Why honeysuckle does not grow - causes and solutions to the problem

Every year more and more gardeners are planting honeysuckle in the country. The plant is unpretentious in care, while there are dozens of decorative and edible varieties. The culture is grown as a decoration for the garden plot: neat bushes are widely used in landscape design.

However, it happens that the shrub grows slowly or does not take root well. Let's consider in the article why honeysuckle does not grow on the site and what to do about it.

Why does honeysuckle grow poorly on the site

Despite the fact that honeysuckle belongs to unpretentious crops, it is recommended to properly care for it from the first days of life. Right after landing summer residents organize watering, feeding, loosening and mulching the soil. The procedures nourish and moisturize the plant roots, make the soil lighter and more nutritious.

However, sometimes, even with all the rules, honeysuckle grows slowly or does not develop at all, looks bad, does not bears fruit... There are several reasons for this: an excess or lack of vitamins and microelements, waterlogging or lack of water, inappropriate climatic conditions for growing.

Let's list the main factors of influence:

1. Incorrect top dressing. We are talking about both a lack and an overabundance of nutrients. A slowdown in growth causes an excess of phosphorus, application of dry fertilizers, the use of organic and mineral substances at the same time.
2. Excessive deepening of the seedling when planting. Honeysuckle is planted at a depth of no more than 40 cm. Otherwise, feeding does not reach the root system, which causes problems with growth.
3. Waterlogging - a common cause of occurrence diseases and pests... Especially dangerous in hot and dry weather.
4. Abrupt weather changes. If it's a cold and rainy summer, the honeysuckle won't have enough sunlight and warmth. Because of this, metabolic processes are disrupted, which affects not only growth, but also yield.
5. Damage by underground pests and rodents... Honeysuckle is attacked by bears, sawfly beetles, aphids, leaf rollers. They gnaw at the roots and bark of the plant, carry dangerous microbacteria and fungal spores.
   

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In the first 2-3 years, honeysuckle grows slowly, therefore, it is possible to judge whether the plant has taken root on the site or not only in the fourth or fifth year after planting.

Growing slowly

A common cause of slow growth is powdery mildew. A dangerous fungus causes a white coating on the inside of the leaves, which over time covers the entire plant... In plants, leaves fall prematurely, growth stops. Even if you cure powdery mildew from honeysuckle as quickly as possible, next year you may still experience a slowdown in growth.

On the site for flowering and a good harvest, 3-5 different varieties of honeysuckle are planted. This is important for cross-pollination, otherwise there is a high probability of not getting a crop at all. Before buying and planting, it is recommended to study the compatibility of different varieties. At the beginning of flowering, shrubs are sprayed with a sugar or honey solution to attract pollinating insects.

Does not take root

Another reason why honeysuckle does not take root on the site is an unsuitable place for growing... Experienced summer residents advise planting the plant on loose soils with neutral acidity, for example, in loamy or sandy loam soil. In advance, in 4-5 months, they dig a hole and fertilize it with organic fertilizers: rotted manure, vermicompost, solution of poultry droppings.Suitable neighbors for honeysuckle are garden greens, legumes, undersized berry bushes. Do not plant fruit trees nearby, as they "take" food and sunlight from the honeysuckle.

Attention! When planting honeysuckle, it is important to choose the right variety. For example, Titmouse is moderately frost-resistant, so it is grown in warm regions; it is not suitable for planting in the Urals and Siberia. Honeysuckle Blue Spindle, on the other hand, is frost-resistant and quickly takes root in any region.

Another reason for slow growth is the unsuitable soil composition and structure. The plant reacts poorly to swampy and boggy heavy soils, which are located near groundwater. With an excess of moisture, the roots rot. Pay attention to the presence of sunlight: the landing site should be well lit. In the shade or partial shade, honeysuckle grows slowly.

What to do if honeysuckle does not grow

To make honeysuckle happy with a beautiful flowering and delicious fruitsrecommended in early spring start caring for her: organize watering 1-2 times a week, draw up a fertilization scheme. Summer residents alternate organic and mineral fertilizing, use chicken manure, compost, urea, ammonium nitrate, double superphosphate. If the leaves turn yellow and fall off, there is an excess of minerals - in this case, the plant is not fertilized for 2-3 weeks.

Reference! To avoid developmental problems, before planting, the seedlings are soaked for several hours in the Kornevin growth stimulator. It strengthens the plant's immunity, stimulates healthy growth.

Pay attention to soil loosening and mulching. Loosening the honeysuckle every 10 days, before watering. Grass, hay, foliage, coniferous sawdust are used as mulch. Mulch is a barrier against rodents and pests. After 3 years after planting, they begin to prune and form the crown.

When growing slowly, the shrub is regularly inspected for insects, rodents, or diseases. Some pests reach a length of less than 1 mm, so it is difficult to see them with the naked eye. The affected leaves and shoots are immediately sprayed with a solution of potassium permanganate or Bordeaux liquid.

Conclusion

Why does decorative or edible honeysuckle grow poorly on the site? The reasons are different: unprepared or acidic soil, weak or diseased seedlings, pests and rodents. To avoid problems, they fertilize the planting pit in advance, soak the seedlings in a growth stimulator, draw up an irrigation and balanced nutrition scheme. Several varieties are planted on one site at once for successful cross-pollination.