Unpretentious frost-resistant variety of honeysuckle "Morena"

Description of the honeysuckle variety Morena

Morena is a variety of honeysuckle whose edible berries grow on bushes. Suitable for growing in cold climates.

The plant is easy to care for and quite resistant to diseases and insects. Over the years, it has become a favorite among gardeners and has become one of the most common shrubs in private gardens.

Honeysuckle Morena

Origin and development

By crossing the varieties of Kamchatka honeysuckle and Turchaninov, a new one was obtained - Morena. It performed well at low temperatures - the plants developed well and produced large berries with a dessert taste.

Breeding history

Is of Russian origin. It was bred in the city of St. Petersburg, thanks to the efforts of breeders A. OV. Kondrikova and I.N. Plekhanova at the Vavilov Research Center.

Characteristics, description of appearance, taste

The bush grows up to 170 cm in length and has the shape of a ball. Young branches are twisting, thin, flexible, greenish-brown in color. The leaves are large, lanceolate, slightly bent in the middle, bright green. The crown density is average.

Important! Due to its beautiful appearance, Morena is often used in landscape design.

The berries are large in size, oblong in shape, up to 3 cm long, weighing up to 1.0-1.2 g. The color is blue, with a dense waxy coating, which is why the fruits appear blue. The surface of the berry is uneven. The fruits have a dense skin, which allows the harvest to be transported over considerable distances.

The taste is sweet and sour, without bitterness, the aroma is weak. The variety is classified as a dessert variety. Rated by tasters 4.5 points out of 5 possible.

Features of the use of the variety

Morena berries have good taste and contain many microelements and vitamins. Ideal for making jam, compotes and other preparations. It is also useful to eat it fresh. You can grind it with sugar and add it to fruit drinks and cocktails.

Suitable for freezing. After defrosting, they do not leak and retain their shape. Can be dried and added to tea.

Fresh fruits contain:

• pectin;
• organic substances, acids;
• iron, copper;
• iodine;
• phosphorus;
• potassium;
• silicon;
• zinc;
• sodium, calcium.

Important! 100 g of Morena honeysuckle contains 54 mg of ascorbic acid.

Productivity and fruiting

Fruiting lasts until the end of September, with proper care - until the first half of October. Productivity is assessed as low. On average, one bush produces from 1.5 to 3 kg of fruit. The berries are collected in 2-3 doses, every other day. After planting the plant, ripening of the crop begins after 2 years and then continues annually.

Important! The berries do not last long - 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

Ripening period

They belong to the mid-early category. The first fruits appear in mid-June, early July. The ripening period of fruits mainly depends on the availability of sunlight. Honeysuckle flowers easily tolerate frosts from -6 to -7°C.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The vast majority of infections are not scary for Morena, who has Kamchatka roots. In damp and cold summers or with improper care, the plant can be affected by fungal diseases such as:

• Rust. With insufficient watering, poor feeding. It appears in the form of pustules of various shapes on the leaves of the plant, the color of rust. After their destruction, a fine powder of identical color spills out. Treated with drugs containing sulfur: Cumulus, Strobi, Polyram, etc.
• Powdery mildew. The bush becomes covered with white spots, on which drops of liquid appear over time. It is treated with a wide range of drugs: Raek, Topsin, Fundazim, Fundazol, etc.

Dangerous pests:

• whitefly, aphids, spider mites - Actellik and Rogor preparations;
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• scale insect, leaf roller - various insecticides.

Treatment with products is carried out 2-3 times with a two-week interval.

Attention! During the fruiting period, treating with fungicides is strictly prohibited. It is necessary to use biological preparations or folk remedies (herbal infusions with the addition of soap, ash, formulations with tobacco, hot pepper).

Resistance to cold and drought

The winter hardiness of the variety is above average. Without shelter, the bush can withstand frost down to -35°C Celsius.

In dry seasons, sufficient watering of the plant is necessary - up to 25-30 liters for each bush.

For which regions is it best suited, climate requirements?

The variety is considered one of the best for cultivation in the North-West of the Russian Federation. It also feels great in any other territory of Russia. In 1995, it was included in the State Register of Selection Achievements for all regions.

Morena Landing

Honeysuckle is unpretentious and grows even on poor clay and rocky soils. But large and tasty berries can be obtained if you choose a sunny place for it and fertilize the soil. The best periods for planting: spring, before the buds open, and autumn, a month before the onset of cold weather.

Video: history of honeysuckle, benefits of its berries, planting and care

Landing rules:

1. The planting pattern for vigorous Morena is 2 meters between bushes and 2–3 meters in a row.
2. The parameters of the planting hole are 50 cm in diameter and 50 cm in depth.
3. Pour a bucket of humus or compost into the hole, add 100 g of double superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulfate. Mix all this inside the pit and make a mound out of the resulting mixture.
4. Place the seedling in the center of the hole, spread the roots along the slopes of the mound.
5. Cover with soil removed during digging. Deepen the root collar by 3 cm.
6. Lightly compact the soil around the seedling, make a hole and pour a bucket of water.
7. Mulch or cover with dry soil.

Planting on a mound inside a planting hole: the seedling is located in the center, its roots are spread along the slopes of the mound, you need to fill it with soil taken out from above

In one place, honeysuckle can grow and bear fruit well for 20–25 years.

The main advantages and disadvantages of the Morena honeysuckle variety

Main advantages:

• constant yield indicator;
• frost resistance;
• fairly large fruit size;
• ease of care;
• pleasant dessert taste;
• possibility of cultivation in any region of the country;
• increased content of vitamins and microelements in the berry;
• resistance to diseases and pests;
• minimal fruit shedding;
• early ripening.

The most significant disadvantages:

• mandatory presence of pollinators;
• low yield.

Difference from other varieties

In comparison with other species, Morena honeysuckle is definitely inferior in frost resistance to a variety like Blue Spindle, which can withstand cold temperatures down to -45°C. In terms of taste, there are also berries that are ahead of Morena on the rating scale. For example, Gzhelskaya and Baykalovskaya scored 4.8 points, Sibiryachka and Strezhevchanka - 4.9.

The fruits of the Bachar Giant are three times larger in size than the Morena berries. But still, an impressive number of positive properties and reliability in cultivation, proven by many years of experience, make Morena a worthy participant among the whole variety of honeysuckle varieties.

Botanical description

Botanical description of the culture:

• the bush is large, in comparison with other varieties, reaches a height of 1.2–1.4 m, less often 1.8–2 m;
• the crown is massive, highly thickened, and has the shape of a regular ellipse;
• shoots are thin, without pubescence, young shoots are colored light green, old shoots are brick brown;
• on old growths the bark peels off;
• the foliage has the shape of a regular oval, pointed at the ends, and green;
• flowers are small, almost colorless, formed in the leaf axils of 2 pieces;
• berries are medium-sized, weighing 0.75–0.8 g, spindle-shaped;
• the fruit is colored inky purple, covered with a bluish coating, which gives it a blue tint.

Agricultural technology

Let's look at the features of growing the Morena variety.

To plant honeysuckle, you need to choose a place that is sufficiently illuminated by the sun. If you choose the shady side, the plant will also develop and bear fruit, but the loss of yield will be colossal. You should not plant Morena in a draft, or in places with increased stagnation of moisture.

Preparing for landing

When purchasing seedlings, pay attention to their appearance. A healthy plant meets a number of criteria:

• elastic shoots;
• identical internodes;
• flaky bark is normal;
• root system without damage;
• unshortened shoots;
• absence of mold and rot;
• fresh and pleasant smell from the plant.

Soil requirement

It is necessary to plant in low-acid soils, which must be loose and nutritious. It is worth enriching the soil with organic fertilizers before planting.

Important! Do not plant in acidic soil. To reduce acidity, dolomite flour or lime is added to the hole.

Dates, scheme and rules of planting

The best time is autumn or end of summer. Ideally the last week of September. This way the bush will have time to take root well and bud by spring.

Algorithm for planting honeysuckle:

1. Divide the area into rows, 2-3 m apart.
2. Determine a place for each plant at a distance of 1.5-2 m.
3. Dig a place for planting, with a diameter of 40-45 cm for each bush.
4. Pour water into the hole and wait until completely absorbed.
5. Pour manure or compost into the prepared hole, about 10 liters. You can add potassium sulfate or superphosphate.
6. Mix the soil with fertilizer and form a small mound.
7. Place the plant in the hole, spreading the roots over the surface of the mound.
8. Sprinkle soil on top, deepening the root collar by 3-5 cm.
9. Compact the soil.
10. Water the plant - 10 liters of water.
11. Sprinkle the top with dry soil.

Important! You should not shorten the branches before planting - this procedure is fraught with poor survival of the plant.

Features of cultivation

The first two years do not feed, since the fertilizers applied during planting are sufficient for a young plant. In early spring, it is recommended to water the bush with a solution of urea or ammonium nitrate.

During active growth, systematic watering is necessary so that the area around the trunk does not dry out. Loosening the soil to 5-8 cm in depth also has a beneficial effect, to provide oxygen access to the root system.

Nuances of care

Top dressing

It must be done regularly, after 3 years from the date of planting.

• The growing season is early spring. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied by scattering in the root zone. For good development of flowers, leaves, shoots.
• The period after harvest. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to restore strength, laying the groundwork for a good future berry picking.
• The period of flower formation. Once every 3 years or annually on poor soils. Compost and humus (bucket) for each bush. Manure and bird droppings are also suitable.

Trimming

Produced depending on the age of the bush.

• From 5 to 15 years, broken, diseased, dried out branches growing inward are pruned.
• From 15 to 20, old branches are cut out to renew the bush.
• After the 20th year, a decrease in yield occurs. All branches are removed down to stumps, 15-20 cm high. This procedure rejuvenates the plant and it can bear fruit for another 5-10 years.

Pollinators

Self-sterile hybrid. For a good harvest, pollinating varieties are planted next to the bush:

• Viola;
• Amphora;
• Malvina;
• Nymph;
• Blue bird;
• Blue spindle.

Attention! Pollinators should have identical flowering times to Morena.

Preparing for winter

Morena is a frost-resistant crop that does not require additional shelter for the winter. Even at -30°C the bush does not need to be covered. Bred in harsh climates and adapted to it.

Reproduction

Best ways:

• By dividing bushes. A young bush is obtained from the central root by separating young roots with shoots.
• Using layering. The branch is sprinkled with earth, and as the roots form, it is carefully separated from the main bush.

Honeysuckle care

In temperate climates, care for Morena will be minimal. It consists of:

• timely watering. You can additionally water the shrub when there has been no precipitation for a long time and the soil has dried to a depth of 4-5 cm. Cool water is used for watering. It is poured into the groove so that it reaches the roots and does not spread over the area. After the water is absorbed into the soil, the soil is loosened;
• additional fertilizing. The first 2-3 years after the start of cultivation, fertilization is not required. When planting seedlings, nutritious soil containing organic elements is laid, so their quantity will last for a couple of years. then the composition of the soil is depleted from watering, and the need for additional nutrition appears. At the beginning of the growing season, honeysuckle is fed with nitrogen fertilizers. After harvesting or at the end of fruiting, phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen are added, and fertilizing is repeated at the end of autumn;
• pest control treatments. Moraines are resistant to aphid attacks, but scale insects and leaf roller butterflies pose a danger to the crop. They attack shrubs with warming, and the damage from them can be colossal, even leading to the death of the crop. To combat and as preventive measures, plantings are treated with insecticides and biological products. They kill larvae and adults, so honeysuckle will not be threatened. During fruiting of berries, it is better to refrain from processing or use folk remedies. Gardeners recommend spraying the crop with garlic or onion infusion with laundry soap.

The berries on the branches ripen evenly and uniformly. The first fruits appear in the second half of June. Harvesting is carried out after full ripening; unripe honeysuckle has a more sour taste. The harvest is harvested every 3-5 days. Then the berries are washed and processed. If processing is not planned in the near future, then store unwashed honeysuckle in a cool place.

On a note!

Ripe honeysuckle crushes easily in your hands, so you should not allow the fruits to become overripe, otherwise it will be difficult to collect them.

Difficulties in growing

This variety of honeysuckle is easy to care for and does not require special conditions for planting.

It is enough to follow some rules necessary for the proper growth and development of the plant:

• plant the plant on the sunny side, without drafts;
• plant pollinating bushes nearby on the windward side;
• apply all necessary fertilizers in a timely manner;
• trim bushes on time.

History of selection

The variety in question can be found in specialized nurseries under the name “2-24”. It was brought out back in Soviet times, at the Siberian Horticulture Research Institute named after. M. A. Lisavenko. The culture was obtained due to a spontaneous mutation of the plant as a result of cross-pollination of Kamchatka honeysuckle. The variety was included in the State Register in 1989. Recommended for cultivation in the Northwestern region.

Did you know? Due to the fact that the honeysuckle bark peels off and lags behind the trunk, it is popularly called “shameless.”

Tips and reviews from experienced gardeners about the variety

Ekaterina, Voronezh: “Morena honeysuckle grows in my garden along with pollinating bushes - Kamchadalka and Long-fruited. The plant has grown to 140 cm. I blame the climate for being too warm. And the berry tastes very tasty and sweet.”

Elena, Yekaterinburg: “Of all 10 varieties of honeysuckle, Morena is the most juicy and pleasant to the taste. It tolerates winter very well. This summer was dry and hot, but my Morena pleased me with a rich harvest of delicious berries.”

Harvesting and transportation, keeping quality of berries

The Morena honeysuckle variety has a short harvest period, so if you see that its fruits are already ripe, then hurry up to collect them. Many gardeners spread a film under the bushes onto which the berries fall, making them easy to pick. As for transportation, the fruits of this variety do not tolerate transportation over long distances.

It is also necessary to take into account the fact that the berries do not last long. They can be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than 2-3 days, which cannot be said about the freezer: they can lie in it for several months without losing their taste and shape.

The large-fruited honeysuckle variety Morena has already received many positive reviews from gardeners in its short period of existence. It boasts large edible fruits and is easy to care for, making it one of the best varieties for beginners in gardening.

Reviews

★★★★★
Olga, 38 years old. 3 years ago I purchased the Blue Spindle honeysuckle bush.
During this time it has grown well. It requires virtually no maintenance, the ground around it is mulched with mown grass, and overwinters without shelter. Every year it pleases us with the earliest large berries. We eat them fresh and freeze them for the winter. Only the fruits must be collected on time, otherwise they will fall off. The Amphora honeysuckle bush grows for pollination. I am very pleased with the plant and plan to plant several more bushes. ★★★★★
Konstantin, 45 years old. I tried these berries for the first time at a friend’s dacha and was captivated by the taste.
The next year, I planted Blue Spindle honeysuckle on my plot. In the first year the plant did not develop very much, but in the second it began to grow. Now, within a radius, the bush reaches half a meter, and up to one and a half meters in height, and has a very decorative appearance. It bloomed profusely in the spring and there were many berries in June. They were collected every 2 days. We tried freezing them and making jam. A big plus is that the plant does not require care - it is enough to water it in the heat and remove weeds. I have never seen any diseases or pests on it. Hide

Add your review

Honeysuckle Blue spindle is a plant with minimal care requirements, rarely susceptible to disease or damage by pests, and winters well in severe frosts. The bush not only consistently produces high yields, but also decorates the area. Gardeners highly value the plant and are happy to plant it on their plots.

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Planting honeysuckle in open ground

Most varieties of honeysuckle cultivated in modern areas are unpretentious, but like all other berry bushes, growing honeysuckle requires compliance with certain rules.

1. Selection of seedlings . On sale you can find seedlings with open and closed root systems. It is better to give preference to 2-3 year old plants grown in special nurseries. Planting material purchased from a trusted manufacturer guarantees excellent varietal qualities, plant health and, as a result, a good harvest.
2. Open ground planting time . Honeysuckle seedlings with a closed root system, sold in containers, can be planted throughout the summer season from early spring to mid-October. Conventional bare-root seedlings are preferably planted before bud break, in early spring. You can postpone planting honeysuckle until September, but then there is a risk that the plants will not have time to get stronger and take root in the new place.
3. Location . Choose a place for planting honeysuckle that is well-lit, although this plant can grow well in partial shade, but to increase productivity it is best to prepare a bright corner where the bush will be protected from wind and drafts. Do not forget that honeysuckle branches are quite fragile and easily break from gusty winds. You can prepare a place for planting near a fence or near buildings. The honeysuckle bush can be planted in a lowland, but on condition that moisture does not accumulate there.
4. The soil . Loamy and sandy loamy fertile soils with a slightly acidic reaction are suitable for planting honeysuckle. If the soil in the area is acidified, you can add a little lime. Heavy clay soil is improved by adding sand. Add 1-1.5 buckets of compost, ash and 100-120 g of superphosphate to the fertile soil mixture. During planting, it is important to take care of drainage, so pebbles, crushed stone or expanded clay are poured into the bottom of the holes.

Diseases and pests

With high-quality care and pruning of thickening branches, honeysuckle is rarely damaged by diseases and parasites. Among the diseases dangerous to the plant are leaf spot, powdery mildew and tubercular disease. Since fruiting of honeysuckle begins very early, it is easier to carry out preventive treatments with fungicides and insecticides in the fall or spring, before flowering and fruit set, otherwise the berries will absorb toxins and become inedible.

Advice! If fungal diseases and harmful insects are detected, you should not treat the bushes of the plant with chemicals; it is best to use traditional methods. If the honeysuckle is infected by ants, aphids, false scale insects, leaf rollers and mites, then insecticide treatment can be done, but only after fruiting has ended.