When does the honeysuckle bloom?
Today, we will introduce when honeysuckle blooms and the green plant and flower planting content about the flowering time of honeysuckle. Keep reading for more information!
Recently, honeysuckle in some areas has already formed buds and is about to face large-scale picking. When is the specific time for picking honeysuckle?
Honeysuckle has a long blooming period, usually from mid-to-late May to mid-October, about 150 days. The blooming period is wave-like, continuous with peaks, known as the "first, second, third, fourth, and fifth flushes." Picking honeysuckle at the right time is one of the key measures to increase yield and improve quality.
The picking season for honeysuckle varies slightly due to microclimates and growing conditions. The concentrated picking period for the first flush is usually in mid-to-late May, the second flush in early June, the third in early July, the fourth in early September, and the fifth in early October. The peak blooming period for the first flush is short, usually 5-7 days, while the second and third flushes last about 7 days, and the fourth and fifth flushes can extend to 10 days.
Honeysuckle belongs to the indefinite inflorescence, and the buds develop unevenly. Even in the same flush, it should be picked in batches according to different growth stages and different flowers. The most suitable picking period is when the upper part of the flower spike swells and turns white, known as the "white needle period" by farmers. Picking too early (i.e., the second white needle period) results in small, pale, and tender flower spikes, while picking too late causes the flower spikes to open and turn yellow, affecting yield and quality. Tests have shown that the dry weight of the white needle flowers is 4.2 grams and 1.1 grams higher than that of the second white needle and open flowers, respectively; the content of chlorogenic acid is 0.35% and 1.54% higher. Therefore, it is essential to strictly pick honeysuckle during the white needle period, as picking too early or too late can affect yield and quality.
Picking honeysuckle is a very patient and meticulous task that requires picking one by one in batches, which is time-consuming and tiring. Mastering the correct picking method is very important. The correct method is to pick the flower buds before they open, starting from the outer edges and moving to the center, from bottom to top. This method not only increases picking speed but also ensures a clean pick, preventing flowers from opening and affecting yield and quality.
Picking time should be concentrated in the morning, ensuring that the flowers can be dried to about 70-80% by the day. For those without drying conditions, flowers picked in the afternoon should be spread out to dry, preventing them from overheating and turning black overnight. All the white needle flowers should be picked the same day, as any left unharvested by 4 or 5 PM will open, affecting the yield and quality of honeysuckle.
The content shared above about when honeysuckle blooms and the flowering time of honeysuckle can be used as a reference by green plant enthusiasts.