Edible variety of honeysuckle Nymph

Nymph is a variety of edible honeysuckle that adapts well to different climatic conditions and is suitable for cultivation in all regions. Among its positive qualities are the pleasant dessert taste of berries, frost resistance and a long productive period. We will tell you about the rules of planting, growing and agrotechnical requirements of Nymph.

Description of the variety

The honeysuckle variety Nymph is the result of the work of domestic breeders. The berries contain 14.3% dry matter, 8.8% sugars, 2.1% acid, 54 mg of ascorbic acid.

Origin and development

The variety was bred in 1992 at the Pavlovsk experimental station of the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Growing named after. N.I. Vavilova as a result of free pollination of the Leningrad Giant honeysuckle. Included in the State Register of Russia in 1998.

Reference. Other names for Nymphs are Gamma, No. 778−11.

Characteristics

This is a slightly spreading, vigorous (up to 2.5 m high) bush with powerful, erect, pubescent young shoots of light green color. Old branches are woody, covered with flaky brown-sandy bark.

The leaf blades are large, elongated-oval, with a wide-rounded base, dark green and covered with light, hard fluff. During flowering, large pale bell-shaped flowers are formed in the leaf axils, collected in inflorescences of 2 pieces.

The berries have a lumpy surface, medium size, weigh 0.8–1.1 g, and have an elongated spindle shape. They are covered with a medium-thick blue skin that looks bluish due to a waxy coating. The pulp is fibrous, with a pleasant aroma and sweet taste with a spicy bitterness. Tasting score: 4.7 points.

Features of application

The fruits of Nympha are universally used: they are dried, frozen, used to prepare sherbets, fruit drinks, compotes, jams and preserves, and added to desserts and baked goods.

Ripening period, yield and fruiting

This is a mid-early variety - the harvest ripens in mid-late June. The bushes begin to bear fruit 3 years after planting and remain productive for 25–30 years.

The average yield is 1.3–2 kg per bush, with industrial cultivation - 37 c/ha.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The shrub is resistant to diseases and pests, but if agrotechnical requirements are violated, it is affected by sooty fungus, powdery mildew, tubercularosis, and damaged by scale insects and honeysuckle mites.

Resistance to cold and drought

Nymph is a frost-resistant honeysuckle. Shoots tolerate drops in air temperature down to -50°C, roots - down to -40°C, and buds, flowers and ovaries do not die during return frosts down to -6...-8°C.

The variety does not tolerate drought well: lack of moisture leads to a slowdown in the development of bushes, a decrease in the quality and quantity of the harvest. Waterlogging of the soil provokes rotting of the roots and creates a favorable environment for powdery mildew.

Growing regions

Due to its high frost resistance and ability to adapt to different climatic conditions, the variety is suitable for cultivation in all regions of Russia.

Advantages and disadvantages

Nymph's advantages:

• excellent taste and rich chemical composition of berries;
• possibility of growing in all regions;
• long productive period;
• frost resistance;
• stable yield;
• good immunity;
• lack of tendency to fruit shedding;
• ease of care;
• decorativeness of bushes.

Disadvantages of the variety:

• low yield;
• the need for regular crown thinning;
• need in pollinating varieties;
• demands on the level of soil moisture.

Differences from other varieties and hybrids

A comparison of Nymphs with other mid-early honeysuckle varieties is presented in the table:

Agricultural technology

In order for the bushes to develop well and bear fruit consistently, it is important to choose the right place and timing of planting, and to comply with the agrotechnical requirements of the crop.

Choosing a place in the garden and preparing holes

For landing, Nymphs choose a well-lit place, protected from cold gusty winds, located on a hill or plain.

Reference. Lack of light leads to a decrease in yield and a deterioration in the taste of berries.

The permissible depth of groundwater is at least 1.5 m.

Preparing for landing

When choosing planting material, preference is given to 2- or 3-year-old seedlings with a developed root system and several strong flexible branches with identical internodes. An hour before planting, the roots are soaked in a solution of a growth stimulator (“Kornevine”, “Heteroauxine”).

Site preparation begins six months before planting. The soil is dug up to a depth of 40 cm and spilled with a solution of copper sulfate (1 liter per 10 m²). After 7–10 days, re-digging is carried out to a depth of 20 cm and 10 kg of sand, 10 kg of peat and 20 kg of manure are added per 1 m² of area.A week before planting the seedlings, the area is dug up again to a depth of 20 cm.

Soil requirements

Bushes grow and bear fruit best in light, loose and fertile soil with good aeration, moisture permeability and low or neutral acidity. The best option is loam.

When grown in sandstones, the yield decreases, and soil acidification leads to the slow death of the bushes.

Dates, scheme and rules of planting

The optimal time for planting Nymphs is from the end of August to the end of October. Due to the early growing season, spring planting is undesirable. Carrying it out using the transshipment method is permissible only in the southern regions in the absence of snow (until March 15).

Planting pattern:

1. In the prepared area, dig planting holes measuring 40x40x40 cm.
2. Place a drainage layer of pebbles or expanded clay on the bottom of each.
3. Sprinkle a nutritious soil mixture on top (1/2 of the excavated soil, 20 liters of humus or compost, 60 g of superphosphate and 500 g of ash or chalk) and form a mound.
4. Place the seedling on it, carefully spreading the roots along the slopes.
5. Fill the voids with soil so that the growth bud is 5 cm below the soil level and compact it.
6. Water the plantings at the rate of 10 liters of water for each bush.
7. Mulch the tree trunk circle with hay, peat or humus.

The distance between the bushes should be 2 m, the row spacing should be 3 m.

Features of cultivation

On average, plants are watered 4–6 times per season, spending 10–15 liters of water on each bush. During the dry period, especially if it occurs during the flowering and berry formation phases, the frequency of watering is increased.

Reference. In southern regions with hot and dry summers, watering is carried out every 7–10 days, using 8–10 liters of water per 1 m².

After each watering or rain, the soil is loosened to a depth of no more than 7 cm to avoid the formation of a dry crust on the surface of the soil and to improve its moisture and air permeability. To inhibit the growth of weeds and preserve moisture, the soil is mulched with hay, straw, sawdust or humus.

Fertilizers begin to be applied 3 years after planting according to the following scheme:

• before the buds swell - ammonium nitrate (30 g per 10 liters of water);
• when buds open - a bucket of compost diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio;
• at the end of August - 400 g of ash;
• before the onset of cold weather - 5 kg of compost, 100 g of ash and 40 g of superphosphate per 1 m².

Bushes under 15 years old only need sanitary pruning: broken, dry shoots that thicken the crown and lying on the ground are removed. For plants aged 15–20 years, thinning pruning is carried out, gradually removing old skeletal branches. When honeysuckle reaches 20 years, it is completely cut off at a height of 15–20 cm to prolong fruiting for another 5–10 years.

Pollinators

Nymph is a self-sterile honeysuckle. To obtain a harvest, suitable pollinating varieties are planted nearby: Amphora, Azure, Izbornnitsa, Pavlovskaya, In Memory of Gidzyuk, Morena, Viola, Blue Spindle, Leningrad Giant.

Disease and pest control

Diseases and pests that are dangerous for Nymph if the rules for its cultivation are not followed are described in the table.

Preparing for winter

Due to the high degree of frost resistance, the bushes do not require additional shelter. Preparation for winter consists of carrying out moisture-recharging irrigation at the end of September - beginning of October (20 liters of water per 1 m²) and mulching the tree trunk circle with compost to a height of 5 cm.

Reproduction

Honeysuckle Nymph is most often propagated vegetatively:

1. Dividing the bush. Mature, well developed plant dig up and divide into several parts so that each contains skeletal branches, young shoots and part of the rhizome. The cuttings are planted in a prepared place, having previously shortened the branches to 45 cm.
2. Lignified cuttings. At the end of the season, the branches of the annual growth are cut into pieces 15 cm long and put into the basement, and at the end of March they are planted in a greenhouse, buried in the ground so that 1 bud remains above the surface. After 3-4 weeks, roots will appear on the cuttings.
3. Green cuttings. At the beginning of summer, the shoots are cut into pieces 12 cm long, planted in containers filled with nutritious soil mixture, watered and covered with polyethylene, regularly ventilating and moistening the substrate.The cuttings take root within a month and are planted in a permanent place the following fall.
4. Apical layering. A furrow is dug under the bush and the tip of the shoot is buried in it, securing it with a bracket. The cuttings take root after 4 weeks. In the autumn of the next season, it is separated from the mother bush and planted in a permanent place.

Seed propagation is used only for selection experiments.

Difficulties in growing

Problems that arise when cultivating Nymphs:

1. Pest attacks. The bushes are sprayed with insecticides and biological products, for example, Fitoverm or Iskra-Bio.
2. Powdery mildew damage due to excessive watering or heavy rainfall. Plantings are treated with fungicidal preparations (Topsin-M, Fundazol).
3. Reduced number of ovaries, low yield as a result of drought. Increase the frequency and abundance of watering, and mulch the soil in the tree trunk circle.

Harvesting

Depending on climatic conditions, the harvest ripens in mid or late June. The berries begin to be picked 7–10 days after they turn blue. They spread a film on the ground and shake the bushes. The remaining fruits are removed by hand.

The harvest is immediately sorted and damaged specimens are disposed of. Nymph berries are stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2-3 days.

Tips and reviews from experienced gardeners

Gardeners recommend:

• when planting, alternate Nymph seedlings with pollinating varieties in a row every 2 m;
• To improve pollination and attract bees during budding, spray honeysuckle with sugar or honey solution (2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water).

Reviews about the variety are positive.

Marina, Ufa: “I really like the variety: it bears fruit consistently, the berries are delicious. An indisputable advantage is that the harvest is easy to harvest, because the bushes are not too dense, and the berries are formed almost in clusters. I propagate Nympha by apical layering.”

Lilia, Kazan: “I have been growing honeysuckle for a long time, and different varieties. Nymph is one of my favorites. The berries are not very large, but incredibly tasty: sweet, with a slight bitterness. Our whole family enjoys eating them fresh, and I also dry them and make jam from them.”

Conclusion

The Nymph honeysuckle variety is suitable for cultivation in all regions and is characterized by a high degree of frost resistance, a long productive period, stable yield and ease of care. Among its disadvantages are self-sterility and demands on soil moisture.