Content
Indigo honeysuckle is one of the species of a unique plant that is called the natural “elixir of youth.” Although the berry is not very noticeable, and is small in size, it has a lot of useful properties. Honeysuckle fruits contain selenium, a rare element necessary for the human body. About 200 varieties of honeysuckle are known, but only a few of them are grown in the vastness of Russia in the Far East and Eastern Siberia.
Description of Indigo honeysuckle
Gardeners note that the majority of honeysuckle varieties have a sour taste or slight bitterness. Canadian breeders at the University of Saskatoon have been working on developing new varieties since 1999. Dr. Robert Bors developed an edible species with a sweet taste - Indigo. It has not only a pleasant taste, but also high winter hardiness, resistance to pests and diseases, late ripening, and decent yield.
Honeysuckle varieties Indigo
The type of useful shrub has more than one option.Russian gardeners are very familiar with such Indigo varieties as Jam and Yam. They have gained well-deserved popularity and demand due to their characteristics. Growing a similar variety of Indigo on a plot is the dream of many lovers of the taste of honeysuckle. Photos and descriptions of the Indigo honeysuckle variety help you make the right choice for the site.
Honeysuckle Indigo Yam
An edible honeysuckle variety with a slightly sour taste. The average height of the bush is about 1.8 m, the shape is erect, up to 1.3 m in diameter. The fruits are strong, elongated, blue, and almost do not fall off. Weight – 1.3 g. The strength of Indigo berries makes it possible to harvest the crop using a mechanized method. According to reviews, edible honeysuckle Indigo Yam is highly resistant to disease and is considered the most productive variety. Withstands temperatures down to -45 ° C. Prefers sunny places, but also tolerates partial shade. The variety is unpretentious in terms of soil composition; it loves loam or sandy loam with sufficient moisture capacity.
The leaves of the variety are oblong; Indigo Yam blooms with light yellow flowers. Fruiting begins 3 years after planting, the harvest is ready for harvest in mid-June. One bush produces up to 2.5 kg of ripe berries. It is self-sterile and therefore requires planting of pollinators. The best pollinators for the Indigo Yam variety are: Honey Blue, Sorceress, Aurora, Delight.
The Ural and Western Siberian regions have ideal conditions for growing Indigo Yam. A good addition to the description of the honeysuckle variety Indigo Yam is a photo of the plant:
The Indigo Yam variety has a very attractive berry shape
Honeysuckle Indigo Jam
Another Canadian honeysuckle variety is Indigo.
The amazing characteristics of Jam berries attract gardeners from any region
In reviews, gardeners claim that the honeysuckle variety Indigo Jam is endowed with very successful characteristics. This allows you to grow it in summer cottages. The bush is very neat, although spreading. The height of an adult plant is about 1.6 m, the diameter is 1.2 m. The growth force is great, the annual growth is numerous and powerful. The leaves are dense, pointed at the ends. Indigo Jam berry has an even oval shape, black-violet color, weighing 1.1-1.3 g. The pulp of the fruit is dense, the consistency resembles jelly.
The variety is suitable for mechanical harvesting due to the density of the berries, which do not fall off the bush. The yield declared by the originator ranges from 4 kg to 5 kg of fruits per bush. The first harvest can already be obtained 2-3 years after planting. The honeysuckle variety Indigo Jam also needs pollinators. Honeybi, Tundra and Aurora are considered the best.
Recommended for cultivation in the Ryazan region and Moscow region. The most attractive characteristics of the Indigo Jam bush:
- excellent taste parameters;
- the berries do not fall off;
- transportability is good;
- excellent frost and drought resistance;
- early flowering;
- high stable yield;
- decorativeness of the bush;
- precociousness.
Some gardeners do not like the small size of the Jam variety fruits. Visual information about Canadian honeysuckle:
Planting and caring for honeysuckle
Having learned about interesting varieties of Indigo honeysuckle, many are interested in how to plant and grow a useful shrub. Planting is a very important stage in the life of a plant. The further development and growth of any variety depends on the correct execution of the process. If everything is organized correctly, the productivity of the bush will remain for many years.The main points that should be paid attention to are timing, location, preparation of planting material and soil. Then it is important to correctly perform the landing algorithm.
Landing dates
Indigo honeysuckle is planted in autumn and spring. When choosing the time, they are guided by the climatic features of the region, as well as their influence on the growing season of plants. It should be borne in mind that the awakening of the bush buds begins in mid-March. It is important that the soil is sufficiently warmed up at this time. Such conditions are possible only in the southern regions of Russia. Therefore, it is preferable to plan spring planting in the south, and leave it in other regions at the beginning of autumn. The best time is the end of August or the beginning of September.
Properly chosen planting time will allow the plant to quickly gain strength.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
In order for the Indigo honeysuckle harvest to meet the indicators declared by the originator, you need to choose the ideal place for the plant. For culture, this is a very well-lit area. The second requirement is protection from the winds. It can be artificial or natural, for example, other shrubs, trees. Based on the requirements of honeysuckle for the planting site, it is necessary to allocate a place on the south or south-east side of the site with good protection from wind and drafts.
The quality of the soil is not particularly important for Indigo.
It has been noted that the yield of honeysuckle is much higher on fertile soil, loose and light. Groundwater must be at a depth of at least 1.5 m.
Site preparation should be done six months before planting the seedlings. Cultivate the soil or dig it to a depth of 40 cm. Then disinfect it with a solution of copper sulfate (3%).Prepare a working solution from 10 liters of water and 300 g of the drug, consumption - 1 liter per 10 square meters. m. After a week, add 1 sq. m manure (20 kg), wood ash (400 g), sand (10 kg) and dig again to a depth of 20 cm.
3 weeks before the scheduled date, planting holes for Indigo honeysuckle should be prepared.
The hole must be prepared in advance so that the soil can settle
In order for pollination to occur efficiently, the pits should be arranged in a circle, leaving a central place for the pollinator. The distance between the holes is 1.5 m, the diameter of the hole is 40 cm, the depth is 40 cm. Before planting, cover the holes with film.
Landing rules
You need to add fertile soil to the hole in advance or simply mix the soil with complex fertilizer (150 g per 1 hole). If an Indigo seedling is purchased in a container, then its survival rate is much higher, and the planting process is simpler:
- remove the plant from the container with a lump of earth;
- carefully place in the hole;
- cover with soil, slightly compacting the soil;
- water generously.
For Indigo seedlings with an open root system:
- form a mound, install the plant, straighten the roots;
- cover with soil, shaking the seedling periodically;
- Compact the soil and water thoroughly.
Leave the root collar at ground level. Mulch the surrounding area with compost.
Watering and fertilizing
Watering is one of the main measures for caring for shrubs. Indigo honeysuckle needs 30 liters of water once every 14 days per bush. When the seedlings are still small, the amount of water is reduced to 10 liters, but the frequency of watering is increased - once a week. With insufficient watering, the berries become bitter. After watering, be sure to loosen the soil and mulch.As soon as the mulch layer settles and becomes less than 5 cm, it needs to be updated.
You can start feeding Indigo honeysuckle 2 years after planting. In the spring, before the buds awaken, apply 10 kg of manure under the bush, but only rotted manure. After flowering, add wood ash (500 g). In mid-September, fertilize with superphosphate (50 g) and potassium salt (30 g).
Trimming
Another important event for culture. It includes:
- Sanitary pruning. It involves the removal of dry, broken, damaged, thickening and creeping branches.
- Rejuvenating. Such pruning is necessary for bushes after 10 years. The process involves removing all non-fruiting shoots.
Wintering
Winter-hardy varieties do not require additional measures to prepare for winter. Only young plants in regions with harsh climates can be covered. For others, a layer of mulch of about 15 cm is enough to protect the roots.
Reproduction
Indigo honeysuckle can be propagated in several ways:
- Green cuttings. Cut material from the current year's shoots. Time is the period when ovaries begin to form on bushes. Select the strongest growths, cut into 12 cm long pieces with 3 buds. Soak for a day in the Kornevin solution (according to the instructions). Plant in the ground, cover with bottles, periodically moisten and ventilate. Remove the cover after a month.
Even an inexperienced gardener can propagate honeysuckle with green cuttings.
- Lignified cuttings. Prepare the material at the end of September or beginning of October, always after the leaves have fallen. Cut the current year's growths into pieces with 2-3 internodes.Wrap in paper or burlap, dig to a depth of 10 cm, sprinkle with leaves. In spring, plant at an angle of 45°, leaving 1 internode above the ground.
Lignified cuttings require proper storage
- Dividing the bush. Dig up the plant in the spring before the buds awaken or in the fall after dropping the leaves. A bush is suitable at the age of 3-5 years. Divide it into several parts, which are planted in separate holes.
- With any method, varietal characteristics are preserved.
Diseases and pests
The culture is characterized by good resistance to pests and diseases, especially with proper care. Indigo bushes only need preventative measures. In the spring before the buds swell and in the fall at the end of the growing season, spray the plant and soil with a solution of copper sulfate (1%). If the summer is humid, then periodically dust the foliage with wood ash. If infection with fungal diseases occurs, Fitosporin should be used.
Conclusion
Indigo honeysuckle is a unique plant with decent characteristics. Proper agricultural technology will allow you to grow a luxurious bush with healthy berries on your plot.
