I live in northern MI and could sure use some good advice about taking care of honeysuckles (goldflame). I planted several plants according to the potting instructions about 3-4 years ago. They have a southern exposure, are planted in sandy soil and each fall I put cedar chips around to keep from freezing. They are not thriving. In fact they look sick. They are planted close to a solid wooden fence and I put wire vertically on the fence so they could climb. I planted them on ground above the fence as well as at the bottom of the fence which I probably should be referring to as a wooden wall instead of a fence. I can't bear to give up, in fact I just bought another one to replace some that totally died. I need to find out first of all if it was a mistake to plant both above and below. I will transplant if this was a mistake. I figured they would grow both ways, meet and mingle, but no such luck. I also need to know how to keep them healthy and what do I do about the dead wood. When do I prune? How do I prune? Why must I prune? What should I be feeding them; this may be part of their problem because I am not supposed to use fertilizer within 1,000 ft from the lake (watershed). I am in FL from Oct - May, so I was hoping to do something to help them out before I leave. Can anyone help me? Thanks for listening.
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BobbyAnn, Welcome to the Garden Helper. You are in the right place for tried and true help. Unfortunately, I am not the one to help you. I would suggest that you hang around, or keep checking back, as I know we have some northern gardeners who will have your answers. In the meantime, check out the site and read the posts, we are a friendly bunch of folks around here!
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I'm going to bring this back up to the top for bobbyann, she's looking for some info on growing this type of plant. Anyone have any info for her?? She's looking for a couple other plants too, she's posted questions on them in other places.
I don't grow them to give her enough help, Got to do some reading on them, but actually growing them helps alot more.
Thanks!! Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
You mention that you have your goldflame honeysuckle planted in a southern location. Goldflame likes a part sun location which would be 4 to 6 hours of sun. You also say that they are planted in sand. They like a humus rich soil. I would suggest that you add 2" of compost each fall and spring on top of the soil. Just pull back any cedar mulch, apply the compost and put the mulch on top again. That would be all the fertilizer they need.
You can prune dead wood at any time. The best time to prune to control growth would be in late winter - late Feb to mid March since it blooms on new wood. You don't need to prune any other time unless you want to reshape. Don't prune in fall as you might stimulate new growth that wouldn't have time to harden off before frost. If you won't be back in town until May, you might want to wait until then, but bloom with be delayed. You also don't need additonal fertilizer if you topdress with compost.
I would suggest that you make sure they get adequate water until the ground freezes. If there isn't an inch of rain a week, water deeply just once a week.
Hope this helps, Newt
* * * * When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. Plants: 271 | From: Maryland zone 7 | Registered: Sep 2002
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