Honeysuckle is a plant with both medicinal and edible properties, promising great prospects for cultivation. During its growth, it requires ample nutrients. Therefore, fertilization is crucial for cultivating honeysuckle. So, what are the correct fertilization methods for honeysuckle? Let's find out.
1. Base Fertilization:
In autumn or winter, deeply turn the tree plate into circular or strip grooves for base fertilization. The groove should be 20-30 cm deep and 30 cm wide. For each plant in a high-yield orchard, apply 30 to 40 kilograms of high-quality organic fertilizer, and for young trees, 5 to 10 kilograms per plant is suitable.
2. Topdressing:
(1) Bud Sprouting Period: Bud sprouting fertilizer is generally applied after the beginning of spring and before Qingming Festival. It is preferable to use well-rotted farmyard manure. When fertilizing, observe the size of the flower mound. If it is relatively large, more fertilizer should be applied, and if it is small, reduce the use of fertilizer.
(2) Budding Period: During the budding period, supplement with phosphate and potassium fertilizer, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate, mainly through spraying. Generally, dilute it to 800-1000 times, with an approximate usage of 50 grams per mu.
(3) After Harvesting Flowers: After harvesting flowers, fertilizer must be promptly applied to restore the growth of honeysuckle. For the first batch of flowers, each mu requires 15-21 kilograms of high-nitrogen, low-phosphorus, and medium-potassium compound fertilizer. Before fertilization, shallow trenches should be opened next to the plants for easy application of fertilizer, storing the fertilizer in the trenches. Fertilization should be carried out after each flower harvest, with a slightly reduced amount compared to the first batch of flowers.
(4) Wintering Period: In winter, reduce fertilization of plants. Only one application of phosphate and potassium fertilizer before winter is needed. It is not advisable to apply additional fertilizer during the wintering period of honeysuckle.
3. Precautions:
(1) Each time fertilizer is applied to honeysuckle, attention should be paid to the concentration of the fertilizer. High concentrations should not be used as they can scorch the roots, leading to wilting or even death of the plants.
(2) After fertilization, timely watering is necessary to facilitate better penetration and absorption of the fertilizer.
(3) When using chemical fertilizers, they should be combined with organic fertilizers to provide sufficient nutrients for honeysuckle seedlings.
(4) Summer and winter are dormancy periods for honeysuckle. Fertilization should be stopped during these times. For cuttings of honeysuckle, fertilization should also be avoided until they have rooted, after which they can be properly fertilized with diluted liquid fertilizer.
(5) Honeysuckle requires multiple fertilizations throughout the year, so the timing of fertilization must be well managed. Generally, fertilization should be done after the early spring sprouting and after each flower harvest.
In summary, when cultivating honeysuckle, it is essential to understand its fertilization needs and prioritize fertilization management to ensure stable and high yields. However, during fertilization, attention must be paid to the timing and methods to avoid root burning and fertilizer damage.
