Rhododendron The Hague: description and characteristics of the variety, planting and care with a photo

There are a large number of evergreen bushes valued for their flowers. However, in harsh climatic conditions, not any of them is able to survive the local winter. Therefore, Russian gardeners appreciated the Hague variety rhododendron. Against the background of his fellows, he pleases connoisseurs with high frost resistance and the ability to endure sub-zero temperatures in open space without losing the ability to bloom.

Short definition

Rhododendron The Hague is a type of evergreen rhododendron obtained by a hybrid way. It was bred in Finland through experiments with the Vereskov family.

Detailed description

Rhododendron The Hague belongs to evergreen shrubs with a spherical dense crown and dense branches. It is able to bloom in the sun, in a shady place, for a period of 2-3 weeks by the end of May or in June. The flowers are collected in inflorescences, in connection with the breeding of new varieties, only a wavy edge and grouping with inflorescences of 17-20 flowers can be called a common feature. The buds of the rhododendron are red, the foliage is dark, dense and glossy, up to 13-15 centimeters.

History of occurrence

The breeding of the rhododendron The Hague is attributed to Finland, and the date is 1974, the time of breeding by the University of Helsinki during the rhododendron breeding program. There was a hybrid from the Katevbinsky rhododendron and is its short-fruited variety. In turn, today The Hague has more than 80 varieties.

Distinguishing Features

Finnish varieties of rhododendrons have been adapted to the climatic conditions of the breeding site. That is, they have a very high resistance to cold, which makes it possible to actually keep a tropical flower in the northern region.

Landing

The Hague Rhododendron is a variety that is resistant to many adverse conditions, including planting in it is tied mainly to the acidity of the soil and the level of air humidity. But for better growth, there are a number of recommendations to consider.

Choosing a seat

Rhododendron adapts well to both the sun and shaded areas. But in the first case, he needs protective shelters from the direct rays of the sun. From drafts, despite frost resistance, it is better to protect. The plant loves moist air, so the best option would be to land on the shore of a pond or other body of water

Soil preparation

The land for landing should be loose and acidic. The ideal composition is:

• drainage base;
• 1 piece of turf land;
• 1 piece coarse sand;
• 3 pieces of peat;
• 2 pieces of moorland.

Pit preparation and planting pattern

A hole is being prepared 40-45 centimeters deep and ten centimeters more in width. Drainage is covered by 10-15 cm, then the place is filled with soil mixture and rammed. A seedling is placed in the recess, which is covered with a substrate up to the root collar and watered abundantly. Mulching (5-6 centimeters thick) with a combination of rotten needles, moss, peat, leaves and pieces of oak bark will be favorable.

Features of care

Difficulties in the content of the Hague rhododendron does not arise. It adapts well to new conditions compared to related species. Subject to the rules of watering and feeding, the plant will be he althy and bloom well.

Irrigation

Winter and autumn watering of rhododendron is carried out only on dry days, in summer the bush requires irrigation and spraying every day. In this case, settled cool water or (ideally) rain water is suitable. It is sometimes recommended to diversify watering with a solution of sphagnum peat. To do this, it is soaked in small amounts in water for a day.

Feeding

Feeding the plant should be started immediately after planting the bush, and fertilized throughout the flowering. In order to acidify the water is diluted with ammonium, calcium and superphosphate. At the beginning of spring, it is worth adding 4-5 grams of magnesium sulfate per 10 liters of water to feed with nitrogen. By the middle of summer, fertilizing rhododendron costs half as much.

Cutting

A mature bush is rejuvenated by pruning a third of old and damaged branches and top well-developed shoots. Treat the slices with garden pitch in the spring. A month later, the awakening of the buds and the intensive growth of new shoots begin.

Transfer

The period for transplanting to a new place should also be chosen in the spring, guessing the moment between two flowerings. At this time, the plant is unpretentious, quickly adapts, and transshipment will not result in problems.

Substrate composition:

• 40 grams of sulfur;
• 1 piece of sand;
• 1 piece sawdust;
• 2 parts sour peat.

Flowering

Rhododendron is valued precisely as a flower bush that blooms well even after a harsh winter. The flowers themselves, with reddish freckles and wavy petals, make up the inflorescence in a group of 17-20 pieces. Hue, depending on the variety / sub-variety of the plant, varies from salmon and pink to purple and red.

Features

Blossoms in large numbers, pyramidal or forming a round crown. It starts quite early. Flowering duration - 3 weeks on average, from May to June.

How to care before and after

Withered inflorescences and flowers must be collected from rhododendron so that it does not waste nutrients in vain. During the formation of buds, the temperature should be about 10-15 degrees, during the immediate flowering period, you can increase it by another five. It is also necessary to ensure regular watering with good lighting.

If no buds appear

There are three possible reasons that can inhibit the development and flowering of rhododendron. First, you need to check for garden pests. If they are not there, the flower may lack minerals or moisture. It is necessary to make additional top dressing and try to increase watering. In summer, it is recommended to spray the plant even daily.

Reproduction

Reproduction of the Hague variety, as well as other types of rhododendron, is possible both by seeds and vegetatively (cuttings, layering).

The seed method is usually used for wild varieties. Landing is carried out in bowls (with a large number - in boxes), which are covered with clean sand and watered with either melted water, or rainwater or well-settled water, acidifying the soil with oxalic acid. After the sprouts emerge, it is advisable to move them to a cooler place, 10-12 degrees, so the seedlings get sick less. Seed-grown rhododendron blooms in the 5-10th year of life.

Lumbering shoots of 7-8 centimeters are cultivated in similar conditions, only protected with glass or film and based on peat soil. It takes root within 2-3 weeks, and a plant grown from a cutting can bloom a year later.

Young plants should be planted outdoors directly in boxes.

Design use

Harmoniously fits into the company of other rhododendrons, especially with orange flowers. Looks good on a green lawn, shaded by juniper, arborvitae, pines.

Problem Prevention

The Hague rhododendron is not the most demanding plant to care for outside the flowering period, and organizing the prevention of problems is quite simple. In late autumn, early spring, it is recommended to treat it with a solution of Bordeaux liquid (copper sulfate in milk of lime).

When overzealous watering, the plant is affected by the fungus (signs - incorrect pigmentation of the leaves, rust and chlorosis). The amount of water needs to be reduced. Rotting shoots arising for the same reason are also immediately removed. The problem of yellowing leaves is solved by treatment with iron chelate.

No plant is immune from pests. Rhododendron The Hague, for example, often affects snails and slugs. It is not difficult to neutralize them, it is necessary to select them manually. If a weevil attacked the bush, then the surrounding substrate, branches and leaves are treated with a Diazonin solution.

In the case of spider mites and a specific pest of the rhododendron bug, spraying with fungicides (for example, an 8% solution of Karbofos) will save the situation.

Reviews

Khmelkovskaya Miroslava Vasilievna, 38 years old: “I have a variety of rhododendron The Hague growing. Planted last year. For the winter, she made him a hut as a shelter. Last weekend I was at the cottage. The Hague rhododendron overwintered well: the buds did not fall off, no spots are visible on the leaves, the leaves rose, straightened. ”

Polyakova Svetlana Stepanovna, 55 years old: “The beauty of the incredible rhododendron The Hague! I concluded that it is good to mulch with pine needles. This variety really meets all the characteristics declared by the selectors, both in terms of care and abundant flowering.”

Conclusion

Considering all the factors, The Hague rhododendron can be deservedly called a very unpretentious and hardy variety. With proper care and minimal costs, he will thank the owner with lush flowering and contribute to the picturesqueness of the garden.

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