Major Wheeler Honeysuckle planted in raised bed garden

Question

Due to rocky soil, Honeysuckle was planted against trellis and fence with roots in a small trench. Earth was pile in front and on 2 sides. All was enclosed with boards & a 5 gallon bucket placed in the raised bed. When 5 gal bucket is filled with water, do plants roots go deeper? It is watered almost every day. New foliage growing but no blooms.

Answer 1

Plant roots will, actually, travel deeper in search of water. If the top remains just a little dry in between watering, it will force roots to seek water from deeper portions in the soil. Watering too frequently can create a very shallow root system.

Now, as to why it is not flowering… This is more than likely due to there being too much nitrogen in your soil. This can happen when using slow release fertilizer. There is no control over the length of time that the nitrogen will be released.

You can correct this by adding fertilizers high in phosphorous and potassium, but that have no nitrogen. This will raise the pH and make these elements more available to the plants.

This article will help you on the care of lonicera: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/honeysuckle/honeysuckle-vine-care.htm