Gardeners have become interested in honeysuckle relatively recently. Even 10-15 years ago, few expected to grow it. Yes, this is not surprising: honeysuckle is a forest berry. And today it can be seen more and more often in suburban areas, and the choice of varieties is quite large.
What is interesting honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is one of the most beloved berries in the north. It ripens before strawberries and at the same time surpasses it in the number of nutrients. This shrub can be grown both as an ornamental and as a fruit. It is loved by gardeners because it is unpretentious: the berry can grow in almost any conditions.
Honeysuckle berries ripen before anyone else
Another advantage of this wonderful berry is its healing properties. It contains a lot of vitamin C, as well as a number of other useful substances, among them querticin, which is especially useful for capillaries. Honeysuckle will also help in the treatment of colds: it has an antipyretic effect.
In traditional medicine, honeysuckle also occupies far from the last place. It is used as a diuretic, anti-scaling, anti-malarial, astringent, stimulates the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and is an effective antiseptic.
But not only the medicinal properties are limited to the advantages of this berry. Many interesting dishes can be prepared from it: jelly, mashed potatoes, compotes, raw jams. The latter contain many useful substances and have a special sweet and sour taste.
Description of the variety of honeysuckle Amphora
The height of the bush of the honeysuckle of Amphora is not more than 1.5 m. The crown in it is round in shape, quite thick. Skeletal branches have a reddish-brown color. From them shoots of raspberry color depart. The leaves of Amphora are oval, slightly elongated, green, fleecy and dense.
Amphora honeysuckle bush grows to 1.5 m in height
The fruits are large, more than 2 cm in length, have the shape of a jug. By weight they reach an average of 1.1 g, a maximum of 3 g. The berries have a bluish-blue color and a waxy coating. It tastes sweet and sour with a small bitterness. The peel is strong, so it will not be difficult to bring it from the dacha to the city. From one bush you can remove 1.5-2 kg of berries.
Amphora is considered one of the best varieties of honeysuckle for blanks.
Amphora honeysuckle berries have a dense skin, so they are easy to transport
Grade characteristics
Variety Amphora bred in St. Petersburg from Kamchatka honeysuckle. Officially listed in the State Register in 1998.
Honeysuckle begins to bear fruit in the third year of cultivation. Berries ripen in the second half of June. The fruits do not fall off for a long time. In general, Amphora is distinguished by large berries, resistance to shedding and winter hardiness.
This variety must be planted next to other species, otherwise it is not pollinated. The best neighbors will be Nymph, Morena, Gzhelka, Altair.
How to Grow Honeysuckle Amphora
The peculiarity of honeysuckle is that it can grow in one place up to 20 years. However, if necessary, it can be transplanted at any age. Amphora transfers this procedure easily.
Choosing a place and soil
Despite its resistance to cold, honeysuckle will feel best in sunny areas. This berry loves to be constantly lit by the sun. In shaded areas yield will be lower. But the berry is not afraid of winds.
Honeysuckle does not like when water stagnates in the soil, although it is water-loving. In general, the soil is not particularly demanding, but organic fertilizers for its cultivation will be required.
Bush planting
Honeysuckle should be planted from August to November, when Amphora is at rest. Already in March, buds begin to swell on the bush. Therefore, by spring, the bush should take root in a new place. Spring planting will cause stress in the plant.
A hole for planting needs to be dug out according to the size of the root system of the seedling. Its bottom is then laid out by drainage. On top of the drainage layer, you need to put compost (about 1 bucket), ash (a liter can is enough), as well as about 50-60 g of superphosphate. Then the mixture is poured with a bucket of water and a seedling is placed in the center.
An important point when planting a seedling - do not shorten it. This procedure will delay the beginning of fruiting of the bush.
Honeysuckle is planted at the end of the growing season
Watering and feeding
Watering the soil under the honeysuckle is necessary so that it is constantly moist. But in no case can it be transfused: the earth should be crumbly, and not clumped into a lump.
From the third year of life, Amphora must be constantly fed. During the period of budding, organic fertilizers are needed: compost, humus. And at the end of August, honeysuckle will be very happy with ash. For one bush you will need a couple of glasses.
Pruning
You need to trim the plants from 3 years of age. Pruning is done for sanitary purposes. It is optimal to carry out the procedure in September, when the bush goes to rest. You need to check the branches and cut off the sick, dried or affected.
When the bush turns 6-7 years old, it is necessary to remove 1-2 non-fruiting branches each year, which are located near the ground. And from the age of 15 you can completely rejuvenate the bush.
Pest protection
Honeysuckle Amphora, like other varieties of this berry, is almost not susceptible to disease, but often suffers from pests. Due to the early ripening of the fruits, the plant should not be protected with pesticides. The best remedies will be bioinsecticides purchased in specialized stores.
Video: how to grow honeysuckle
Reviews
In my area there are ten varieties of honeysuckle. Nymph, Morena, Amphora, Leningrad giant, Nizhny Novgorod, Gourmand - these varieties are similar in taste, sweet with a pleasant acidity, without bitterness, the berries are large.
zamazkina//www.vinograd7.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&start=135&t=738
We planted too. Several bushes are wild - from the forest. Therefore, I do not know the name. But the Amphora variety - it has slightly less berries, but they are sweeter and very tasty. And the forest ones are bitter.
Ilkasimov//otzovik.com/review_2215417.html
Nymph, Amphora, Morena - good varieties, grow. Whoever said that they were sour - let him even think that they had been “cheated” and that they were growing.
Kentavr127//www.forumhouse.ru/threads/17135/page-8
Despite the fact that honeysuckle received a residence permit in suburban areas just recently, it is already very popular among gardeners. The berry is very healthy, tasty, and labor costs when growing it are minimal. In addition, honeysuckle is an excellent ornamental shrub.
