Rhododendrons: planting and care in the open field, how to feed and prepare for winter

Planting and caring for rhododendrons in the open field have many features. First of all, it is important to choose the right place for growing this crop. In addition, it is necessary to water, fertilize, and trim in a timely manner. In order for the plant to grow and develop normally, it is recommended to protect it from diseases and pests. Equally important is the preparation of the bush for the winter.

Description

Rhododendron is a shrub or tree that belongs to the Heather family. Depending on the variety, crops are evergreen, deciduous or semi-deciduous.There are also annuals and perennials. All plants have a different shape of flowers, leaves, sizes, color of buds.

The flowers are characterized by superficial roots. They have many fibrous roots. Thanks to this, the culture can be easily moved to a new place. This helps her quickly adapt to other conditions.

The leaves of flowers are sessile or petiolate. They can have an ovoid or obovate shape, solid or serrate edges. The flowers form corymbose or racemose inflorescences. They can be pink, white, red and purple. Flowers are bell-shaped, tubular, funnel-shaped. After flowering is completed, a box with many seeds appears.

Properties

The plant has medicinal properties, which allows it to be used in medicine. The composition of some types of rhododendrons includes erikolin, andromedotoxin. They also contain arbutin, rhododendrin. Foliage includes ascorbic acid.

Due to the unique composition of the culture has analgesic, sedative, antipyretic effect. It also has diaphoretic and antibacterial properties. With the help of this culture, it is possible to remove excess fluid, cope with puffiness, heart palpitations, and reduce pressure.

However, the plant cannot be considered completely safe. Substances made on its basis are prohibited from being used by people with dangerous kidney pathologies and tissue death. They are also contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

Types and varieties

Today, many varieties of plants are known that have certain characteristics.

deciduous

A characteristic feature of such plants is the shedding of leaves for the winter. There are many cultures in this category.

Japanese

This plant has excellent decorative properties. This is a branched shrub that grows up to 2 meters. The leaves are green in color. The flowers differ in the shape of a bell and reach 8 centimeters. They may have an orange or red tint.

Fireworks

This is a fairly dense shrub that grows up to 1.8 meters. It has bright green leaves that turn yellow-red in autumn. The flowers are fiery red and large. In winter, the flower should be insulated.

Evergreens

Such plants do not shed foliage for the winter. Therefore, they remain decorative all year round.

Daurian

This evergreen plant can reach 2-4 meters. It has thin branches and small leaves. Flowering lasts 3 weeks. Bushes are decorated with purple-pink flowers. The plant has excellent frost resistance.

Adams

This is a branched shrub that reaches 50 centimeters in height. Its shoots are covered with glandular villi and dense leaves. The flowers are pink in color and form corymbose inflorescences.

Caucasian

This is a low plant that has creeping branches. Its foliage is oval in shape. The flowers are funnel-shaped and yellow in color.

Hybrid

This category includes hybrids that are grown in suburban areas. They have many varieties.

German cultivar Alfred

This evergreen crop reaches a height of 120 centimeters. The crown size is 1.5 meters. The bush is decorated with elongated dark green leaves. The plant is characterized by purple buds.

Blue Peter

This plant reaches 1.5 meters. The bush is characterized by a spreading crown and blue inflorescences. They are characterized by ruffled edges.

Jacksony

This plant reaches 2 meters. There is also a lower variety, which does not exceed 80 centimeters. The bush is decorated with elongated leathery leaves. The flowers are pink when they open, but then turn white.

Rose Marie

This plant grows up to 120 centimeters. The crown can grow up to 1.5 meters. The leaves are waxy and light green in color. The flowers are pale pink in color. In the center they have a purple tint.

Nova Zembla

This is a Dutch hybrid that can grow up to 3 meters. Shoots are directed almost vertically. The bush is decorated with large leathery leaves with a glossy texture. Large flowers reach a diameter of 6 centimeters. They have a red tint and a black spot.

Cunningham

This is a popular variety of Caucasian rhododendron that grows up to 2 meters. It has elongated leathery leaves. The flowers are white with a yellow-brown spot.

Frost resistant

In regions with a harsh climate, it is recommended to grow special varieties of rhododendrons that are resistant to frost.

Roseum Elegance

This is an evergreen crop that reaches a height of 3 meters. It is characterized by a dense and dense crown. The dark green foliage has a glossy texture. The flowers have a purple hue.

Nova Zembla

This is a beautiful hybrid that grows up to 2.4 meters in height. The flowers have a bright pink color and burgundy spots. They are shaped like a bell and form spherical inflorescences.

Grandiflorum

This is one of the older varieties. It is characterized by a spreading spherical crown and leathery leaves. The shrub is considered to be very frost tolerant and grows rapidly. It starts blooming in June. During this period, the bush is decorated with purple flowers.

Golden Lights

This is a deciduous variety of culture. The bushes are adorned with cone-shaped orange flowers that create an attractive contrast with the dark purple leaves. Flowering begins quite early - at the end of May.

White Lights

This is a deciduous plant that can tolerate frosts down to -42 degrees. In May, pink buds with small golden elements appear on the bushes. After a while they turn white.

Rosie Lights

Another deciduous crop that can withstand frosts down to -42 degrees. This bush is a decoration of any garden. In late spring or early summer, it is decorated with pink flowers.

Grandma

This variety belongs to the Japanese variety of the plant. The shrub is used to form borders. It is also used to make small hedges.

Impeditum Golden Lights

This is a deciduous rhododendron. Bushes have beautiful orange inflorescences. The culture begins to bloom at the end of May and easily withstands even the most severe frosts.

English Roseum

This plant easily withstands exposure to direct sunlight and frost. It is characterized by bright lilac-pink inflorescences, which are shaped like bells.

The crop thrives on moist, well-drained soil that contains a lot of humus.

Carence Mount

This is a showy plant that has a compact size and red-purple inflorescences. Leaves turn burgundy in autumn.

St. Helens

This is a deciduous crop that is highly resistant to frost. It is able to withstand temperatures down to -32 degrees. The plant is characterized by unusual salmon-pink flowers that are shaped like bells.

Karactacus

This plant has a wide crown. It grows quite slowly. The bush begins to bloom in May. At this time, the culture is decorated with purple-red inflorescences with a light center.

Permanent Elite

This is a small-leaved variety that has a compact size and is characterized by abundant flowering. The culture is able to withstand temperatures down to -32 degrees. The plant has crimson-pink buds.

Intermediate

This horticultural crop is a cross between a rusty and rough-haired rhododendron. It is medium in size and has lush and beautiful blooms.

Selection and site preparation

In order for the plant to grow and develop normally, it is important to carry out planting work correctly. In this case, there are many features to consider.

Requirements for a new location

The plant needs a site that is protected from drafts and has partial shade. It is best to plant the culture in an elevated place. In low places, the culture suffers from stagnant moisture and may die.

Choose neighbors

For a culture to grow and develop normally, it needs to choose the right neighbors.

Good

Rhododendron should be planted next to coniferous crops. It can be placed near spruces, pines or larches. It is also permissible to plant a flower near an apple, oak or pear tree.

Bad

Undesirable neighbors include maple, linden, birch. Willow, birch, elm also belong to such plants.

Soil and acidity

Rhododendron loves acidic soil. It is desirable that a sufficient amount of peat be present in its composition.

How to prepare soil mix for planting

If the soil has an undesirable composition, it can be changed. To prepare the optimal substrate, a mixture of peat, leafy soil and sand should be added to the recess. Sulfur should be used to acidify the earth.

Pick up time

The ideal time for planting is early spring. Also, the crop can be planted in early autumn.

Plant pattern

To plant a crop, it is worth putting drainage at the bottom of the recess and filling the hole halfway with the prepared substrate. If the seedling has open roots, they need to be straightened and placed in a hole. Then pour plenty of water on the bush. A seedling with closed roots is planted by transshipment.

Care

This plant needs systematic care. At the same time, loosening the soil is not recommended, as there is a risk of damage to the roots.

Irrigation

In order for the plant to develop normally, it must be properly looked after. It is especially important to maintain the optimum level of soil moisture during the budding and flowering stage. To moisten the soil, use settled or rain water.When watering, it is recommended to soak the soil with moisture by 25-30 centimeters, but the moisture should not stagnate.

Feeding

The plant needs to be fertilized from the first year of life. The first time top dressing is applied in early spring, the last - at the end of July. For the plant, it is recommended to use liquid products that include hornmeal and cow dung.

Mulching

After watering, it is recommended to cover the soil with a mulch layer. It helps to avoid evaporation of moisture and prevents the development of weeds. Peat or sawdust is used as mulch.

Cover for the winter

In autumn, before the cold weather comes, the bush needs to be covered. To do this, insert spruce or pine branches between the shoots, and then pull the bush with a rope. Then cover the plant with burlap. With the advent of heat, the material must be removed.

Cutting

The bushes are distinguished by the correct shape, therefore they do not require forming pruning. Most often, culture needs a sanitary procedure. It is carried out in early spring. Cuts should be smeared with garden pitch.

Pests and diseases

If agrotechnical recommendations are violated, the bush is attacked by pests and diseases develop.

Mealybugs

These insects often provoke plant damage by damaging the bark and attaching to the branches. Actellik, Fufanon will help to cope with them.

Shields

These are quite dangerous pests. To cope with scale insects, it is recommended to use a solution of Karbofos.

Spider mites

These parasites provoke damage to the leaf blades. Diazinon is used to kill ticks.

Bug

Another dangerous pest that often infects a flower. Diazinon helps to destroy parasites.

Weevils

The parasite feeds on the foliage and flowers of the plant. To cope with pests, it is worth using Diazinon.

Rhododendrum flies

These pests provoke serious crop damage. A solution of Karbofos will help to destroy them.

Snails and slugs

These pests are recommended to be collected by hand. It is also worth treating the plant with a solution of fungicides.

Leaf spot

In most cases, the disease is associated with insufficient aeration of the roots. Fungicides will help to cope with it.

Cancer

In this case, the plant will have to be removed. For prevention, it is recommended to use Bordeaux liquid.

Chlorosis

The development of the disease is accompanied by a change in the color of the foliage. Iron chelate will help to cope with the problem.

Rust

In such a situation, it is worth using products containing copper. Bordeaux liquid is perfect.

Transfer to another location

If the site is chosen incorrectly, it is worth transplanting the crop. This should be done in early spring or autumn. You will have to move the bush to a new place with a lump of soil. It is important not to damage the roots while doing this.

The procedure should be carried out in cloudy weather. At first, it is important to cover the plant to protect it from the sun.

Reproduction

Culture can be propagated by the following methods:

• layering;
• cutting;
• seeds;
• dividing the bush;
• vaccinated.

Answers to questions

Should rhododendrons be closed for the winter? Despite the resistance to frost, it is recommended to cover the bushes in the garden. This is especially true for young plants. An adult rhododendron winters well even without insulation.

How to acidify the soil? If necessary, this procedure can be carried out with citric acid.

Is it possible to transplant rhododendrons? If the site is chosen incorrectly, this is allowed. But it is important not to damage the roots.

Reviews

Numerous plant reviews testify to their popularity:

1. Valentina, 62 years old: “I have been growing this beautiful flower in my dacha for many years. In order for the plant to develop normally, you need to choose the right bed for it. At the same time, the place should be protected from the bright sun and wind.”
2. Ivan, 54: “I really like this plant. In order for the bush to develop normally and bloom profusely, it needs to be properly cared for. It is especially important to water the bushes in a timely manner. However, stagnant moisture should be avoided.”

Rhododendron is a popular ornamental plant grown by many flower growers. In order for the culture to develop normally and delight with lush flowering, it must be watered and fed in a timely manner.

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