Morena blue honeysuckle: variety description, pros and cons, planting and care
Moraine Honeysuckle is a popular variety that is specifically designed for growing in cold climates. Gardeners in the northern regions are happy to plant this crop, as it has sweet berries and is unpretentious in care. When choosing this crop, you should familiarize yourself with the description of the Morena blue honeysuckle variety. This will help to choose the right place for planting and provide the plant with quality care.
Variety description
Morena is a medium-sized squat shrub that has a rounded crown.This variety of honeysuckle has not too dense foliage of a bright green hue. The shrub is distinguished by its compact size and thick brown-green shoots without fluff. In good conditions, honeysuckle can reach a height and width of 150-170 centimeters. The life cycle of culture is 30-35 years. However, productive fruiting lasts only 20-25 years.
The flowering of the bush begins at the end of May. During this period, the compact crown is covered with yellow flowers that exude a pleasant aroma. During this period, the plant looks very decorative. Because this variety is often used in landscape design.
History of Breeding
The Morena variety was created in the early nineties of the last century. It was brought out at the Pavlovsk Experimental Station named after Vavilov. Plekhanova and Kondrikova worked on the selection of this culture.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionBy crossing elite forms of honeysuckle, scientists have managed to achieve a variety that is ideal for growing in harsh weather conditions. In 1995, Morena entered the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation. This variety is also called the Little Mermaid.Moraine Characteristics
Culture is considered early ripe. This variety belongs to large-fruited varieties. Adult bushes bear fruit weighing more than 1-1.3 grams. However, sometimes their mass reaches 3.5 grams.
The berries are distinguished by an elongated jug-shaped shape with a pronounced surface tuberosity. An important feature of the variety is the same size of the fruit. Ripe berries are characterized by a bluish-blue color. From above they are covered with a dense skin with a wax coating.
The variety has a universal purpose. Harvested fruits easily withstand transportation and can be stored for some time. You can make delicious jam and juice from them.
Advantages and disadvantages
The key advantages of honeysuckle of this variety include the following:
- stable yield;
- high frost resistance;
- large fruits;
- easy care;
- good taste;
- possibility of cultivation in different regions;
- high content of vitamins and trace elements;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- minimum shedding of berries;
- early ripening.
When planting a crop, its disadvantages should also be taken into account. The main disadvantages of the variety include the following:
- not very high yield parameters;
- need for pollinators.
Planting and care instructions
It is recommended to plant a plant at the end of summer or autumn. The optimal time for planting falls on the last week of September. This will allow the plant to take root well and form buds by spring.
To carry out landing work, it is recommended to perform the following actions:
- divide the plot into rows with an interval of 2-3 meters;
- determine a place for each plant - they should be placed at intervals of 1.5-2 meters;
- dig a hole for planting - its diameter should be 40-45 centimeters;
- pour water into the hole and wait until it is completely absorbed;
- pour 10 liters of manure or compost into each recess - it is also permissible to add superphosphate or potassium sulfate;
- mix soil with top dressing and make a small hill;
- put the plant in the hole and straighten its roots;
- sprinkle the culture with soil, deepening the root collar by 3-5 centimeters;
- tamp the soil;
- pour 10 liters of water under the bush;
- sprinkle the trunk circle with dry earth.
Before planting, do not cut the branches of the plant. Carrying out this procedure will worsen the survival of the culture. This species is considered non-capricious, therefore it does not need intensive care. However, the standard rules of agricultural technology still need to be observed. They include soil moistening, fertilization, crown formation, removal of dried shoots, loosening of the earth. It is also required to engage in disease prevention and preparation for frost.
When growing honeysuckle of this variety, it should be borne in mind that the culture requires systematic watering. This is especially true in dry weather. Morena also responds well to the application of organic fertilizers. In order for the soil to better absorb nutrients and water, it needs to be systematically loosened, weeded, cleaned of weeds and debris.It is recommended to apply fertilizer from the third year of shrub growth.
How to cut properly
In the first 4 years, it is better not to cut the bush. This procedure will provoke a slowdown in growth and reduce yield parameters. Honeysuckle is not prone to the formation of a dense crown. In addition, it independently takes on a spherical shape.
From the age of 4, it is recommended to carry out exclusively sanitary pruning. In this case, you need to remove old and diseased shoots. This will help make room for new growth. During pruning, it is strictly forbidden to touch young branches. They are the basis for fruiting.
Pest Control
Mature plants are resistant to pest attacks. At the same time, young bushes sometimes suffer from such parasites:
- Aphids - causes the foliage to curl and dry, which eventually falls off. In this case, the bush turns brown. These parasites are visible to the naked eye. When pests are identified, it is worth processing with "Confidor" or "Aktellik" .
- Leaflet Butterfly - the main danger is caterpillars that absorb plant juices. At the same time, the leaves of the bushes are folded into a tube and pulled together by a cobweb. After some time, the bush turns yellow and dries. Fitoverm and Dimilin help to cope with parasites.
- Willow shield - is quite rare and affects shrubs under the bark. Bulges are formed on the surface of the shoots, which are similar in shape to a comma. Fitoverm helps to cope with pests.
- Spider mite - first, the parasite infects the lower part of the leaf, after which small white dots appear on top. After some time, he moves to the top of the leaves, and the whole bush is covered with cobwebs. A solution of laundry soap will help to cope with pests. With extensive damage, it is worth treating the bush with special preparations - Aktofit, Fitoverm, Vertimek.
It is worth processing the crop only if pests are visually detected. The culture should be sprayed 2-3 times. This is done with an interval of 10-14 days. During fruit ripening, you can use only folk remedies or biological preparations.
Pollination nuances
This variety is considered self-fertile. This means that pollinator crops need to be planted nearby. Among them, it is worth highlighting the following varieties:
- Amphora;
- Viola;
- Blue bird;
- Blue spindle;
- Nymph;
- Malvina.
How to store and transport crops
This variety of honeysuckle has a short harvest period. Many gardeners place a film under the bushes on which the berries fall. This makes it easier to collect them. If we consider transportation issues, then the fruits of this variety can hardly endure transportation over long distances.
Morena is a popular honeysuckle variety that produces tasty and large fruits. This plant has a stable yield and does not require complex care.
