Honeysuckle berries are not only tasty, their composition has beneficial properties. But in order to get a rich harvest, do not forget about fertilizing the plant throughout the year. Different types of feeding are required at different times of the year.
Terms of top dressing
When planting a plant, a prerequisite is fertilization of the planting pit with organic matter. Then the food will be enough for the next 3 years, while the honeysuckle will slowly start in growth. The first full harvest is possible for 3-4 years.
Top dressing of garden honeysuckle is subject to a clear schedule:
- In the spring, in April, 20 g of urea or 30 g of ammonium nitrate is added to a depth of 25-30 cm under each bush.
- In summer, in July, slurry of 7-10 liters or nitrofoska 20 g per 10 liters of water is useful.
- In the fall, in late September and early October, it is important to add double superphosphate or potassium salt of 15 g per bush.
We recommend that you read the article on how to care for honeysuckle in the fall.
Depending on the region and its climatic norms, the timing of feeding may shift in one direction or another.
How to feed honeysuckle?
For additional nutrition of honeysuckle, mineral fertilizers, organics and folk remedies are used. All of them are used both singly and in addition to each other. It is only important to observe the norms and proportions of top dressing, and take into account the need for their components for the bush for each application period.
Mineral fertilizers
Mineral fertilizers have an inorganic origin. They are obtained chemically using reactions between substances and elements. Thus, a high percentage in the fertilizer of the necessary component is achieved: potassium, nitrogen or phosphorus. They are quickly absorbed by the plant, but their presence in the soil is short-lived.
Spring feeding is carried out to accelerate the growth of honeysuckle, prevent deformation of the shrub, to form green mass and plant ovaries. All these points depend on the presence of a sufficient amount of nitrogen in the soil. Therefore, nitrogen fertilizers are used:
- Ammonium nitratecontains about 35% nitrogen, with complementary chalk, phosphoric gypsum or crushed limestone. It dissolves well in water. It is used dry and in aqueous solution. Saltpeter can be scattered over the surface of the soil, it will dissolve with moisture and with its help it will be delivered to the surface roots of honeysuckle. The application rate of 10-20 g per 1 square. m. For foliar top dressing, 5 g of nitrate should be diluted in 10 l of water.
- Urea (nitrogen urea) is 45% nitrogen. It is applied dissolved in water or buried in the soil. In surface distribution, nitrogen in the form of ammonia evaporates. The application rate is from 10 to 20 g per 1 sq. In this case, 20-30 g of urea are taken for 10 liters of water. Nitrogen carbamide is not compatible with lime, chalk and simple superphosphate.
- Ammonium sulfate contains up to 22% nitrogen and 18% sulfur. When applied dry, it is perfectly absorbed with watering or rain, and remains in the fertile soil layer for a long time. To do this, mix the fertilizer with chalk or limestone in a 1: 1 ratio to reduce the acidifying properties of ammonium sulfate. Average rate per 1 sq. m 25
- Ammonium chloride(ammonia) consists of nitrogen at 25%, chlorine - 67%. Fertilizer strongly acidifies the soil, therefore it is mixed with lime in a ratio of 1: 1.3, but is readily available for the shrub. It is soluble in water. The introduction is desirable in the fall for plowing the land, so that by spring chlorine, unsafe for plants, will sink to the lower layers of the soil.
Ammonium is not compatible with ash!
Ammonium nitrate
Urea (nitrogen carbamide)
Ammonium sulfate
Ammonium chloride (ammonia)
Phosphorus fertilizers in spring for flowering
Phosphorus predominates in the composition of such mineral fertilizers. This element is responsible for maintaining moisture in the soil, the formation, juiciness and taste of honeysuckle berries. Ornamental shrub varieties do not need phosphorus, since their berries are not suitable for food.
The following top dressings are applied on a phosphorus basis:
- Superphosphate contains up to 20% phosphorus. The application is carried out by the continuous method at the rate of 50 g of fertilizer per 1 sq. m of land.
- Dual superphosphate 37-43% composed of phosphorus. More economical than superphosphate and there are no unnecessary substances in the composition. Helps shrubs survive the winter.
- Phosphorite flour contains up to 20% phosphorus and 65% calcium. It is applied on acidified soil. Increases plant immunity to diseases, is a prophylaxis against parasites, increases the winter hardiness of honeysuckle. Fertilizer consumption - 30 g per 1 sq. m.
Superphosphate contains up to 20% phosphorus
Double superphosphate is 37-43% phosphorus
Phosphorite flour contains up to 20% phosphorus and 65% calcium
Phosphate fertilizers for the basal application method are diluted with water to obtain a 10% composition. Between the introduction of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizing, make a time interval of at least 30 days.
Potassium for autumn
Potash fertilizers are used in the fall to prepare honeysuckle for the coming winter. Potassium strengthens the root system. Maintaining it at a sufficient level reduces the likelihood of shrub disease and is a preventive measure against pests.
The greatest effect of feeding from Cainite. It has a minimum nitrate content of all potash fertilizers. It is applied at the end of the harvest. The application rate of 50 g per square. m.
Organic complex formulations
Organic fertilizers are just as good for honeysuckle. It takes time for the release of trace elements and substances from them, but the positive effect on the plant is longer than when using mineral fertilizers.
Organic fertilizers contain potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, supplemented with calcium, copper, sulfur and other elements. Organic matter completely disintegrates in the soil. A minimum amount of money is spent on its acquisition.
These fertilizers include:
- Humus (compost) represents rotted plant residues and organic household waste, sprinkled with peat or soil. They are collected in a special box or compost pit, periodically mixed and moistened. Contains almost all nutrients necessary for a shrub.
It is used for mulching and digging the soil, making it loose. Thanks to this, oxygen penetrates to the roots more easily, and the soil itself retains moisture longer. For liquid feeding of honeysuckle, humus is dissolved in water, insisted for several days in a warm place. - Manure (mullein)For top dressing it is used well rotated. It is added when digging a site. Contains a large amount of nitrogen, which is slowly released and accumulated by shrubs. Therefore, manure is recommended for autumn application. In the spring, the mullein is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 6, the honeysuckle is infused and watered through the recesses around the bush. The use of fresh manure is dangerous for plants, as it causes severe burns to the root system.
- Ash -a source of calcium and potassium, it is used not only as a top dressing, but also as a means of combating diseases of honeysuckle and to repel pests. The prevalence of a particular element in it depends on the type of wood ash. It is scattered around the site when the soil is loosened, an ash solution for root and foliar top dressing is prepared. For this, 300 g of ash is added to 10 liters of water. Insist 2-3 days, then filter. For watering, 5 l is enough for each honeysuckle bush.
- Bird droppingscontains a large amount of nitrogen. It is used in the fall for feeding and mulching dry soil. In winter, when decomposing, it emits heat, thereby warming the roots of honeysuckle. Its water infusion is an excellent liquid fertilizer for the spring. Prepared from 1 part organic matter and 10 parts water.
Watch a video on how to fertilize honeysuckle with organic fertilizers:
An excess of organic matter is just as dangerous as a large amount of mineral fertilizers. They should be introduced minimally, dosed. Due to their complex composition, such dressings are used no more than 2 times per season.
When digging up soil with organic matter, be careful and careful. Keep in mind that the root system of honeysuckle has a superficial location, and its possible mechanical damage or burns from contact with fertilizer.
Folk remedies for feeding after flowering and winter
Folk recipes for feeding honeysuckle:
- Sleeping coffee grounds. It will help to replenish the nitrogen content in the soil, if after 2 days for 14 days you water the plant with a chilled coffee composition, or add a drop of thick ground near the root and then water it.
- Once every 7-10 days, you can pamper the honeysuckle with water drained after boiling the potatoes. With it, the shrub receives starch - an additional source of nutrition. It is important for shrubs after wintering to accelerate vegetation processes.
- Aquarium water contains biological substances of fish activity. Therefore, pouring this water under the honeysuckle shrub, you additionally nourish the plant.
For bait, you can use infusions of yeast, tea, banana peel, nettle.
Foliar feeding of honeysuckle
The foliar fertilization method is used in combination with the root one, or, when it is necessary to achieve a quick positive effect, restore the plant, and help it cope with the disease. The leaf plates, due to the total area, very quickly absorb fertilizing solutions, carrying useful elements and substances throughout the plant.
Urea Spray
Spraying with a urea solution is used when young shoots of honeysuckle grow slowly, with deformations, and the leaf plate has a pale green hue. This measure accelerates the growth of young shoots and the formation of buds on them, which ultimately leads to an increase in yield.
If there is a danger of coincidence of the flowering period of the shrub with frost, foliar top dressing with urea will help to delay the onset of the appearance of flowers.
To spray the honeysuckle, prepare a 10% aqueous fertilizer solution. Top dressing consumption - 1 liter for each shrub.
For a quick visible effect, prepare a solution according to this recipe:
- urea - 1 tbsp. l .;
- superphosphate - 10 g;
- potassium sulfate - 5 g;
- water - 10 liters.
Useful Tips
Carrying out honeysuckle and fertilizer care activities, use the following tips:
- Water the shrub before fertilizing and after the event. This is done so that the dry fertilizer dissolves and the nutrients reach the root system.
- After application, organic matter is always covered with a layer of earth. This is due to the fact that most organic fertilizing should be decomposed (humus, compost).
- Loosen the honeysuckle area more often. This will improve the penetration of air into the soil, which will beneficially affect the plant.
- Observe the irrigation regime. The shrub does not tolerate drought and excessive humidity. When fruiting berries crumble. With the onset of October, stop watering, there will be enough rainwater for honeysuckle.
- Do not overdo the fertilizer! Follow the golden rule of the gardener, which says that it is better to introduce less fertilizing than to cause an excess of trace elements and substances in the soil.
Honeysuckle is an unpretentious plant, but still requires attention. Fruiting shrub varieties require additional nutrition for a plentiful harvest. Therefore, observe the timing of fertilization, taking into account their types. And in the fall, enjoy berries that contain a large number of healthy ingredients and vitamins.