The Amur honeysuckle variety Fortuna is an early-ripening garden culture with a conical crown shape and a medium-sized, moderately spreading bush. The plant is characterized by frost resistance and sun-loving nature, which allows it to be successfully grown in various climatic conditions. For optimal growth and fruiting, Fortuna prefers loamy, brown earth, and chernozem soils. The berry ripening period falls in June, making this variety one of the first in the season.
Fortuna honeysuckle berries have a medium size, a mass of about 0.8 g, and an ellipsoid shape with pointed edges. Their color is dark blue, almost black, with a characteristic blue bloom. The skin is thin, and the taste is sour-sweet and dessert-like, making the fruits attractive for fresh consumption. The fruits have weak shakability, however, they do not store for long after harvesting, so timely use of the harvest is recommended. The fruits contain an increased amount of vitamin C, which enhances their nutritional value.
The Fortuna variety is self-sterile and requires cross-pollination, for which the varieties Sy nichka and Moskovskaya 23 are well suited. The yield per bush is about 2 kg. The plant is susceptible to certain diseases, such as powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, and anthracnose, as well as pests – spider mites, aphids, and flea beetles. For successful cultivation, these factors must be taken into account and preventive measures should be carried out.
