Honeysuckle variety Bazhovskaya

The South Ural Research Institute of Horticulture and Potato Growing, located in the suburbs of Chelyabinsk, has been counting its history since the 30s of the last century. Since then, many, many varieties, including more than a dozen honeysuckles, have received a start in life in his nurseries. Bazhovskaya is one of them, and even the name that recalls the bright image of the children's writer Pavel Bazhov sets us up for a positive perception of this variety.

History of creation

Our heroine can be considered quite old, considering that good varieties of "northern berries" appeared in Russia towards the end of the last century. Bazhovskaya was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation in 1999, and it is known about its “pedigree” that among its predecessors there are both honeysuckle from Altai and a group of Kamchatka forms.

Description

The described variety of the Ural breeders belongs to medium-sized ones, with a height of about one and a half meters. The bush is wide, spreading, in good conditions it can look tall. Many long, but thin shoots, slightly curving, create a beautiful crown. This is facilitated by large dark green lanceolate leaves.

Ripe berries are barrel-shaped and dark blue in color. They are usually medium in size, about 1 gram each, although larger ones are often found. Everyone, both experts and consumers, notes the excellent taste of the fruit, completely devoid of the bitterness inherent in honeysuckle. Probably, excellent tasting qualities are the best property of Bazhovskaya, its distinctive trademark.

The variety belongs to the group of early-growing, full ripening of the berries occurs approximately one and a half months after flowering. The yield is average, or even low, no more than 1.5 kg per bush. In addition, the berries are prone to shedding, it is better to collect them not all at once, but 2-3 times per season.

Features of agricultural technology and use

Actually, we have already touched on these issues. Due to the high crumbling capacity and relatively low yield, this variety is not particularly fond of farmers, owners of large berry plantations. At the same time, it is adored by summer residents and private owners for its excellent taste characteristics.

Given the lack of self-fertility, honeysuckle of other varieties should be planted next to Bazhovskaya. The following are especially suitable as pollinators: Sineglazka, Long-fruited, Enchantress... Other varieties of this culture will do as well.

Cultivation requires light or slightly shaded areas with well-drained soil. It is noted that although the variety belongs to drought-resistant, during flowering and at the beginning of fruit setting, the ground under the bushes needs to be well moistened.

Important! We have already said that the berries of this honeysuckle are prone to arbitrary dropping. To avoid this, it is important to collect the very first ripe fruits in time - they crumble faster than ripening a little later.

Bazhovskaya firmly endures winter frosts. At the same time, it shows good results in the more southern regions of Central Russia, due to increased drought resistance.

In general, this is a picky culture that requires a minimum of attention. Among the necessary agronomic techniques - regular spring pruning of thin shoots, which tend to thicken the bush.

Once every 2-3 years, it is useful to add humus to the trunk circle, as well as potash and phosphorus fertilizers. At the same time, do not get carried away with the introduction of excess nitrogen - this will lead to abundant growth of shoots to the detriment of the harvest.

The fruits of this honeysuckle are versatile. They are good both fresh and for processing, as raw materials for jams, compotes and preserves.