Content
Planting and caring for honeysuckle in the Leningrad region is practically no different from the procedures carried out in other regions. However, there are small nuances, and they are related to the cool climate. Here, first of all, you need to wisely select varieties adapted to weather conditions.
Features of growing honeysuckle in the Leningrad region
The cool climate of the Leningrad region does not prevent gardeners from successfully growing shrubs that bear tasty and healthy berries. Most varieties of honeysuckle are cold-resistant, survive without problems and bear fruit abundantly in the northern zone. A feature of agricultural technology is the correct choice of a variety suitable for a cold area, proper planting of the berry and caring for it.
The berry garden in the Leningrad cold region is optimally planted on the south side of the building
In order for honeysuckle to grow well in the cold Leningrad region, it is better to plant it in an area with bright lighting, where the sun shines most of the day. In the worst case, partial shade is allowed. The berry plant does not like drafts, clayey or waterlogged soil. In such conditions, honeysuckle will take root, but the plant will be weak and will yield little yield.
The planting scheme for the Leningrad region is standard. In the rows between the seedlings, a gap of 1.5-2 m wide is left. Row spacing is made 2 to 3 m wide. Before planting, the area is cleared of weeds, dug up, and leveled. The holes are dug up to 50 cm deep and up to 60 cm wide. The size depends on the root system of the seedling. The root of the berry plant installed in the hole is covered with a soil mixture prepared from 50% soil and 50% humus. Water the honeysuckle with three buckets of water. When the earth settles, the tree trunk circle is mulched with dry compost. Further care follows the standard scheme. The bush is periodically watered, weeds are removed, the soil is loosened, and fed. In the fall they make preparations for wintering.
Honeysuckle will take root better if the seedling is carefully planted with a lump of earth, without disturbing the root system
A special feature of growing berry crops is that they are rarely affected by common diseases in the Leningrad region. This is due to the cool climate. The fact is confirmed by Doctor of Biological Sciences F. Teterev. But with pests the situation is more serious. Birds love honeysuckle. Birds eat not only berries, but also leaves.
Another feature of this crop is the fact that the chemical composition of berries grown in different regions is very different.For the Leningrad region, the sugar norm is 4.4-7.3%. Acid index 2-3.3%. Berries are rich in vitamin C. The figure reaches 87%. There are more of the listed substances than in honeysuckle fruits grown in Altai or even in the Primorsky Territory.
The yield indicator is also different. Honeysuckle actively bears fruit in the Far East. Despite the natural conditions for the crop here, in the cool Leningrad region the yield is 3-4 times higher.
The best varieties of honeysuckle for the Leningrad region
Not every variety of berry crop is capable of producing a good harvest if the climate is not suitable for the plant. This fact must be taken into account when purchasing seedlings. To help gardeners, we offer an overview of honeysuckle varieties for the Leningrad region with photos, optimally adapted to the conditions of the northern zone.
Dessert
The berry plant has a compact crown. Honeysuckle shoots out branches up to 1.8 m long, but they are lowered to the ground. The total height of the bush does not exceed 1 m. In the Leningrad region, ripe berries are expected in June. The fruits are cylindrical, elongated, weigh a maximum of 1 g. The skin is blue with a light coating. The pulp tastes sweet with a very noticeable sourness. The fruits do not ripen smoothly and are difficult to separate from the stalk. The yield of one bush reaches 2.5 kg.
Harvesting requires proximity to pollinators
Pavlovskaya
An excellent variety for the Leningrad region with a yield of up to 2 kg per plant. Harvest ripening time is average. Bushes usually form an unthickened crown. The maximum height is 1.4 m. Honeysuckle bears sweet and sour blue fruits, but this is the color of the bloom.The skin itself is dark blue and very elastic. The harvest can be transported.
The berries adhere firmly to the stalk and do not fall off spontaneously
Amphora
Honeysuckle bushes grow low. In terms of ripening time, the variety is considered medium. The fruits are shaped like small jugs. The sweet and sour taste of the pulp contains a little bitterness. Fruit weight – up to 1 g. The skin is thickened, durable, blue in color with a light coating. The yield in the Leningrad region from one bush reaches 2 kg. The fruits ripen smoothly, but they do not fall off spontaneously.
Honeysuckle in the cold climate of the region does not get sick, but damage from aphids or mites is often observed.
Tomsk
Honeysuckle of this variety in the cool Leningrad region grows in the form of a small bush. The leaves are green with a light tint. There is a slight edge on the surface of the leaf plates. The fruits with dark blue skin are shaped like a drop of water. The taste of the pulp is sweet and sour with an attractive aroma. There is no bitterness at all. Fruit weight is maximum 0.9 g. One bush brings up to 2.5 kg of harvest.
Fruits ripen quickly in the conditions of the Leningrad region
Violet
The mid-late honeysuckle variety is distinguished by a sparse crown of a neat round shape. The bushes grow to an average height - about 1.5 m. The branches are strong, covered with dark green foliage. The fruits grow weighing up to 1.1 g. The berries are elongated, some have a slight bend. The skin is light blue, thin, but durable. The taste of the pulp is sweet and sour.
The yield from one bush reaches 1.8 kg
Viola
A tall variety in the cool conditions of the Leningrad region grows a bush up to 2 m. The crown is distinguished by its strong density. It resembles an oval in shape. The color of the berries is dark blue with a characteristic light bloom.The fruits are elongated, the weight reaches 1 g. In terms of ripening, the variety is considered medium. The advantage is the high yield, reaching 4 kg of berries per bush.
A distinctive feature is the absence of edges on the surface of large foliage
Moraine
An excellent early variety for the Leningrad region. The bushes grow to medium height with an unthickened crown. The berries are large, weighing about 1 g. The skin is blue, but due to the light coating it is more blue. The shape of the fruit is elongated with visible irregularities. The pulp is aromatic. There is no bitterness in the taste, only sweetness and acidity. Productivity varies from 1.5 to 1.9 kg.
After ripening, the fruits do not fall off
Nymph
Vigorous honeysuckle grows up to 2.5 m in height. The color of the berries is blue. The fruits are large, oval-shaped, slightly elongated. Weight reaches 1.1 g. The pulp has a pleasantly sweet taste with a bright aroma. There is no bitterness. Harvest ripening begins in the last ten days of June. The yield is high - up to 2 kg per plant.
Honeysuckle does not shed ripe fruits
Commonwealth
The variety is considered to be of old origin. Tall shrub. The branches are spreading, strong, and hanging down. The total height of the bush is up to 2 m. A distinctive feature of honeysuckle is its large berries weighing up to 1.5 g. The pulp tastes sweet and sour. When eaten, bitterness is felt. The value of the fruit is in the thin skin. It is practically not felt during chewing. One bush in the conditions of the Leningrad region is capable of producing 2.5 kg of harvest.
According to the timing of ripening, honeysuckle is considered early
Leningrad giant
By the name of the variety you can already determine its zoning. Tall bushes grow a powerful crown of medium density. The height of adult honeysuckle reaches 2 m.The branches grow straight without bending. Large foliage has an elongated shape, with an edge on the surface. The skin is dark blue with a light coating, thin, but quite durable. There is no bitterness in the pulp, only acidity and sweetness are felt. Up to 5 kg of crops are harvested from one bush in the Leningrad region.
The weight of one berry reaches 4 g
The listed varieties of honeysuckle are suitable for the north-west of the Leningrad region and other areas with a similar climate. The crop is well adapted and produces a stable harvest with proper care.
Planting and caring for honeysuckle in the Leningrad region
The culture takes root well and requires simple care. Even a novice gardener can grow honeysuckle. When there are clear definitions of the variety, the seedling has been purchased, and planting begins.
Despite the cool climate of the Leningrad region, growing honeysuckle here is not difficult.
Landing dates
The optimal time for planting is considered to be from August to November. At this time, honeysuckle is at rest. Spring plantings are not recommended. Culture awakens early. In March, you can already observe swelling of the buds. If you do not have time to plant the bush before this time, it may begin to hurt. It will be difficult to adapt to new conditions.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
The choice of location is discussed a little in the specifics of cultivation. In addition, it can be noted that honeysuckle grows well on fertile sandy loam soil. Neutral acidity is optimal. The plant does not like stagnant water. If underground water layers lie above 1.5 m, honeysuckle may not take root here.
Rules for planting honeysuckle in the Leningrad region
Holes for planting berries are dug within three weeks. It is optimal to organize drainage at the bottom. The soil mixture for backfilling is made according to the above method: equal parts of earth and humus. However, experts recommend a different composition. Add 30 g of superphosphate and potassium salt to a bucket of humus and chernozem.
After planting, the seedling requires shortening the branches and abundant watering
A couple of hours before planting, honeysuckle roots are soaked in water with the addition of any growth stimulant. The seedling is placed in a hole with its root system on a tubercle formed from soil. After falling asleep, abundant watering and mulching of the tree trunk circle is required.
Watering and fertilizing
There will be no problems with watering honeysuckle. It is enough to do this five times per season. If it is a hot summer in the Leningrad region, then the amount of watering is increased. Warm water is poured directly under the root. Honeysuckle loves sprinkling the crown, but not during flowering. When watering at the root, a bucket of water is enough.
To obtain a good harvest, fertilizing is applied throughout the entire growing season.
The first feeding is carried out in the third year from the moment the seedling is planted. In spring, the bush is watered with a solution of 2 tbsp. l. urea per bucket of water or add 10 kg of rotted humus. With the appearance of buds and berries, the bush is watered with a bucket of water with 1 liter of water dissolved. The third time the berry garden is fed in the fall. The tree trunk circle is covered with a mixture of 5 kg of compost, 40 g of superphosphate with the addition of 100 g of wood ash.
Trimming
The first pruning is carried out immediately after planting the seedling. From the third year of life, the procedure is used carefully.Remove all root shoots, cut off excess branches that thicken the crown. Only five strong shoots are left. Sanitary pruning is carried out annually in the spring. Get rid of damaged, frozen and thin branches. But the main pruning is best done in the fall. In spring, honeysuckle awakens early, and this procedure traumatizes it. Anti-aging pruning is carried out every 7-10 years. To do this, old branches are gradually removed and young shoots are left to develop.
Watch the video for more details about pruning the berry bush:
Wintering
In the climatic conditions of the cool Leningrad region, the crop overwinters without shelter. In the fall, it is enough to rake the leaves out from under the bushes, apply fertilizer and prune. For reliability, the tree trunk circle can be covered with earth, forming a mound. The embankment will protect the root system during severe frosts.
Reproduction of honeysuckle in the Leningrad region
If your neighbors have honeysuckle growing on their property, it is not necessary to buy seedlings somewhere. There are many ways to propagate berry plants. It is enough to take cuttings and seeds from friends, ask them to make layering or separate a bush.
Propagation by seeds is considered a difficult and unpopular method.
To grow seedlings from seeds, prepare a soil mixture. Mix two parts humus, earth and one part sand. The soil mixture is poured into boxes, the seeds are planted to a depth of 1 cm. The crops are covered with film and germinated like ordinary seedlings.
The easiest way to propagate honeysuckle is by cuttings
Lignified cuttings for propagation are cut in autumn or early spring. Regardless of the time of collection, rooting is performed in the ground in the spring. The blanks are stuck into the ground at an angle so that one bud remains on the surface.Water regularly to maintain constant moisture.
Green cuttings are germinated in water or soil. In the second option, a greenhouse is installed above the plantings. Remove it after the branches take root. There is also the option of using combined cuttings, which have one or two green shoots on the side, and the lower part is woody, about 2 cm long. This propagation option is practiced in the summer.
Layering allows you to get strong seedlings
To obtain layering, honeysuckle branches are bent to the ground, covered with soil and constantly watered. When rooting occurs, the lash is separated from the mother bush. The seedling is transplanted to a new location in the fall.
Dividing a bush for a plant is painful
The division propagation method is based on digging up the entire five-year-old honeysuckle bush. Several shoots with full roots are separated from it and planted in permanent places of growth.
Diseases and pests
The most common disease in honeysuckle is spotting. You can recognize the disease by the spots on the leaves of red color with different shades. This is due to high humidity and strong thickening.
Spotting most often occurs in honeysuckle due to improper care.
Among other diseases, powdery mildew, sooty fungus, and tubercular disease are less common. Aphids, honeysuckle flies, and scale insects often appear on honeysuckle branches. In order not to be left without a harvest, it is recommended to carry out preventive spraying with drugs.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for honeysuckle in the Leningrad region is a simple procedure. A minimum of work is required from the gardener.For this, the culture will thank you with delicious berries that you can simply eat, make jam, compotes.
