Honeysuckle Capricole: description, varieties, reproduction and cultivation

The owners of private plots and cottages have an indisputable advantage over the owners of city apartments, which consists in the possibility of arranging and decorating their site to their own taste. For these purposes, there are many ornamental and fruit crops, but a special place in this list is occupied by curly honeysuckle kapifol.

This type is in a special honor among ornamental shrubs, because the vine grows quite quickly, due to which it can entwine and decorate a fence, create a hedge or act as another decorative element in a garden plot for only one season. For the cultivation of culture the main importance is given to the creation of guides and device supports for the growth of fragrant vines. And those and other work can be easily done with your own hands.

By creating the right conditions for the development of a plant, it can grow over five meters in length, while its wicker will be literally covered with fragrant, beautiful flowers. Caprifol is not the fruit of the work of breeders, as it is a botanical plant species that grows in the wild nature of certain regions. However, breeders took part in the widespread distribution of this variety of honeysuckle, which by crossing different plant species obtained a huge number of zoned cultures. Due to this, hybrids can now be planted not only in the mild climate of the southern regions, but also under the condition of proper agricultural technology to cultivate in the northern regions of Russia, in the Moscow region, Scandinavian countries or North America.

Even the name of the culture is rather unusual, because in translation it means "goat leaf". Kaprifol performs an exclusively decorative task, its fruits cannot be eaten, therefore the vine is grown only for the decoration of the territory, which, however, does not diminish its demand. On average, the length of vines varies in the range of 4–6 meters. But this concerns already adult shrubs, because in one season it stretches by about 1–1.5 meters.

Only formed shoots of honeysuckle have a fairly light color, but under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and warm air change it. In the course of growth, they become stiff, bark formation occurs. Over time, the bark can flake off, which is a natural process for the vine, and does not indicate the presence of any ailments. The lifespan of a single plant is about 50 years. As practice shows, the flowering and fruiting capricole already in the fourth year of the life cycle. The active phase of growth of creepers falls on the beginning of April and ends closer to autumn.

The flowering phase occurs at the end of spring or the beginning of summer. During this period, flowers form in large numbers on the bushes. They can be yellow, pink, white or combined in color. Some gardeners find the resemblance of the flowers of honeysuckle flowers with orchids. Usually the length of one flower is about 5 centimeters. Flowers are planted very close to the green mass of the bush, and stamens stand out significantly from them.

No less attractive are the fruits of honeysuckle, which are formed after the flowering phase. Usually they are orange berries, gathered together in several pieces. Honeysuckle flowers have the properties of a honey plant, so that the vine is a very useful neighbor for the apiary when it blooms. It is worth highlighting the following varieties of honeysuckle:

• few-flowered vine does not stand out a large number of flowers, which usually they have a pink or red color;
• white honeysuckle has flowers of the same color.

In addition to the main species, gardeners are actively engaged in the cultivation of honeysuckle hybrids Kaprifol.Some of them are less resistant to weather conditions, and therefore need special care when disembarking in the central and northern regions. Among those with a range of products can be distinguished variety "Inga", which blooms with fragrant pink or beige flowers. As a result of crossing the honeysuckle and Etruscan honeysuckle, Lonicera americanum was obtained, which develops well in the southern climate and blooms with rich red buds. Honeysuckle "Hecrotta" also owes its origin to honeysuckle.

In the wild, capricolea is common in the Caucasus and southern Europe. As for cultivation in gardens and in other areas, it is worth noting that this variety can grow in cool climates, but is completely unsuitable for cultivation in Siberia, given the sharply continental climate of these latitudes. Unfortunately, in the harsh winter the vine will not be able to maintain its vitality.

Before you buy honeysuckle seedlings, you need to choose the right place for planting ornamental shrubs. To accurately determine the place, you should consider the following nuances:

• the selected area of ​​the garden should be supported, for example, a fence, a pole or a wall of a building;
• As practice shows, the honeysuckle reacts quite sharply to transplantation, therefore the place for a bush should be permanent;
• Before disembarking, it is necessary to conduct a number of mandatory preparatory measures concerning the quality of the soil, the illumination of the selected area and others.

The optimal soil for the plant will be slightly alkaline soil with a good level of humus. The development of liana in dry and heavy soil is worsening. As for the light level, the plant belongs to the species that bloom better in sunny areas, therefore, when planning and placing a culture, it is necessary to give preference to the southern side of the territory. In the shaded area, the capricole does not bloom. In addition, the plant must be protected from cold winds and drafts.

The important point is the level of groundwater in the area. It is necessary to abandon the planting of honeysuckle in the ground with a superficial bedding of water, since their close location will provoke a rotting of the root system of the shrub. The recommended landing period is spring. By winter, shrubs, as a rule, do not root, because the young and fragile vine from frost is likely to die, and after planting it in spring, we can expect new shoots in the first summer months. Despite the exotic nature of fragrant creepers, caring for it does not differ from similar activities relating to other ornamental shrubs.

To root honeysuckle will need to make a hole, the size of which should be 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 meters. The released soil is mixed with organic fertilizers, for example, manure or peat. At the bottom of the pit should be located drainage. For these purposes, suitable brick crumb or gravel.

The landing technology involves the following sequential steps:

• if the honeysuckle seedling is planted, its roots are cut, the plant itself is located in a recess in an upright position;
• the root system is leveled so that it does not have wrinkles of the roots;
• the plant is moistened, after which it is filled with earth;
• after using all the soil, it is necessary to carry out another watering so that the earth subsides;
• the final stage is the mulching of the culture with any organic material.

The easiest breeding option is to use planting material in the form of seeds. They are calibrated, and then germinated. Formed shoots rooted in the ground.There is another option for seed preparation - in February, the material is mixed with sand and sent for two months in the refrigerator. After their germination, the seeds are planted in the ground.

Not less popular method of cultivation of honeysuckle is grafting or breeding branches. As a rule, cuttings are upgraded to a plot in spring or summer. They are planted in loose soil, leaving only one kidney above the ground. In the summer months, cuttings are planted in a greenhouse, around July. For this purpose, material is selected, on which several internodes have already formed. The culture is covered with glass, and after the appearance of sheets - clean. Honeysuckle needs to be moistened daily, the soil around it is mulched for wintering, and with the arrival of spring, the capricoleum is planted in open ground.

A very easy way, which is recommended to use gardeners with minimal experience, is considered a method of tap. They are chosen in spring or autumn. The shoot is pruned and buried in the ground. After the appearance of the roots of the shrub is separated from the parent. After that, he landed in his place.

Caprifol can not only be grafted, but also propagated by dividing the bush. This option is effective in the case when the plant has become old and very much sounded. The positive point of this method is the possibility of planting the crop immediately into the ground. The shrub propagates by cutting off a shoot that has a root system. After its separation from the maternal culture, it will be necessary to trim a new vine approximately one third.

Caring for liana includes a number of mandatory work.

A specific feature of the plant is the ability to grow and develop only with the presence of objects that can be caught. Such supports can be specially created lattices, pillars, tapestries, or the walls of various structures, including residential houses or terraces, gazebos, verandas. There are several nuances concerning the type of supports. First of all, the texture should be rough, which will contribute to better adhesion with the plant.

Initial dressing of honeysuckle after landing on the ground must be done after 21 days. For these purposes, the mineral balanced complex, including potassium and nitrogen, will be optimal. Adult crops should not be fertilized more than once per season. It is more correct to feed in before starting the flowering of the vines, since nitrogen will have a positive effect on the growth of the green mass of the plant.

Without regular and proper care, honeysuckle is unlikely to become a full-fledged decoration of the backyard territory. That is why the plant needs high-quality and timely pruning, due to the fact that the shrub grows quite quickly. The first pruning is necessary for the plant after planting in order to set the direction of the shoots based on the planting of the shrub. Further, culture is refined every spring, in the course of work, the weaker parts of the shrub are removed at the root, and the green and powerful shoots are cut by about 1/3.

As experienced gardeners and designers advise, works related to the formation of a shrub that began shortly after planting and are of a regular nature, will make it possible to achieve a spectacular plant appearance, and also exclude the development of honeysuckle diseases. Pruning shrubs also includes sanitary measures. They consist in inspecting the shoots of a climbing vine, if necessary in the removal of very old shoots. In addition, optimum height control is achieved by cutting the top of the honeysuckle. In this case, the plant will develop more actively in different directions, with an emphasis on side shoots.

Kaprifol loves moisture, so the vine should always be wet, especially in hot weather. At normal air temperature, the plant can be watered once every seven days, in hot months the introduction of moisture should be carried out twice as often. A good level of moisture will allow not only the shrub to develop properly, but also extend the period of its flowering, which will increase the decorative properties of honeysuckle.

As for the winter period in the southern and central regions, in this area, the plant shows high winter hardiness, in the northern areas of the plant are killed by large frosts. But even in a more favorable climate, the climber requires shelter for the winter to be sure that it will survive in the period of frost. Different materials can be used as a covering material, even cardboard, shelter of fallen leaves or peat gives good results. The main thing is to focus on the basal circle. In some cases, adult zoned varieties of honeysuckle do without shelter for the winter.

Liana does not belong to delicate cultures, but some pathogens still affect her.

• The main disease faced by the honeysuckle is fungus. It is expressed in the formation of spots on the green mass of the shrub. Most often, honeysuckle is sick with ramulariasis. The stains on the sheets in this case have a gray color. Without timely treatment, the disease spreads throughout the plant and reaches the stems and petioles, which die off due to fungus. To combat the fungus used copper sulfate and "Fundazol."
• No less dangerous for honeysuckle chalcosporosis. Its signs are dots of red-brown color. Treatment of plants from this disease is carried out by spraying copper sulphate.
• Sometimes shoots creepers strikes tuberculosis, which rolls the sheets, soon mounds are formed on them, after which the fungus infects the bark of the culture. Shoots with such symptoms should be cut off, the entire culture should be sprayed with blue vitriol, and scissors or shears should be treated with disinfectants.

Some insects can also harm the plant, for example, spider mites, ants, aphids, wireworms, moths and others. No less dangerous for shrew honeysuckle. The biggest damage to the culture is the aphid, because it gradually destroys the leaves of the shrub. To destroy it, chemicals are used, for example, Eleksar or Aktellik. Spider mite settles on untidy shrubs. To combat this insect, Omayta is effective. As a preventive spraying in the spring, honeysuckle is treated with copper sulfate.

The solution is prepared according to the following recipe: in one bucket of water it is necessary to dissolve two spoons of copper sulphate, and then treat the plant, without disregarding even the most difficult areas.

Most of the designers when decorating homestead plots and other areas of public and private use are planted with a hedgehog as a hedge. The use of this ornamental shrub will be an ideal variant of its creation, since it grows rather quickly and has an exotic appearance. Curly liana can become an attractive backdrop for placing the accents of the landscape, in addition, the culture is well combined with other ornamental shrubs.

Kaprifol can beautifully shade arbors or decorate any buildings on the site.

In general, culture stands out exclusively for positive characteristics and recommendations, and the appearance has determined the undying popularity of the decorative vine. Since the honeysuckle is unpretentious in care, the cultivation of a plant does not require many years of gardener's experience, which makes it possible to plant honeysuckle in ordinary summer cottages using it as a hedge. Among the many advantages of culture, its ability to grow quite quickly stands out, flowers and their scent deserve special attention. The variety of colors allows you to create incredibly beautiful winding arches. As for cultivation in the southern latitudes, gardeners argue that the plant tolerates winter well even without shelter.

The disadvantages of the honeysuckle also include its rapid growth, due to which she needs regular care concerning trimming. Otherwise, the shrub becomes untidy. In addition, in this state, the plant becomes susceptible to fungal diseases and attacks of insect pests. But in some cases, such rapid growth allows you to regularly receive new planting material for breeding honeysuckle.

You will learn more about honeysuckle capriole from the following video.