Like any plant, honeysuckle requires fertilization. Each species and variety has its own specific schedule and fertilizer composition. Fertilizing ensures healthy growth, lush flowering, and edible fruiting, enriching the soil with essential nutrients. It's recommended to mulch with humus or peat moss to a depth of 7-8 centimeters every two to three years.
Stages of fertilizing
There are two types of fertilizer application: root and foliar. The former involves applying nutrients directly to the plant's root system to improve the plant's root system. They can be applied in either dry or liquid form.
The need for this type of fertilizer can be determined by the honeysuckle's appearance. It's best to carry out this procedure on a cloudy day to prevent fertilizer residue from remaining on the leaves, which could cause sunburn.
Fertilizer application occurs in three stages in accordance with the schedule of vegetative processes:
- In spring, apply urea or ammonium nitrate at a rate of 20-30 grams to a depth of 20-30 centimeters. This is when active foliage growth and flower bud formation begin.
- In summer (after harvest), apply approximately 10 liters of slurry per plant or nitrophoska at a rate of 20 grams per 10 liters of water. This is the time of active flowering and fruit formation.
- In the fall, it is recommended to apply double superphosphate and potassium salt at a rate of approximately 15 grams per bush. This is the final stage of fruiting and the plant's preparation for winter.
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However, honeysuckle doesn't like frequent fertilizing. If the plant was fertilized when planted, repeat the process after three years. During the first three years, only regular watering and weeding are necessary; it doesn't require fertilizer.
How to feed honeysuckle
Fertilizers should be selected based on the season and the condition of the plant. It's important to choose the right fertilizers for a given crop to avoid damaging or killing the plant. honeysuckle care It is recommended to use simple mineral fertilizers, they have a rich content of nutrients for healthy crop growth.
However, it is advisable to use them in moderation; excessive use of fertilizers will not produce the desired results. Organic complex compounds increase soil fertility by promoting the development of soil bacteria and have a long-lasting effect.
Mineral simple fertilizers are inorganic compounds such as:
- nitrogen salts;
- potassium;
- phosphorus.
Due to a lack of nitrogen in the soil, seedling growth slows down, irreversible changes in shape occur, leaves do not grow to a certain shape, and inflorescences and fruit ovaries do not form well.
The following nitrogen compounds are suitable for all types and varieties of honeysuckle:
- ammonium nitrate;
- urea;
- ammonium sulfate;
- ammonium chloride.
It is recommended to apply them directly to the roots in dry form at a rate of approximately 15 grams per square meter, or use a 10 percent aqueous solution before the bush begins to bloom. It is crucial to not delay the first feeding, as intensive shoot growth lasts for one decade, and the application of nitrogen fertilizers affects the annual growth rate of honeysuckle.
You may be interested in:Organic complex compounds are natural fertilizers created by nature itself. These include:
- compost;
- bird droppings;
- manure;
- humus;
- wood ash.
They decompose completely in the soil, making them very popular among gardeners. They can be added to the soil in the spring or added to the topsoil when replanting. Organic matter can also be used in the fall; in winter, this fertile layer will provide a warming effect for the root system and will be mixed with the soil in the spring.
You may be interested in:In some cases, you can use folk remedies to feed honeysuckle:
- Coffee grounds, which contain a lot of nitrogen, can be used. Only natural ground coffee can be used. First, loosen the soil and water generously, then pour approximately 100 milliliters of coffee grounds into each hole every 2-3 days for two weeks.
- Potato boiling water is rich in starch, which nourishes the honeysuckle. Cooled water is poured into the hole once a week for a month. This procedure is performed in the spring, when the plant needs additional energy during the growing season.
- Aquarium water contains a large amount of nutrients that can support weakened plants. It is recommended to use it once or twice in the summer, after flowering.
Many people water honeysuckle with hot water in the spring. This is a very beneficial practice, as boiling water kills dangerous pests that overwinter in the soil without harming the honeysuckle's root system. It's recommended to water when the snow has melted, but the soil is still frozen.

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