Growing Rhododendrons

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

The variety of species of Rhododendron allows everyone to choose a plant suitable for their garden, which is suitable for the soil, and the proximity or absence of a reservoir, climatic conditions. Shrub care is simple, and therefore even a novice gardener can handle it

Pick-up location

The rhododendron does not have to fight for a place in the sun, since partial shade suits him. Its leaves and flowers do not like direct sunlight, which can leave painful burns on them. The plant is much more comfortable to sit under tall trees, the crown of which scatters sunlight, depriving it of its destructive power.

Trees protect shrubs not only from the scorching rays of the sun, but also from gusts of cold winds, which also has a beneficial effect on the growth of Rhododendron. After all, most plant species prefer to grow in open ground, and only Indian azaleas are easy to grow in flower pots, decorating the interior of the home.

Temperature

All Rhododendrons are very tolerant of low temperatures, and the Daurian Rhododendron (Ledum) can withstand temperatures down to minus 45 degrees.

In winter, they do not like it at all if the air suddenly heats up above plus 15 degrees in areas with a mild climate. Therefore, today's anomalous temperatures throughout our little Earth globe are badly reflected in the growth and flowering of Rhododendrons.

Soil and fertilizing

In order for the leaves to be large and leathery, and the inflorescences to cover the branching bush with an abundant carpet, the soil must be fertile, consisting of sod land, leaf humus, peat, that is, rich in organic matter.

In addition, it should be acidic, and therefore pine needles are added to it, and at the time of planting a seedling from a flower pot, white peat is added to the open ground.

To obtain the best results on the growth of seedlings, humus in a container is flavored with complex fertilizer. When planting seedlings in open ground, organic and mineral fertilizers are added. Abundant flowering is helped by the introduction of liquid fertilizer into the soil, which is done in autumn and spring, so that the plants can get stronger and be more viable.

With the predominance of calcareous soils on the site and the impossibility of fertilizing them with organic matter, it is better to abandon the planting of Rhododendron, replacing them, for example, with Barberry, which is semi-shade-tolerant, unpretentious to the soil, does not fear strong winds and easily tolerates drought.

Watering

A characteristic feature of Rhododendrons is their love of moisture. Summer watering is carried out often, not allowing the soil to dry out. This is especially true for young bushes.

But one wet land is not enough for a plant, and therefore it is required to spray the leaves in order to satisfy the shrub's need for moisture.

If everything is not simple with the water at the summer cottage, then again, it is more advisable not to bother with the cultivation of Rhododendrons, replacing them with a drought-resistant Barberry, or another plant that does not require a lot of water.

Maintaining appearance

Rhododendrons have a very negative attitude towards fashionable haircuts, preferring natural beauty. Therefore, freeing the bush from wilted inflorescences, do not overdo it with the removal of shoots, so as not to lose flowering at all for several years.

For uniform branching of the shrub, young plants are pinched, doing this very delicately.

Eliminate dry and old ugly branches.

Reproduction

There are several ways to propagate Rhododendrons.

You can sow seeds and wait a long time for the fruits of your labor.

Or graft a twig of a delicate variety to a more resistant species that has already found shelter on the site.

But the most popular type of plant propagation is cuttings, moreover, delicate apical cuttings root more safely than more lignified ones. The time for harvesting cuttings depends on the type of Rhododendron.

Enemies

Unfortunately, the Rhododendrons have plenty of enemies.

A love of moisture can provoke fungal diseases if the plant is not provided with a reliable drainage system.

Worms, nematodes, whiteflies and voracious ubiquitous aphids cannot bypass the picturesque bushes.