Medicinal honeysuckle cultivation points
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Honeysuckle, commonly known as Yinhua or Erhua, is widely distributed across the country. It comes in various varieties, with Guangdong being renowned for its silver flowers. As a perennial evergreen shrub from the Caprifoliaceae family, it is cultivated for its buds, flowers, and leaves. Honeysuckle has strong detoxifying properties and exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects. With increasing demand for medicinal honeysuckle, the price of dried flowers reached 32–49 yuan per kilogram in 2000, and there was still potential for further price increases after China joined the WTO. Honeysuckle is highly adaptable, thriving in drought, heat, and various soil types, although it grows more vigorously in fertile soils, leading to higher yields.
After 3–5 years of planting, each plant can produce about 1–1.5 kilograms of dried flowers per mu, yielding 400–450 kilograms per mu. At an insured price of 20 yuan per kilogram, the output value reaches 4,000–4,500 yuan per mu. The following section outlines the cultivation techniques for Lonicera japonica.
First, propagation methods include seed and cutting propagation. Seed propagation involves collecting mature black fruits between October and November. Seeds should be washed immediately or allowed to dry until February–March for germination. (Note: seeds must not be dried.) Alternatively, cuttings can be used for propagation, either through seedlings or direct planting.
Cutting seedlings are typically done in early spring before sprouting or in autumn from September to October, with higher survival rates in spring. A well-drained, fertile sandy soil near a water source is ideal for the seedbed. After preparing the bed by digging deeply and mixing in organic fertilizer, cuttings are taken from healthy 1–2-year-old shoots, approximately 20 cm long. Lower leaves are removed, and cuttings are dipped in a solution of indole butyric acid (500–800 times dilution) for 3–5 seconds. They are then planted in horizontal grooves spaced 27–30 cm apart, with 10–15 cuttings per groove, inserting two-thirds into the soil. Regular watering and protection are essential. Roots typically form within half a month. During the growing season, weeding, shallow loosening of the soil, and application of nitrogen-rich fertilizers or manure are necessary. Seedlings can be transplanted in October–November or early spring, with about 300–400 seedlings per mu.
Direct cutting is similar, with planting holes dug 1.3–1.6 meters apart, measuring 35×35×30 cm. Three to four cuttings are inserted at an angle into each hole.
Second, field planting involves selecting suitable land such as mountainous areas, wastelands, field ridges, or land around houses. No extensive land preparation is needed; row spacing can be flexible. Holes are dug 1.6×1.6 meters apart, with dimensions of 40×40×30 cm. Each hole should be enriched with 10–20 kg of compost, one or two peanuts, and 0.5 kg of superphosphate. Transplanting is best done before bud emergence in early spring or late autumn, typically from late March to mid-April in spring, and August in autumn. Two to three plants are placed in each hole, and the soil is compacted and watered.
Third, field management includes regular weeding, fertilization, topping, pruning, and flower protection. Weeding is done three times annually—once after new leaves appear, once in July–August, and once before frost. Fertilization is critical for high yield, with five applications throughout the year. The first application promotes vigorous growth, the second enhances flowering, and subsequent applications support recovery and winter resilience. Topping encourages multiple branches, improving yield and flower production. Pruning during winter or early spring helps maintain plant health and increase flowering. Flower protection measures, such as using a diluted solution of dimethoate and human urine, help prevent flower drop during drought or heavy rain.
Fourth, pest control focuses on leaf spot, aphids, and thrips. Field management, including proper fertilization and litter removal, helps reduce disease incidence. Bordeaux mixture or zineb solutions can be sprayed in May. Aphids are controlled with dimethoate or dichlorvos, while thrips can be managed with botanical extracts or biological pesticides. Pesticide use should stop 2–3 weeks before flowering to ensure safety.
By following these techniques, farmers can achieve high-quality and high-yield honeysuckle cultivation.