branches, and a large number of flowering branches, with a yield 2-5 times higher than the original variety.

1. Cultivation Conditions

Honeysuckle has a well-developed root system, is a preferred variety for soil and water conservation, is also an ornamental flower, and is moreover an important medicinal herb. It has cold-resistant and heat-resistant characteristics, and can grow within the range of -25-40°C. It is drought-tolerant and waterlogging-tolerant, and can survive in various soils. It is recommended to cultivate it along ditch edges, by roadsides in front of houses, around village courtyards, and on abandoned land. It can survive for 20-30 years, and a single planting provides benefits for many years. When the soil layer reaches 0.5 m and farmyard manure is sufficient, very high yields can be obtained.

2. Cultivation Management

Honeysuckle is easy to plant and easy to keep alive, and can be cultivated from spring to autumn. Use a row spacing of 2 m and a plant spacing of 1 m, and small vegetables can be intercropped within 1-2 years. Dig a hole 0.5 m deep and 0.3 m in diameter, apply 5-10 kg of farmyard manure mixed evenly with soil as base fertilizer, and after planting water thoroughly to set the roots. After it survives, apply organic fertilizer twice each year in spring and autumn and mound soil to protect the roots. For fertilization, open a ditch 0.3 m deep 0.5 m from the roots and fill it with organic fertilizer.

3. Pruning

An important measure in honeysuckle management is pruning, which directly affects yield. Because honeysuckle branches grow quickly and branch abundantly, it must be pruned twice each year.

Spring pruning: Cultivate a relatively thick main trunk. When the main trunk reaches 0.5 m, cut off the top shoot to promote the formation of side branches. According to water and fertilizer conditions, 5-8 side branches can be retained on the main trunk, and excess side branches should be cut off. Each side branch grows 3-5 flowering branches. Under the premise of ensuring light penetration, decide which flowering branches to keep or remove.

Winter pruning: Cut off branches that flowered little in the current year, cut off branches that grew thin and small in the current year, cut off overly dense branches, cut off overly long branches, and fertilize after pruning.

4. Harvesting

The main medicinal product of honeysuckle is the flower bud (also called flower needle). The harvest period is about three months. Harvest every morning and immediately sun-dry or oven-dry to prevent mold and blackening. After sun-drying, put it into breathable bags and store in a ventilated place to prevent moisture. The yield of honeysuckle increases year by year, with a maximum yield of about 300 kg per mu, and a market price of 20-30 yuan per kg. The by-product of honeysuckle is the branches. The pruned branches can be sun-dried for later use and are raw materials for pharmaceutical factories and beverage factories.