Methods of reproduction of honeysuckle cuttings and their description
Not so long ago, honeysuckle has become one of the most sought-after garden crops. It is characterized not only by a large number of useful vitamins, but also by excellent frost resistance, ease of reproduction.
With a little desire and attentive attitude, the plant can be planted independently on the garden plot, and not acquire a bush. To help gardener agrotechnology, which offers a vegetative method.
General rules and deadlines
It is best to breed edible honeysuckle in summer and spring, because during this period it takes root perfectly, and there is enough time for the plant to take root and survive the harsh winter. If this is done in late autumn, then it will most likely die, it is better to just prepare stiff cuttings for the next year. In June, ideal conditions for the creation of a favorable climate, which contributes to the rapid development of the plant root system, occur.
The easiest way is to plant a bush, that is, to make several from one. But if everything was so simple, then gardeners would use only this method, and the agricultural technician would not look for other ways. You can use seeds for propagation, or even branches, which are added to the ground and receive excellent planting material, but in order to do this correctly, the gardener must have experience, and the process takes much more time.
One of the disadvantages of seed multiplication is the lack of parental qualities in new honeysuckle bushes; this is one of the reasons why gardeners rarely resort to this method.
Only bushes that are at least three years old are suitable for breeding.. Their branches by this period become more rigid and less flexible, therefore the formation of branches is not always a convenient option, since not every branch can simply bend down to the ground, and it is possible to divide only the old bush, which has already established itself quite well, without harm to the plant.
The first bush can always be bought, but it happens that honeysuckle cannot be found on sale, but it is available at a dacha from a neighbor, you just have to ask. Few people will be ready to give half of the shrubbery and hope that the second one will not perish, and they will not engage in the creation of branches, either.
Despite the fact that breeding by branches is quite simple, it takes a lot of time, because the soil needs to be dug up and raised around the bush. Annual branches bend down and secured with studs to the ground so that they can give roots, and covered with earth. It is important to add drips and water over the course of the year so that they can later be used to propagate honeysuckle.
It is only in the spring that the shoots become able to grow independently, so they are separated with a secateur and transplanted to a permanent place. It takes two years for the bushes to fully fruit, or even more.
This method has a big disadvantage - it cannot be used with respect to all varieties of shrubs, because there are simply no one-year branches that could be bent to the ground.
That is why the cutting method is becoming increasingly popular, since it does not require much experience and knowledge and causes minimal damage to the plant. Moreover, with its help you can get any number of bushes, and they themselves perfectly take root.
There are two methods of breeding honeysuckle cuttings:
- green;
- stiff.
How to propagate green cuttings?
The easiest way to grow roots on a green handle at home is to keep it in the water, and then plant it in the ground. It is necessary to start choosing planting material when the flowers have already fallen, and fruits have appeared on the branches. As a rule, this is the end of spring and the beginning of summer.
If the cutting is cut off too early, it will rot, the root system will not develop enough, so the plant will not take root well. Each shoot can give several bushes in the future, if properly carry out the procedure. To accelerate, it is possible to place the shoot in water, but in a special stimulating solution. Excellent "Kornevin", instructions for use are on the package.
The gardener must pay attention not only to the quality of planting material, but also to regularly maintain. Watering and airing are the main task at the stage of germination and rooting. You can create a small greenhouse, but you shouldn’t completely remove the cover, it’s better to make holes, because you also need to harden cuttings properly.
Even if the cuttings have leaves and a root system, there is no need to remove the shelter, as this may adversely affect further growth and development. Until the end of summer, they should be hidden, only in the fall they are prepared for winter, but even with the onset of cold weather, young bushes should not be left completely open, cover them with old foliage that will play the role of a blanket.
After wintering, the saplings in the spring will give buds and will open, during the first year they will have several branches, but you should not cut them, because it requires that the crown be formed. During this period, you can still transplant a bush, then it is better not to do it, but if it is weak, then it is better to postpone the transplant next year.
Escape selection
You can graft only those shoots that are not less than a year old by checking whether they are ready for the procedure.
How to do this, not every gardener knows correctly. Bending the branch, look at it, it should not be flexible and soft, because it is not suitable for reproduction. Cuttings of this type will not be able to give roots quickly, since they do not have enough vitality for this. Only those branches that break when bent are ready for breeding.
How to cut?
The cutting for planting should be between 7 and 12 centimeters long. It is imperative that there are two or three buds and internodes. When planting, the lower foliage is all removed, leaving only the upper ones, but in a minimal amount, so evaporation of moisture can be reduced.
The middle part of the branch becomes the handle, the lower part is cut at an angle of 45 degrees. The upper cut must be straight and be at least 1.5 centimeters from the upper bud.
The lower cut can be treated with special means that not only stimulate the growth of the root system, but also prevent rotting and infection by fungi.
How to root?
Honeysuckle cuttings can be rooted in different ways, it is best to use a wooden box without a bottom, which is placed on the ground, and you can stretch the film on top of it to create a greenhouse effect. Outside, the structure must be insulated with rubble or broken bricks. Be sure to fill in the sand, the layer thickness must be at least three centimeters.
Before planting cuttings, the land in the box is plentifully irrigated. The distance between the planted rows should be 7-10 centimeters, this is enough for the development of the root system of future bushes.
If there is no time to prepare the stalk, you can take a simple wooden box, fill it with earth, pour it and plant planting material in it. Honeysuckle breeding in this way is very popular because the box can be easily moved to the right place. It is also covered with a film to create a unique microclimate.
It is even easier for planting plants to plant cuttings in plastic bottles, which can be successfully placed on the window. Or use them differently: plant cuttings in any free space in the garden and cover them with cut plastic bottles.
Cutting of woody parts of the plant
Lignified cuttings are prepared before buds bloom on the bush, and after the last leaf has fallen. These are two favorable times when a gardener should take care of planting material if he plans to plant a bush.
In the spring they are planted in the ground and after three weeks the first roots should appear. It is worth knowing that harvesting cuttings in autumn gives only 20% survival rate, while reproduction in spring with green shoots up to 70%.
Stocking
It is difficult to say the exact date, because in different regions of the country the honeysuckle begins to produce greens at different times. Always take branches of the same age, where you can get from two to five internodes. The thickness of the cutting should be at least one centimeter in diameter. On average, about 20 centimeters in length, it is in this space that five internodes are located.
If it is grafted in spring, the planting material is boldly immersed in the ground, so that it can give roots before the onset of the first cold weather. If the workpiece was carried out in the fall, then the branches are removed in a wet sackcloth, you can in paper and buried in the sand, or you can use sawdust.
Rooting
In cold regions for planting use a special breeding ground, where you can easily create the necessary temperature and humidity. In the south, planting is done immediately in the ground in high beds.
The soil in any case should be dug over and leveled. It is best to moisten it not just with water, but with the addition of “Heteroauxin” or “Trichodermine”, which contribute to the development of a strong root system and protect it from rotting.
The distance between the cuttings of 12 centimeters, the upper bud should be covered with earth, the thickness of the cover is 1 centimeter. Planting can cover the film or other material used in farming. This will maintain the required level of humidity.
After 20 days, you can remove the film, since the roots have already appeared, and even the first buds have opened. So that the bush could continue to develop normally, it is necessary to provide it with regular irrigation, but the soil should not be wet, only wet. Loosen the soil and constantly remove weeds, too, will be required.
Particular attention is paid to the quality of the soil. It is advisable to pre-fertilize it and dilute in equal proportions garden soil, peat and sand. Such a light primer is ideal for cuttings, because it does not trap moisture and perfectly passes the air.
The lower internode must be completely immersed in the ground, it is desirable to crush the ground around it, and even spud a little shank. If you do not want to mess around, cover the plant with a cut-off plastic 1.5-liter bottle, this will be enough.
If the gardener is not used to being lazy, then he can easily grow wonderful honeysuckle bushes on his plot, it is enough to water the cuttings in time and air the greenhouse. A good harvest is ensured if you plant several bushes of different varieties near each other.
If there is no experience, then it is better to use the method of green grafting for reproduction, since the percentage survival rate is much higher. Following the advice of professionals, in three years the honeysuckle bushes will reach the size when it will be possible to harvest a rich harvest from them.
Useful tips
- Honeysuckle is well tolerated with a closed root system, so it is better once again to pile up and water it well. Some gardeners are frustrated in their attempts to propagate the plant, but failures are comprehended only because they, without understanding the intricacies of the process, make many mistakes.
- It is not enough to own the intricacies of care and planting, the gardener is required to understand the biological characteristics of this unpretentious plant. An important role in the formation of a pleasant taste is played by cross-pollination, if it is not provided, the hive may even refuse to bear fruit, since the honeysuckle is self-productive. Several varieties of this plant should grow around, it is desirable that there should be at least four of them, and they were not only different periods of ripening, but also had berries with differing tastes.
- It must be remembered that honeysuckle is a light-loving plant, so it must be planted in the sun, otherwise even the cuttings will not take root.Too wet and shady soil leads to the appearance of fungal diseases, and, accordingly, to the appearance of rotting. Do not plant the plant in rows; it is better to do this with a curtain, since a large crown will attract insects, especially bumblebees, which are effective pollinators.
- If you chose a vegetative breeding method, then use not old bushes, which have enough energy to give high-quality planting material. If you notice signs of disease, the branches are unsuitable for reproduction.
- The gardener's primary task is to activate the root system, for this reason stimulants are used. Bright sun, pleasant microclimate and high humidity of the soil finish the job started.
- No need to think that if the sapling gave roots, now it is ready for natural disasters. He still needs to adapt and grow until the necessary immunity is developed. Do not replant it immediately, wait two years for the plant to mature.
A little effort - and on the site next year there will be new honeysuckle bushes, the main thing is to find and create high-quality planting material, take care of it, organize the necessary greenhouse conditions. From that, the gardener will how much responsibly approach the solution of a task, the result which he will receive depends.
You will learn some secrets of breeding honeysuckle from this video.