Medicinal honeysuckle cultivation points
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Honeysuckle, commonly known as Yinhua or Erhua, is widely distributed across various regions of China. It comes in many varieties, with Guangdong being famous for its silver flower type. Honeysuckle is a perennial, evergreen shrub belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family, and it is cultivated primarily for its buds, flowers, and leaves. The plant has potent medicinal properties, including detoxification, broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects. Due to high demand, medicinal honeysuckle has become a valuable crop. In 2000, the price of dried honeysuckle flowers reached 32–49 yuan per kilogram, and with China’s accession to the WTO, there was still potential for further price increases.
Honeysuckle is adaptable and can thrive in a variety of soils, though it grows best in fertile, well-drained conditions. It is drought- and heat-resistant, making it an ideal crop for many regions. After 3–5 years of cultivation, each plant can yield about 1–1.5 kilograms of dried flowers per mu, with an average output value of 4,000–4,500 yuan. This makes honeysuckle a profitable agricultural option. Below are detailed cultivation techniques for Lonicera japonica.
**First, propagation methods include seed and cutting propagation.**
1. **Seed propagation**: Seeds are collected when the fruits turn black from October to November. They should be washed immediately or kept moist until the next February to March for germination. Drying the seeds is not recommended.
2. **Cutting propagation**: This can be done through cuttings or direct planting.
- **Cuttage seedlings**: Best done in early spring before new growth or in autumn from September to October. A well-drained, fertile sandy soil bed near water is ideal. Cuttings should come from healthy, 1–2-year-old shoots, about 20 cm long. Remove lower leaves and dip them in a 500–800 times solution of indole butyric acid for 3–5 seconds. Plant them in rows spaced 27–30 cm apart, inserting two-thirds of the cutting into the soil. Keep the soil moist and provide shade. Rooting usually occurs within a month. During the growing season, regular weeding and light fertilization with organic manure help promote healthy growth. Seedlings can be transplanted in October or early spring the following year, with 300–400 seedlings per mu.
- **Direct cutting**: Similar timing and cutting selection apply. Dig holes 1.3–1.6 meters apart, 35 × 35 × 30 cm in size, and insert 3–4 cuttings at an angle.
**Second, field transplanting**
Choose areas such as mountainous land, wasteland, field ridges, or the edges of houses. No major land preparation is needed. Dig holes 1.6 × 1.6 meters apart, 40 × 40 × 30 cm in size. Mix 10–20 kg of compost, a few peanuts, and 0.5 kg of superphosphate into the hole. Transplant before the spring or autumn sprouting periods, typically between late March and mid-April in spring, or August in autumn. Plant 2–3 cuttings per hole, compact the soil, and water thoroughly.
**Third, field management**
1. **Weeding and soil cultivation**: Three times a year—after new leaves appear, in July–August, and before frost in late autumn. Cultivate shallowly and protect the roots.
2. **Fertilization**: Apply five rounds annually. First, in early spring to promote strong growth. Second, before flowering to increase bloom. Third, after flowering to restore plant vitality. Fourth, after second flowering, and fifth, before winter. Use 10–20 kg of compost and 0.3–0.5 kg of superphosphate per acre. Fertilizer is applied around the base of the plant.
3. **Topping**: Prune new branches to encourage bushy growth. Leave 1–2 nodes on the main stem, remove excess branches, and continue this process on secondary and tertiary branches. This helps create a dense, productive shrub.
4. **Pruning**: Regular pruning in winter or early spring helps maintain good air circulation and light penetration. Remove weak, diseased, or overcrowded branches, and cut back leggy flowering stems to promote more effective flowering.
5. **Flower protection**: During dry or rainy seasons, use a mixture of 15 g dimethoate, 1 kg human urine, and 20 kg water to reduce flower drop.
**Fourth, pest control**
Common pests include leaf spot disease, aphids, and mites. Preventive measures include improving field management, using organic fertilizer, and removing debris. For leaf spot, spray 1:1:150 Bordeaux mixture or 65% zineb at 500–600 times. For aphids, use 40% dimethoate or 80% dichlorvos. For mite infestations, use 2.5% neem extract or biological pesticides like Bt. Avoid chemical sprays 2–3 weeks before flowering to ensure product safety.