Rhododendron Katevbinsky: description of species, planting and care in the open field with a photo

Among the rhododendrons, Katevbinsky is the first representative of an evergreen shrub brought to Europe from North America. New varieties have been created that can grow in the harsh climate of Russia. The flower is capricious, but if you follow the right care, we get an ornamental plant that decorates the spring garden with brightly flowering bushes.

Feature and description

Rhododendron forms a lush spherical bush. Plant height reaches 4 meters. Glossy leaves in the form of an ellipse of dark green color. The root system is deepened by 40 centimeters.

Blossoms with pink bells with a diameter of 6 centimeters. They are collected in brushes of 20 colors. A flowering bush creates the effect of a pink cloud, for which it is called a rose tree. The plant is long-lived, growing up to 100 years. The Katevbinsky rhododendron blooms in May, flowering continues for a month. When flowering ends, fruits are formed. These are seed pods. Seeds reach maturity in October.

Views

Based on the original species of the Katevbinsky rhododendron, hybrids were bred that differ in winter hardiness, the shape of the bush and inflorescences, and the color of the flowers. Popular are:

Album (Catawbiense album).
Grandiflorum.
Katevbinse Burso.
Cunningham`s White.

For all their differences, they have common features that emphasize their belonging to this type of plant.

Album

The shape of the bush is elongated upwards, the height is 3 meters. It blooms in large white inflorescences with a yellow center. Flowering lasts from the end of May until the end of June. Withstands winter temperatures down to -30 degrees.

Grandiflorum

The most common type of Katevbinsky rhododendron, the first variety bred from the wild species. The bush has the shape of a ball with a diameter of 2.5 meters. Blooms profusely from the beginning of May for a month. Flowers - white, pink, lilac, collected in inflorescences. Tolerates temperatures down to -32 degrees.

Burso

Rhododendron hybrid, very winter-hardy (up to -32 degrees), retains all properties of the species. The bush has a sprawling shape, tends to grow in breadth.

White

Cunningham`s White rhododendron hybrid is called White. Snow-white flowers have a central petal strewn with small purple spots. The length of the petal is 5 centimeters, 9 flowers are collected in the inflorescence.

Landing

Rhododendron needs loose peat soil with a reaction of 4.5-5.5 pH. Prepare the following composition:

3 pieces of high-moor peat;
2 pieces of pine litter;
1 part coarse sand.

The soil is thoroughly mixed and poured into the planting hole. You can take a special soil for rhododendrons and azaleas. It is important that it be acidic and breathable. The compact root system does not require a deep hole, 40 centimeters is enough, 60 centimeters in diameter. The place is prepared in advance, waiting for the soil to settle.

Pick up time

If seedlings in pots with a developed root system are selected, you can plant the Katevbinsky rhododendron from May and all summer.

Selection of seedlings

An important point is the choice of rhododendron seedlings.They are purchased in specialized stores. Age must be 2-3 years. Potted plants brought from Finnish nurseries will be the best, as they are grown in a climate close to Russia. Saplings from Holland and France are suitable for the southern regions.

Important. You should not buy large bushes or rooted cuttings of rhododendron. They are unlikely to take root in a new place.

Seat Requirements

For the Katevbinsky rhododendron, a place where the sun's rays are scattered through the leaves of trees is suitable. Bushes are planted at a distance of 2 meters from their trunks. The best neighborhood is spruce, pine, larch. Landings must be protected from cold winds. Shrubs should not be planted near plants with a shallow root system.

Plant pattern

Rhododendrons are grown in groups or in a single planting, can be placed along the hedge. The distance between the bushes is maintained from one and a half to two meters.

Care

Caring for a plant includes the following work:

Water.
Fertilization.
Mulching and loosening.
Remove weeds.

Compliance with the rules when performing these works will help to grow a he althy and beautiful plant.

Drainage

If the site has heavy clay soil, it is necessary to make drainage before planting the rhododendron. The drainage layer is laid at a depth of 10-15 centimeters. Gravel, coarse sand, crushed stone are suitable for this.

Mulching

Mulching is performed to cover the roots from overheating, to keep moisture in the soil, to drown out weeds. The best mulch for rhododendron is fallen needles, sawdust from coniferous trees, dry peat.

Irrigation

Heather crops do not like drying out of the soil due to the superficial location of the roots. Water plants 2 times a week in hot weather. Young bushes are sprayed. Humidity should not be excessive, water only when the topsoil dries up.

Feeding

Rhododendron needs nitrogen in spring. Make a solution of 1 tablespoon of ammonium nitrate and 10 liters of water. During flowering, the bushes are fed with acidic fertilizers for azaleas. In August, potassium sulfate is added - 1 tablespoon per 10 water. To acidify the soil around the bushes, colloidal sulfur is scattered (40-80 grams, depending on the size of the bush).

Flowering

During flowering, the rhododendron requires special attention. It is fed, watered abundantly. It is important to remove faded inflorescences so that they do not interfere with the development of new ones and do not make the bush untidy.

Cutting

Pruning is done in early May, this plant is given a rounded shape and a neat appearance. Sometimes this procedure leads to a delay in the growth and flowering of the bush. Pruning is replaced by pinching shoots.

Wintering

The roots of the plant are mulched with dry peat, sawdust or needles. For rhododendron, temperature drops in winter, snow sticking to branches are dangerous. A support is installed around the bush and wrapped with lutrasil or other material that allows air to pass through. You can bend the bush to the ground and cover it in a similar way.

Protection from diseases and pests

Rhododendron attracts various harmful insects and diseases.

The most dangerous fungal diseases. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with these problems in detail.

Fungal diseases

Tracheomycosis. It begins with rotting of the roots, then it affects the entire plant. Sick branches are removed, the plant is sprayed with Bordeaux liquid.

Phytophthora. Violet-brown spots appear on the trunk and branches. Sick shoots are cut off. The bush is sprayed with Fundazol, Topaz.

Septoria blotch. Brown spots are visible on the leaves, which turn into holes. The plant is treated with Bordeaux liquid, Skor, Topaz, Fundazol preparations.

Striated Weevil

Adult beetle damages buds, buds, flowers and leaves. The larvae develop in the soil and destroy the roots, up to the root collar. It is difficult to fight, as the pest is insensitive to drugs.

Prevention is important in the fight. Carefully cultivate the soil, make sure that there are no weevil larvae in it. From adults, the bushes are sprayed with insecticides - Demitan, Fitoverm, Karbofos.

Spider mite

Inhabits rhododendron bushes in hot dry weather. The tick is invisible, the presence is indicated by the web on the leaves, which quickly dry out. Fertile insect. Sprayed with Aktara, Demitan or others every 6 days.

Acacia false shield

A small brown insect gnaws through the bark and sucks out the juice, which leads to the death of a rhododendron bush. Destroyed by systematic treatment with contact pesticides such as Aktara.

Tobacco thrips

Damages leaves and buds. Methods of struggle - as with acacia false shield.

Rhododendron mite

Black dots on the reverse surface of rhododendron leaves testify to its appearance. Quickly destroys the entire plant. For processing, contact-intestinal preparations are used. They are changed so as not to be addictive.

Hothouse whitefly

Destroys flowers and leaves. It is most effective to spray the leaves from below with nicotine and oil emulsion in spring and autumn.

Gastropods

It strikes the leaves of young bushes, gnawing holes in them. They are harvested by hand or the bush is treated with a 0.8% TMTD solution.

Methods of reproduction

The most acceptable ways to propagate the Katevbinsky rhododendron:

Seeds.
Shoots.

Each method has the right to exist, characterized by advantages and disadvantages.

Seed propagation

The best time to sow rhododendron seeds for seedlings is January. Seeds are scattered on the surface of the earth and germinated in the light at a temperature of 20 degrees. The grown seedlings dive into separate pots and grow indoors until the next spring. In May, they transplant into open ground.

Propagation by shoots

On the lower branch, a small piece of bark is removed, then the branch is pressed to the ground and secured with a bracket. For a year, the shoot forms its own root system, and it is separated from the bush. We get an independent plant, which we transplant to the chosen place.

Rhododendron can be propagated by cuttings, but this is a lengthy and not always successful process. Rooting takes up to 6 months.

Reviews

Svetlana Fedulova, Smolensk.

“For a long time I did not dare to plant a rhododendron, I thought I could not do it. I received a seedling of Catawbiense grandiflorum as a gift. Planted on the west side of the house. I was afraid that it would not overwinter. The shelter was made in the form of a frame of metal arcs, which were covered with two layers of lutrasil. In the spring, the bush was alive and well. Blossomed in the third year with delicate purple flowers.”

Anna Proshina, Chernomorskoye, Crimea.

“Among my garden plants, rhododendron flaunts for a long time. The most favorite hybrid - Album. In our climate, the main task is to protect the bushes from the hot sun and drought. I grow among acacias, in an openwork shade. I shelter from the bright sun and strong winds for the winter.”