How to Care for Honeysuckle in Winter
As a vine plant with both ornamental and medicinal values, the winter care of honeysuckle directly affects the quality of flowering the following year. This article focuses on the three core aspects of fertilization management, water control, and pruning techniques, combined with illustrations to explain the key points of honeysuckle's overwintering care, helping you create stronger, cold-resistant plants.
Core Elements of Honeysuckle Winter Care
Accurate Fertilization Ensures Nutrient Reserve
15 days before the beginning of winter is a crucial period for applying base fertilizer. It is recommended to mix decomposed sheep manure and bone meal in a 3:1 ratio (200-300g per plant) and apply it in a circular trench 15cm away from the main stem. Adding 5% calcium superphosphate can enhance cold resistance, and care should be taken to avoid using uncomposted fertilizer to prevent root burn.
Scientific Water Control Achieves Moisture Balance
In the northern region, water thoroughly in mid-November (when the temperature is above 0℃ for 3 consecutive days), and for southern potted plants, it is recommended to maintain a substrate moisture of 30%. Use the bamboo stake method: insert into the potting soil for 5 minutes, and the ideal state is when no sticky soil adheres to it, combined with using陶粒 (ceramic particles) mulch to enhance drainage.
Systematic Pruning Promotes Energy Concentration
Perform the three-level pruning method around the winter solstice: 1) Remove withered old branches, 2) Shorten the current year's branches to retain 3-4 buds, and 3) Thin out intersecting branches. Immediately seal the cuts with wood ash after pruning and spray 1% Bordeaux mixture to prevent diseases. Retaining the main vine shaping branches accounting for 60% of the total branches is the best ratio.
Advanced Care Considerations
For ground-planted plants, cover the roots with 10cm of soil, and in the north, it is recommended to wrap them with cold-proof felt. Move potted plants to a south-facing enclosed balcony, maintaining a low temperature of 5-8℃ for vernalization. Rotate the pot 180 degrees weekly to ensure even exposure to light, and use a tray to increase humidity when the air humidity is below 40%.
By establishing a nutrient reserve through accurate fertilization, maintaining metabolic balance with scientific water control, and optimizing plant structure through systematic pruning, combined with environmental control measures, not only can honeysuckle safely overwinter, but it can also store enough energy for spring germination. It is recommended to replace the potting soil every 2 years and add vermiculite to improve the substrate structure, and continuously observing the color changes of new buds can help adjust the care plan in a timely manner.