Early ripe honeysuckle variety Slavyanka

Not many gardeners grow honeysuckle on their plots, as it has a characteristic bitterness and sour taste. At the same time, the berry is rich in vitamins and minerals, and does not require special care when grown. The Slavyanka variety is especially popular, which has several advantages over others.

Description of edible honeysuckle variety Slavyanka

Thanks to its characteristics, the Slavyanka variety has fallen in love with many gardeners.

Origin and development

The variety of this berry culture was bred at the Pavlovsk Experimental Station breeders of the Federal Research Center of the All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources. N.I. Vavilova (VIR) (St. Petersburg). The variety received the best qualities from its ancestors - Primorskaya honeysuckle (elite form No. 21-5) and the Leningrad giant.

Chemical composition and useful properties

Due to its low calorie content - 40-45 kcal / 100 g - this berry is suitable for a dietary menu. 100 g of honeysuckle has a high concentration:

• vitamin A (0.07 mg);
• vitamin C (30 mg);
• vitamin B₁ (3 mg), B₂ (3 mg);
• beta carotene (0.42 mg);
• potassium (70 mg);
• calcium (19 mg);
• magnesium (21 mg);
• phosphorus (35 mg);
• iron (0.8 mg);
• iodine (0.01 mg);
• manganese (0.09 mg);
• copper (0.09 mg);
• mono- and disaccharides (8500 mg).

There are more than 100 types of honeysuckle in the world, and most of them are not suitable for consumption and even poisonous. Various varieties of edible blue / blue honeysuckle (Lonícera caeruléa) are used for cultivation in gardens.

Even in ancient China, the beneficial properties of this berry were noted. It is recommended to use it for:

• elimination of toxins;
• prevention of urolithiasis;
• improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• fight inflammation and lower fever;
• reducing puffiness;
• improving metabolism;
• prevention and improvement of the cardiovascular system (normalization of blood pressure, strengthening of the walls of blood vessels, improving blood circulation, lowering cholesterol levels);
• treatment of dermatological diseases;
• restoration of immunity;
• prevention of oncological formations.

Application features

Berries of the Slavyanka variety are used both raw and canned.... You can eat fresh fruits, grind them with sugar, or prepare juice, jelly, fruit drink.

No less useful frozen or dried berries, jams and preserves, since after heat treatment most of the vitamins are retained.

Attention! Up to 80% of nutrients are retained in honeysuckle after processing.

In addition to the fruits themselves, leaves, buds, flowers and roots are used.... They are added to tea.

Honeysuckle is also used in cosmetology for fight inflammation, acne, spider veins and maintain youthful skin. Gruel or fruit juice is mixed with masks, creams, shampoos, lotions and tonics.

Eating honeysuckle sometimes leads to diarrhea or constipation, the development of allergies, a decrease in blood pressure, a sharp increase in red blood cells and an increase in hemoglobin. Honeysuckle is contraindicated:

• pregnant and lactating women;
• have allergies;
• children under 3-5 years old;
• with exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
• people with low blood pressure.

Ripening period

The Slavyanka variety is mid-ripening - the berries ripen on average 40 days after setting... Depending on the region, fruits are harvested from late June (in the southern regions) to early August (in Central Russia, the Urals and Siberia).

Productivity and fruiting

Slavyanka is liked by many gardeners because of its high yield. Under proper growing conditions, an average of 1.5 to 2.5 kg of berries are harvested from a bush... This variety bears fruit annually for several decades and does not require a periodic change of location.

Resistance to diseases and pests, cold and drought

This variety of honeysuckle has a high disease resistance, but with improper care (lack of fertilizers, insufficient or excessive watering), the berry crop is often exposed to fungal diseases. Insect pests it is damaged infrequently, it is mainly attacked by aphids or ticks.

Honeysuckle Slavyanka can withstand frosts down to -45… -50 ° C and short-term drought up to + 30 ° C.

Appearance and taste

Slavyanka bush is erect, inversely conical in shape, vigorous, with upright-growing branches... is he grows up up to 1.5-1.9 m, and the crown width does not exceed 1 m. Poorly pubescent branches have a light pink color and good foliage.

Sami the leaves of this variety are large in size, have an oval shape with a pointed end, wavy leaf surface and dark green color. They are often located on the branches and on both sides.

Large edible berries are broadly spindle-shaped (rounded top and narrow base), light blue / blue color, thick wax coating. In length, the fruits grow up to 3 cm, their weight is up to 1 g. The skin of the fruit is thin and has a slight tuberosity, the pulp is tender and watery.

Important! Honeysuckle is often used in landscape design, since during flowering small flowers with a pleasant aroma appear.

Slavyanka's taste is sweet and sour, the bitterness characteristic of honeysuckle is absent, also berries have a delicate aroma. Tasting score - 4.5 points.

Which regions is best suited for

Due to its characteristics, this variety is recommended for cultivation in garden plots. central Russia, Siberia and Ural... Slavyanka adapts well to any climatic conditions: it is frost-resistant, tolerates drought well, it is not afraid of autumn frosts and thaws.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Gardeners prefer Slavyanka for the following merits:

• does not require special care (only timely watering, pruning and fertilization);
• has a high yield (up to 2.5 kg per bush);
• bears fruit for several decades;
• large berries with a sweet and sour taste, thin skin and delicate aroma;
• fruits stay on the bush for a long time after ripening;
• high adaptability to any climatic conditions (resistant to severe frosts and drought);
• low susceptibility to diseases and pests;
• well tolerates transportation and long-term storage;
• the bush does not need a garter.

Of the shortcomings - necessity annual pruning adult shrubs.

Difference from other varieties and hybrids

The main differences:

• small size of a shrub that does not require tying;
• large fruits with thin skin, soft and juicy pulp, sweet and sour taste, delicate aroma and absent bitterness;
• after ripening, berries do not crumble, are well transported and are suitable for eating raw and canned;
• high resistance to weather changes (frost, drought), various diseases and pests.

Agrotechnics

Slavyanka, although it is considered an unpretentious variety to care for, but for annual fruiting and high yields, it is necessary to follow the growing rules.

Choosing a place in the garden and preparing holes

For honeysuckle it is recommended to choose sunny or slightly shaded area.

Attention! If the shrub grows in the shade, the fruit will have the characteristic bitterness of honeysuckle.

The site chosen for planting is cleared of weeds, a hole up to 50 cm in diameter and up to 60 cm deep is dug on it and filled with compost or manure.

Ground requirements

Soil for this variety must have looseness, the ability to retain moisture and high acidity (pH less than 5.5) - loamy or sandy loam soils are suitable. Also, the earth needs to be enriched with minerals. For this, manure or fertilizer of plant origin (from chickpeas, peas, nettles) is used.

Timing, scheme and landing rules

In the spring or autumn period The slav is planted in the ground so that the seedling has time to take root.

It is not recommended to plant honeysuckle close to other plants - it is necessary to leave a small space (up to 1.5 m) for its growth and ventilation.

The well prepared in advance is moistened, the seedling is carefully placed and covered with the remaining soil. Sprinkle sawdust on top of the soil or lay hay to limit weed growth and retain moisture.

After the seedling, if necessary, cut off, setting the shape of the bush.

Growing features

This variety of honeysuckle is unpretentious in care – it is sufficient to water, fertilize, loosen the soil and cut off old branches in a timely manner:

1. The bush does not need additional shelter for the winter.
2. There is no need to cut the shrub in the early years, only to form the shape, all branches are made of the same height (30-40 cm above the ground). This will enable the bush to release young shoots. After 5-6 years, pruning should be done annually. To do this, remove old branches, damaged and thickened, giving the opportunity to form young shoots.
3. Annually the bush is fed... Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in parts: half the dose in the spring, and the rest after harvest. Phosphorus, potassium and magnesium are also periodically added. Once every 2 years, fertilize with well-rotted manure.
4. Slavyanka loves moist soil and especially needs water during flowering and ripening, therefore, under normal weather conditions, it needs moderate watering up to 3-4 times a season. In drought conditions, the frequency increases. On average, it takes up to 10 liters of warm water per shrub. The entire volume is not poured immediately under the root, but gradually, allowing water to seep to the entire root system.

Pollinators

Honeysuckle Slavyanka is partially self-fertile... For stable fruiting and high yield, it is recommended to plant Blue spindle, Berel, Aurora, Kamchadalka, Viola, Nymph, Leningrad giant, Roxanne, Avachu, Cinderella.

Disease and pest control

Despite the resistance of the variety to diseases and pests, sometimes the bush is struck:

1. Powdery mildew (fungal disease). It appears as a white powder coating on the leaves, which then leads to their drying. This is due to poor lighting, ventilation and high humidity. For the fight, various fungicides are used, spraying the whole plant with a frequency of 1 time in 10-14 days.
2. Aphid. It settles in the upper young parts of the bush. This causes yellowing, curling of the leaves. The affected areas become covered with sticky insect secretions. For treatment, insecticides are used. Spraying is stopped 2 weeks before harvest.

Growing difficulties

When growing Slavyanka there may be a problem such as wilting leaves... This is due to one of several reasons:

• lack of minerals and vitamins (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) - replenish with the help of dressings;
• excessive or insufficient watering - the procedure is carried out 4 times per season (up to 10 liters at a time), taking into account weather conditions;
• damage by disease or pests - the plant is treated with the necessary means.

Harvesting and storage

In some regions, the harvest from Slavyanka bushes is harvested in June... Since the berries ripen gradually, the collection is carried out in several stages. The fruits are carefully removed from the bush, trying not to disturb their integrity, and put in small containers with holes for the secreted juice to drain.

Honeysuckle of this variety is well stored and transported in containers... It is recommended to store unripe berries in a cool place until they are fully ripe (7-12 days), ripe fruits - up to 3 days.

Preparing for winter

In a special preparing for winter honeysuckle does not need - no additional cover is needed. It perfectly tolerates both autumn frosts and frosts down to -45 ° C.

Reproduction

The berry culture of this variety is gardeners propagated by cuttings and grown from seed:

1. For vegetative propagation, either green cuttings cut from an adult bush in the spring, or lignified cuttings obtained in the fall are used. The former are planted directly into the soil, and the latter are stored in a cool, dark place until spring and only then are planted in a nursery.
2. Seeds are sown both in spring and autumn in small containers, providing them with the necessary care (regular watering, sufficient lighting and loosening).

Advice and feedback from experienced gardeners

Experienced gardeners recommend:

• to obtain the annual harvest, create the necessary conditions - choose a place that is lighted and well-ventilated, ensure regular watering, loosening the soil and applying fertilizers;
• use honeysuckle Slavyanka not only as a fruit crop, but also to decorate a garden plot.

Summer residents note the high taste of honeysuckle, versatility and abundant fruiting.

Tamara, Vologda: “Honeysuckle Slavyanka has been growing in my summer cottage for 4 years already. I was recommended to buy several bushes at once, which I did. They began to bear fruit in the second year after planting, and the volume of the crop increases every year. The berries are large, juicy and not bitter ".

Elena, Novosibirsk: “For more than 10 years I have been growing honeysuckle at my dacha because of its beneficial properties. I use it to prevent cardiovascular diseases and increase the acidity of gastric juice. I love to eat berries crushed with sugar, and in winter I make jam and compotes from frozen fruits ".

Conclusion

Of the whole variety of honeysuckle varieties, many opt for Slavyanka, since it has several advantages: high resistance to weather conditions and diseases, large aromatic fruits with a sweet and sour taste. The culture does not require special growing conditions. Several small bushes will not only be the first to delight the gardener with a healthy harvest, but also decorate the summer cottage.