This plant is simply amazing with its variety. What is most interesting is its lifespan and impressive height. Rhododendrons grow even in mountains and swampy areas.

Brief description of rhododendron varieties:

1. Rhododendron Albrecht. Reaches a height of up to 1.5 meters. Lifespan up to 30 years. Preferably for cultivation in the northwestern regions.
2. Atlantic. Reaches a height of up to 1 meter. Lifespan up to 25 years. Grows in the northwestern regions.
3. Vazeya. It reaches a height of up to 1.6 meters. Lives for more than 30 years. Grow in the northwestern regions.
4. Holofloral. It reaches a height of up to 1 meter 20 cm. It grows well in the northwestern regions. Lifespan is about 30 years.
5. Daursky. Height from 2 to 4 meters. The northwestern region is suitable for cultivation.
6. Tree-like. Reaches up to 1.60 m. Northwestern region, western part of Siberia. Life expectancy is more than 30 years.
7. Azalea pontica. Grows up to 4 meters. Prefers the northwestern part.
8. Coarse-haired. Shrub height up to 1 meter. Preferably the middle band.

Getting to know this plant step by step, you understand its versatility. With one name there are so many varieties. Each bush is unique in its external characteristics, preferring the most diverse parts of the regions. From north to south.

Planting rhododendron in open ground

Planting rhododendron is an important point. Since the future fate of the plant depends on how and where it is planted. Not every gardener has encountered rhododendron. Dorodendron is not a popular plant among gardeners. Since such a flower is very picky about the weather and cannot take root everywhere.

The ideal soil for this plant is acidic peat, pine litter and loam. Garden soil can be replaced with the prepared mixture.

For example: one part garden soil, two parts acidic peat, it can be replaced with sphagnum moss. Garden soil can be replaced with clay. You will need 2 times less of it.

1. Choose the time for landing

in spring best option for planting a plant. During the summer period it will have time to take root. Then he will not be afraid of even the most severe frosts.

The soil at the planting site must be fed. So that the plant receives maximum vitamin and minerals. Then growth will be faster and the bush will become stronger.

It is necessary to dig planting holes in advance. They must be fertilized. Fertilizers can be homemade or ready-made purchased.

There must also be drainage in the hole. Its quantity depends on the pit itself, or rather, on the size. The deeper the hole, the more drainage will be needed. Planting it will not be difficult.

2. Landing area

Rhododendrons love moderate moisture and acidic soil. This plant does not always bloom. If the soil is not suitable for it, then the flower yield may not be seen.

In such cases, a transplant should be done. A correctly transplanted bush can finally surprise you with its beautiful flowering. The root system of the bush is well developed and compact. Therefore, it will not be difficult to transplant it.

3. Planting methods

Everything is pretty strict here. Rhododendron requires correct landing. He does not like to go too deep or, conversely, to be completely on the surface.

The plant must be vertical when planted. The root ball area is sprinkled with the substance. Next comes mulching up to 5 cm, then water well.

The soil should get wet up to 20 cm. You can mulch with peat, leaves, pine needles. But this only happens after the plant is watered. If the plant is planted during flowering, then some of the flowers must be removed.

When the bush was just planted. He is still quite unstable and weak. Weather conditions such as wind may disrupt root system. Therefore, in order for the plant to take root, you need to hammer a small stick nearby and carefully wrap it with thread. So that the rhododendron is resistant to sharp and strong gusts of wind.

4. The process of planting in open ground

Planting pattern:

1. Drainage. Drainage is broken bricks. The amount of drainage depends on the size of the planting hole. The larger the hole, the greater the amount of drainage will be.
2. Soil mixture. The soil mixture is added strictly in a certain quantity.
3. Priming.
4. Needles.

First of all, you need to dig in advance landing hole. It should be up to 50 cm deep and at least 70 cm wide. Then drainage is added up to 20 cm.

But if the hole is larger, then it is necessary to increase the addition of drainage. The distance between bushes should be from 1 to 2 meters. Each bush must have its own space to fully grow. The roots should not be buried too deep. The root system should be 2-4 cm, taking into account the soil.

Plant care

Caring for a plant is perhaps the most enjoyable activity. It's good when you don't waste time in vain. And then, you can proudly admire your creation.

Summer care:

1. Constant watering. The main thing is not to overfill.
2. Spraying with a stream. In the summer heat it can save the plant.
3. Removing sluggish inflorescences. The old inflorescences are no longer needed. They suck out all the juices and energy.
4. Perform timely pruning. If the pruning is drastic. Then it is best to prune half the bush in the first year. But the second one, already on next year. Then the stress for the plant will be minimal.

These simple rules will help even an inexperienced gardener learn how to care for rhododendron.

1. Watering

Caring for the plant is not difficult. You don't need to be an expert gardener to do this. Like every plant, rhododendron needs to be watered on time. Especially in the summer heat.

The bush should not be watered in the morning or afternoon, when the sun is hottest. It is advisable to water after sunset. You need to water under the bush. The main thing is not to overfill. This cute bush does not like excessive moisture.

Tap water will not suit him. Since it often contains bleach, which can be very harmful. But rainwater is just perfect.

But unfortunately, it is impossible to make rain when it is needed. Therefore you can collect rainwater manually. To do this, you can leave the buckets outside. Slowly, but they will fill up. This is enough for watering.

2. Mulching

Mulching gets rid of unwanted grass and weeds. These weeds are not beneficial, but just the opposite. There is a lot of harm from them.

Since weeds take all the food from the ground, that is, fertilizing and nutrients. The rhododendron itself receives much less in return. It is necessary to mulch twice a year, in spring and summer.

3. Trimming

If the climate is suitable for rhododendron, then it will grow very rapidly. Over time, a bush can interfere with others, taking up all the space.

It is best to prune bushes after flowering. It is necessary to rid the plant of dry branches, long shoots, and so on.

It is absolutely necessary to prune an already mature plant in order to give it its former shape.
So as not to cause stress to the plant.

It is best to prune half the bush in the first year. And next year, cut off the second half. If you do everything in one year. The plant can have a hard time withstanding stress.

In places where pruning is done, it is best to cover the wound with garden varnish. You need to trim 30-40 cm from the ground. It is advisable to do this in early spring. And the sooner the better.

4. Feeding

Of course, you can’t do without feeding. This is food for plants, filling them with energy, nutrients and microelements.

There is a store big choice feeding Each is designed for a specific plant, flower, tree, bush, and so on. Before planting in the hole, it is advisable to add rotted compost and peat in a 3:1 ratio.

Feeding for rhododendron:

1. Special store-bought fertilizer 20-30 grams per liter of water. You also need to add up to 10 grams of nitrogen fertilizer.
2. You can also add up to 30 grams of superphosphate and add up to 15 grams of potassium sulfate.
3. Potassium-phosphorus solution. For 10 liters of water you need 8 grams.

5. Propagation of rhododendron

Rhododendron can be propagated by cuttings. This is done on the 20th of June, when the cuttings are 5-8 cm. The lower cut is made at an angle. Cuttings may require special growth stimulants. Of course, it is best to get it in advance. For about 15 hours, the cuttings are kept in succinic acid.

Now you can start working on the substrate. You need to mix peat and sand in equal quantities. You can also mix sand with sawdust. Ready mixture Place in a container where the cuttings will grow.

It is imperative to provide additional lighting every day to ensure increased daylight hours. After a couple of weeks you need to supplement them with 2% urea. In spring, you can plant rhododendrons in the garden. Natural conditions will help the plant take root and receive minerals.

6. Diseases and pests

There are more than enough reasons for the disease. They lie in wait for the plant at every turn.

Causes of diseases:

1. Soil too wet.
2. Incorrect feeding.
3. Sunburns.
4. Low acidity.
5. Temperature changes.
6. Soil too dry.
7. Freezing in winter period.
8. Lack of nutrients.

Pests:

1. Spider mite. Gnaws leaves.
2. Furrow weevil. It feeds on leaves and flowers.
3. Mealyworm and many others.

It is necessary to fight them. Otherwise, these small creatures can easily destroy the plant. Then it will be impossible to save him.

Pest control measures:

1. It is necessary to spray with organophosphorus compounds.
2. Diazinon.
3. Agravertine.
4. TMTD solution 0.8%.
5. Fuafon.
6. Furadan.
7. Nicotine sulfate.
8. Bordeaux liquid.

Disease control measures:

1. Agrovertin.
2. Hilling up with sulfur.
3. TMTD solution 0.8%.
4. Diazinon.
5. 3% nicotine solution.
6. Karbofos emulsion 0.2%.
7. 2% solution of foundationazole.
8. Dithane solution 0.2%.
9. 5% copper kuparos.

If you don’t start it and take a closer look at the plants in time. It is possible to cure the bush at an early stage of the disease.

Proper care and simple tips will help you grow a healthy plant. Which will delight you with its incredible beauty for a long time.

Rhododendron is a plant of the genus of evergreen trees. Its name means tree with roses, appearance The shrub is very similar to an azalea. This is a fairly common plant, numbering about three thousand varieties. Rhododendron is found from North America to East Asia, most often grows near bodies of water. This plant in its natural habitat reaches up to thirty meters in length, and some species spread like a carpet. Rhododendron is one of the favorite crops among gardeners in Russia and Ukraine, as it is distinguished by its beauty and hardiness.

Description of culture

Garden rhododendron is a shrub that is quite popular all over the world due to the beauty of its foliage and magnificent flowering. Some species of this plant emit a bright floral aroma. The foliage of the crop can be annual or perennial depending on the variety.

The fruit of the bush is a small capsule with seeds. The bush has a fairly shallow root system, which makes it easy to transplant the plant to another location.

Rhododendron is an excellent early honey plant. Very popular among beekeepers.

Conditions for planting rhododendron

In our area, only frost-resistant rhododendron can be planted, since the roots of this plant are located close to the surface of the earth, and in severe winters there is a high risk of crop death. Planting is best done in early spring or late autumn. In general, it can be transplanted into open ground any time except during the flowering period.

The landing procedure is quite simple:

• You need to dig a hole about 50 cm deep and fill it with a mixture of peat and clay. Compact the contents of the recess firmly, and then dig a small hole in it the size of the root system of a bush. Before planting the plant, you need to keep its roots in water.
• The planted bush must be covered with earth and trampled down well. The root collar cannot be buried; it must be flush with the ground.
• After planting, you should water the bush generously.

It will grow best in the shade, in mineral-rich acidic soil. Goes well with oak, pine and other deep-rooted and fruit trees. But alder, maple, chestnut and linden will destroy rhododendron.

Shrub care

This plant is unpretentious and quite easy to care for. Care includes the usual procedures: weeding, watering, spraying, fertilizing and pest protection.

You cannot loosen the soil next to the bush, since the root system of the plant is located high and there is a risk of damaging it.

Watering should be plentiful and regular, especially during the flowering period of the bush.. You can determine when to water a flower by the state of its foliage: if it stops being glossy, it means the plant needs water.

IN summer time at high temperature air you need to spray the plant. Watering should be adjusted so as not to over-wet the roots.

Plant pruning

Typically, this shrub does not require pruning, as it forms a beautiful crown on its own.. Sometimes it is necessary to trim some branches or cut off frozen or dry shoots.

To execute correct pruning, it should be carried out in early spring. Cutting areas must be processed charcoal or garden varnish. After about thirty days, buds form on the shoots and the renewal process begins.

This shrub has the following feature: in one year it is noted abundant flowering, and in the next season much fewer inflorescences are formed. To get rid of this deficiency, it is necessary to prune half the plant alternately every other year.

Fertilizing bushes

This plant must be fertilized, even if recently planted. The first feeding is carried out in the spring. Before fertilizing, the plant must be watered. For organic fertilizers, manure diluted with water is suitable. Since the shrub grows in acidic soil, it mineral fertilizers You can use nitrogen agents and potassium phosphate.

It is best to fertilize the plant in the spring with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, and in early summer with sulfuric acid fertilizers.

Diseases and pests

The most common pests that threaten rhododendron are::

• mealyworm;
• spider mite;
• bedbugs;
• weevils;
• slugs and snails.

To combat these pests, you need to treat the plant with special solutions of insecticides and diazinons. Many pests die from karbofos.

Fungal diseases occur due to waterlogging and poor ventilation of the roots. Most of these diseases can be eliminated with a solution copper sulfate.

Affected shoots and leaves should be removed and trimmed.

Features of care in spring

In spring, it is necessary to remove the cover from the plants after temperature regime will be established at positive levels. It is recommended to remove the cover from rhododendrons gradually, which will protect the shoots from the negative effects of direct sunlight. Old mulching circle tree trunk circles should be removed. The first watering should be moisture recharging. For this purpose, water heated in the sun and settled is used.

If there is a large accumulation of melt water, it is necessary to take measures to drain it from the rhododendron plantings. IN spring care Rhododendron plantings include activities such as watering, nutritional fertilizing, weed removal, loosening, pruning and pest-protective spraying.

Trimming technology

In the spring, excessively tall bushes are pruned, as well as shoots frozen in winter are removed or old plants are rejuvenated. The event is held before the start of sap flow.

All cuts must be processed using garden varnish. About three weeks after pruning, buds awaken on the shoots, and some of the shoots are renewed. It is important to remember that very old or very frostbitten bushes in winter must be pruned at a height of 35 cm from the ground level. To reduce the frequency of flowering, it is recommended to promptly break out all wilted inflorescences immediately after flowering in the spring.

Watering and fertilizing

Rhododendrons belong to the category of moisture-loving plants, so watering plays an important role. It is recommended to supplement irrigation activities with the application of fertilizers. Rhododendrons grow quite slowly, but for full development they need periodic feeding. The main fertilizing is applied in the spring, after flowering, as well as at the stage of active growth of young shoots.

In early spring, you can apply a mixture of fertilizers based on ammonium sulfate, potassium sulfate and superphosphate to the plants in a 2:1:1 ratio. The use of such fertilizer requires the consumption of 80 g of the mixture for each square meter. For adult and old plants, you can additionally add organic matter in the form of rotted manure or compost at the rate of 1 bucket per bush.

Plants respond very well to feeding with granular fertilizer.“Kemira-universal”, which should be evenly distributed over the surface of the soil (1 tablespoon of granules for each square meter of area). For more adults and generously flowering plants It is advisable to double the application rate of this fertilizer.

For further fertilizing, you can use a solution of potassium sulfate. It should be remembered that in the last ten days of summer, rhododendrons do not need fertilizing, as they often cause late secondary growth and freezing of immature shoots in winter. For the same reason experienced flower growers It is not recommended to use mullein for fertilizing.

Pest protection

As a rule, rhododendrons are affected mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, bedbugs, weevils, rhododendron flies, as well as snails and slugs. Used to kill gastropods manual collection and preventive treatment of plants with 8% fungicidal agent “TMTD” or “Tirama”. In order to protect plantings from spider mites, rhododendron bugs and weevils, spraying of rhododendron and the soil around the plants with Diazinon is used. Treatment of flower beds in the spring with a standard solution of karbofos has good results.

Reproduction

Rhododendron reproduces at home in several ways:

Rhododendron varieties

There are a huge number of species and varieties of this beautiful shrub. Below are the most popular ones.

In our latitudes, this beautiful shrub normally tolerates light frosts, but it is still better to cover it for the winter. It does not require special care and reproduces successfully. Such a plant will become a real decoration of any garden or summer cottage.

Features of planting in the Moscow region, Siberia and the Urals

This plant is heat-loving, so for the Moscow region you need to choose varieties that can survive winter frosts. Due to the superficial location of the root system, the risk of freezing of the bush remains even under cover.

Rhododendron in Siberia. Planting and caring for such a shrub should include mandatory mulching and shelter for the winter. You need to choose deciduous varieties of rhododendron: Japanese, Kamchatka, yellow and others.

Rhododendrons in the Urals. Caring for and planting plants in this region begins with the selection of cold-resistant varieties, for example, Hague, Mikkeli, Rosie Lights. It is imperative to cover the rhododendron for the winter to avoid hypothermia.

The unique beauty of rhododendron inspires gardeners; for many, caring for this exquisite heat-loving shrub becomes a real pleasure and develops into a hobby. Growing rhododendron cannot be called easy; you need to choose the right place where to plant it, monitor soil moisture and protect it from pests. But if you make an effort and provide the plant with proper care, then this is rare. beautiful plant will be a real pearl of any garden.

So that the rose tree brings only positive emotions In order for all its care to be kept to a minimum, and the bushes to grow healthy and beautiful, you need proper and timely planting of rhododendron. Of course, caring for plants is also very important, but mistakes made during planting are very difficult to correct in the future, so it is very important to carefully follow the recommendations of gardening scientists and experts, which we have tried to combine for our readers in this article.

Beauty that pleases the eye

In order to ensure a good existence for rhododendrons on your site, several conditions must be met, each of which is very important.

Choice of type and variety.

Layout of the location according to the selected variety.

Selection of seedlings.

Correct landing time.

Preparing the planting hole.

Filling the hole with soil with the correct mechanical composition and acidity.

Covering the soil under the seedlings with mulching materials.

It would seem that it would be easier to plant a bush, but as many as seven factors need to be considered for the correct implementation of this most important event in the life of a plant.

Preparing for landing

Selecting a type and variety

First, we need to carry out activities during which we prepare for the main thing - planting rhododendron in the ground in the spring. And we start with theory, by studying what rhododendrons are and what varieties will be suitable for planting them on our site.

To describe the entire rich spectrum of rhododendrons you will need a very thick tome. Those interested can familiarize themselves with the characteristics of the varieties in the place where they want to purchase this or that seedling. We will just say that rhododendrons are divided into three large categories.

deciduous;

evergreen;

semi-evergreen.

Of course, for each territory its own species are selected, for example, it is irrational to plant in the Moscow region evergreen without a special year-round greenhouse, and in the hot south it is a deciduous variety.

We list below the types of rhododendrons most often grown by gardeners in our country.

Daursky.

Tree-like.

• Kamchatsky.

  Canadian.

  Short-fruited.

  The largest.

  Large-leaved.

  Katevbinsky.

  Ledebur.

• Small-leaved.

• Smirnova.

  Schlippenbach.

  Yakushimansky.

  Japanese.

All these types of rhododendrons are close relatives, and some of them interbreed well, thanks to which breeders develop new unusual forms.

Palette of rhododendrons in one area

Site layout

The second stage of preparatory activities is creative. Before planting a rhododendron on your site in the spring, it’s worth thinking about its placement on winter evenings. Armed with a pencil, you need to draw a plan of your site on a piece of paper, and on it schematically place future rosewood seedlings. In this case, you need to take into account the varietal characteristics of the specimens you choose.

Some rhododendrons grow in nature on mountain slopes, and are illuminated by the sun all daylight hours, while others grow well as undergrowth in a coniferous forest. In accordance with this, you need to place the selected bushes. In addition, when placing, it is worth taking into account the height and volume of adult plants that will grow in the future.

It is worth considering that rhododendrons have fibrous surface roots, so placing them next to trees that have the same root systems is undesirable. Trees with powerful, deep roots, on the contrary, will protect young bushes at the initial stage of development.

Unwanted neighbors of rhododendrons

Good neighbors

Regardless of the height of the bush and its volume, all types of rhododendrons do not like dampness and close groundwater. Therefore, if possible, it is advisable to place them in dry places. If your site is flooded by spring waters, then to plant “pink trees” you should pour an artificial mound or make a raised bed.

Selection of seedlings

Spring has come, and we went to choose a seedling from a nursery, gardening store or market. What do you need to know when buying rhododendron?

First of all, we advise you to choose a seedling with a closed root system. Such a plant will take root well when transplanting rhododendron in the spring from a pot to permanent place. Saplings with an open root system are cheaper, but their survival rate is low.

Excellent seedling

The photo shows a powerful four-year-old seedling, ready to flower. It can also be grown in pots, but it can also be planted in the ground. The seedlings shown in the following photo vary in size and represent different types and varieties of rhododendrons. Although in age they are three years old, if you count from sowing seeds.

Rhododendron seedlings

Boarding time

All experts indicate that best time Rhododendrons are planted in the spring in calm, cloudy weather. It’s good if the days following planting are cloudy, and the plants will be less exposed to the bright rays of the spring sun.

During summer planting high activity sun and elevated temperatures can significantly affect the survival rate of seedlings. When planting in the fall, there may not be enough time for good rooting before the harsh winter.

Planting bushes

Planting pit

First of all, when planting at the intended point, we dig a fairly spacious hole, at least half a meter deep and up to one meter in diameter, depending on the size of the soil ball of our seedling. We pour some drainage material at the bottom of the hole.

Planting pit

The following materials are used for drainage when planting rhododendrons.

• crushed gravel;

• pine bark;

  broken red brick.

Attention! When planting rhododendrons and other plants of the heather family, manure, ash and crushed limestone should not be used. These substances raise the pH level, which leads to oppression of seedlings!

The upper cut of the drainage layer must be higher than the maximum elevation of spring waters, and the thickness of the layer must be at least ten centimeters.

Soil

Before lowering the seedling into the hole and filling it up, you need to prepare the soil mixture. This mixture should be fairly light in mechanical composition. Below we will offer you a list of components from which you can make soil for planting rhododendrons.

• High-moor and low-lying peat.

  Pine bark.

  Leaf soil.

You can simply dig up soil in a coniferous forest and bring it in the quantity required for planting rhododendrons to your site.

After preparing the mixture, you need to check its acidity level. Heather plants love acidic soil with a pH value of 4.5-5.5 units. This indicator can be easily checked with ordinary litmus paper. When checking acidity, you need to mix the prepared soil in water, and then dip litmus paper into it. Its color should be orange or light orange.

Set of litmus paper with determinant scale

If compiled by you soil mixture does not meet the pH requirements, it should be acidified. For this you can use organic and mineral acids, for example:

• electrolyte for batteries;

  tincture of pine needles or sorrel;

  lemon acid;

  colloidal sulfur.

Mulch

Before starting the process of planting rhododendrons, you need to make sure that there is a sufficient amount of mulching materials. They can be used as:

softwood sawdust;

pine and spruce shavings;

mown grass.

The herb should be used from plants that like to grow in acidic soil, for example:

plantain;

• daisy;

  white beard sticking out;

  Ivan-da-Marya.

Planting seedlings

When all the preparatory measures have been completed, we begin to plant the rhododendrons in a permanent place. In this case, seedlings with a closed root system are pre-watered so that they can easily come out of the pot in which they were located.

The rhododendron plant comes from the Heather family. Translated, the name rhododendron means rose tree. This is a fairly well-known plant for growing at home, and the common people call it indoor rhododendron.

General information

The plant is distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. Less common in Japan, Asia, North America. In the Ukrainian expanses, this plant grows in the subalpine zone, and only Carpathian rhododendron. But only there they call it in their own way “Chervona Ruta”. This species is listed in the Red Book.

The rhododendron flower grows in nature both in groups and as single individuals. It is found on mountain slopes in swampy areas and in the tundra.

Rhododendron is an almost evergreen shrub plant or tree. Height miniature species ranges from 10 cm to one meter, and there are exceptions, the height of which is about 30 meters.

The leaves of the plant vary in shape and size. The foliage is arranged in a spiral shape. The leaf shape is an oblong oval with slight pubescence. Inflorescences are presented in racemes or corymbs, sometimes singly. The corolla has a sunny or pinkish tint.

The fruits are formed in the form of capsules with many seeds. There are about 1,300 plant species in the natural environment.

Varieties and types

This is a deciduous species, reaching a height of up to 2 meters. The shoots of the plant are directed upward. The ellipse-shaped foliage is about 4 cm in length and up to 1.5 cm in width. The inflorescences are single, soft purple in color. Flowering begins in mid-summer, after the leaves have fully appeared.

Accelerating bush. The height of this species is about 3 meters. The foliage is oblong, about 12 cm long. The inflorescences are represented by up to 10 flowers in racemes and have a pleasant aroma. Flowering occurs at the end of spring.

This evergreen bush with many leaves reaching a height of 4 meters, but to a greater extent the width of the bush exceeds the height. The shape of the leaf is in the form of an ellipse, about 15 cm long. There are up to 20 flowers in the racemes. The corolla of the flower is purple. Flowering begins at the end of spring.

The accelerating species is about two meters in height. The leaves are shaped like maple leaves and are found at the ends of the stems. The inflorescences are pale pink with splashes, the flower diameter is about 10 cm.

This is a bush, about 2 meters tall. The shape of the bush is decomposed. The foliage is elongated, about 10 cm in length, slightly pubescent. IN autumn period has a yellowish-red tint. The inflorescences are scarlet, sunny in color, about 8 cm in diameter with a pleasant aroma. Flowering begins in the last month of spring. Flowering duration is more than a month.

Quite common. Due to the abundance of flowers, leaves are almost completely invisible. Height is about one meter. Inflorescences are bell-shaped. The color of the flower is scarlet, yellow or pink.

Is not large sizes bush up to half a meter in height. Adults of the plant have a dark gray bark tint. The leaves of the species are elongated with a rounded end. Young individuals have an individually pleasant, but more pungent aroma.

The inflorescences of the species have a light pink tint and have no aroma. There are about 15 flowers in the racemes. Flowering lasts throughout the summer.

Height is about 1 meter 20 centimeters. With a brown tint to the bark. The shoots are more accelerating in nature.

The foliage is oblong and oval shaped. WITH inside the leaf is covered with hairs. The flowers are clustered in corymbs of about 8 pieces. The diameter of the inflorescence is about 3 cm. The shade of the petals is light or pale pink. It blooms in spring and is a good honey plant. The hybrid species is quite demanding in care and planting.

Not a large shrub. The shoots are spreading. The foliage is alternate, about 8 cm long, the surface of the leaf is olive in color, and the inside is a less clear shade. Inflorescences on high stalks, about 5 flowers on one. After flowering, a fruit capsule with small seeds is formed. The aroma of the plant is similar to that of fresh strawberries.

Not volumetric tree shaped like a ball. The foliage is narrowed, dense, glossy on the outside. The leaves have a dark olive hue on the outside, and on the inside they have a chocolate hue with small fibers.

The inflorescences are about 7 cm in diameter. Beginning flowering, the petals have a pale pink tint, and by the end they acquire a rich White color. Flowering begins towards the end of spring.

Has a spherical bush. A hybrid plant from Rhododendron katevsbinsky. The species was developed in 1851. The height of the plant is about 3 meters. The foliage is medium sized and elliptical in shape. Inflorescences with a pink tint and purple spots. Flowering begins in late spring and lasts about a month.

Rhododendron planting and care

The planting location should be slightly shaded. Preferably the northern part. It is preferable to plant rhododendron in early spring, in the first months of spring.

Rhododendron is transplanted in the fall before the onset of frost. Also, transplantation can be done at any required period, only a month in advance before flowering, or after the plant has faded in a few weeks.

Soil for rhododendrons

The soil for planting should be light, loose with a good drainage layer. It is important that the soil is acidic and with sufficient fertilizer. High peat and loamy soil in a ratio of 8:3 are suitable.

It is necessary to avoid stagnation of moisture, otherwise the plant will die. The plant must be planted in a prepared hole about half a meter in diameter and the same depth.

To acidify the soil for rhododendrons. It is necessary to add recycled sawdust from coniferous trees or rotted pine needles.

At home, you can check whether your soil needs acidification. To do this, you will need to pour boiling water over currant or cherry leaves, and when the water has cooled, throw in a little earth. If the water changes color to blue, then the soil needs acidification, if it is red, then it is normal. And if the color changes to green, then the soil is neutral.

Caring for the plant does not require special skills, you just need to loosen the soil and remove weeds in time.

Watering rhododendrons

It is preferable to provide moderate moisture to the plant. Water must be settled or, if possible, rainwater. The soil should be moist to 30 cm deep. You can determine whether watering is necessary by the appearance of the foliage; if they become faded and dull, then moisturizing is necessary.

Rhododendron loves fairly humidified air, about 65%, so it requires frequent spraying of the leaves.

Fertilizer for rhododendrons

The plant should be fertilized from early spring until flowering ends in mid-summer. Fertilize with cow liquid manure along with water in a ratio of 1:15. Before fertilizing, the plant must be watered.

The most practical option fertilizers are used in early spring with mineral and organic complex fertilizers. During flowering with cow dung.

Autumn fertilizers for rhododendrons are necessary after flowering. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are suitable for this.

Pruning rhododendrons

The plant needs to be pruned as needed to create the desired shape. Pruning is done in early spring, before the start of the growing season. Dry shoots are cut off and old branches, about 4 cm thick, are rejuvenated.

Plants that have not overwintered well or are outdated must be completely rejuvenated by cutting off all shoots at a height of about 30 cm from the ground.

Sheltering rhododendrons for the winter

It is necessary to cover the plant if you have hot and frosty winters. To do this, the bush is covered with dry leaves and sawdust. And the shoots themselves are covered with spruce branches and insulated with burlap.

Insulation must be removed after the snow melts in early spring.

Propagation of rhododendrons by cuttings

To do this, cut cuttings from adult large plants about 8 cm long. Place them in a growth stimulator for half a day. And then they are planted in a mixture of peat and sand in a ratio of 3:1, then covered with cellophane, making a greenhouse.

Periodically opening for watering and ventilation. Rooting occurs up to 4.5 months. After rooting, the cuttings are transplanted into a mixture of peat and pine needles.

Reproduction of rhododendrons by layering

To do this, in the spring, dig a young shoot into a small hole about 16 cm deep and sprinkle it with soil, within summer period water, and when rooting occurs, replant separately.

Rhododendron propagation by seeds

The seeds must be sown in a container with prepared peat to a depth of about a centimeter. Cover the container with glass and periodically ventilate and moisten the soil. The temperature required for seed germination is about 15 degrees.

Rhododendron does not bloom The reasons may be different, the soil may not be suitable, there is little light, a lot of nitrogen fertilization, leading to the growth of branches and leaves, but flowering does not begin.

Rhododendron leaves turn yellow from excessive humidity in the root system, it is necessary to ensure moderate moisture.

Rhododendron doesn't grow due to lack of fertilizers, not acidic soil or the sun shines too much and the plant suffers from the heat.

Rhododendron sheds its leaves The reason for this may be dry soil, unsuitable land for planting, or your plant is being attacked by pests.

The rhododendron withers and the leaves turn brown The reasons are most likely dry air and insufficient spraying. There may also be excessive exposure to direct sunlight.

Rhododendron leaves are pale green with insufficient lighting, the leaves become pale and faded. The second reason is the lack of watering of the plant.

The buds of the rhododendron did not open the reason is increased air temperature, optimal temperature for a plant indoors it is about 16, and outside it is within 22 degrees.

Rhododendron leaves have turned black The cause was the disease chlorosis, which manifests itself when there is a lack of acidity in the soil.

When pests appear on the plant , it is necessary to treat the rhododendron bush with an appropriate insecticide.

Rhododendron is a highly ornamental shrub that belongs to the Heather family. There are a large number of varieties and varieties of this plant. In nature, rhododendron can be found in the form of shrubs and trees. Rhododendron: planting and care requires special attention from the gardener's side.

The height of rhododendron depends on its type and variety. Thus, highly decorative crops differ in leaf shape. I distinguish 26 species, which are divided into three groups.

Table 1 - Groups and types of rhododendrons

Groups	Description of groups	Variety name
Evergreens	These are shrubs that do not shed leaves even in winter. The foliage has a dark green color. The flowers are large and have a variety of colors. They grow mainly in well-drained, peat-enriched soil.	Daurian rhododendron is an evergreen bush that reaches a height of 2-4 m. The leaves are glossy, small size. Flowers are large, diameter does not exceed 4 cm, mostly purple. Flowering continues for a month. Excellent propagation by cuttings.
		Adams' rhododendron is a winter-hardy, evergreen shrub with a spreading crown. The leaves are green, ovoid in shape. The flowers are small, no more than 15 in one inflorescence.
		Caucasian rhododendron – low, evergreen shrub. The leaves are dark green and oblong in shape.
Deciduous	This is a shrub that sheds its leaves before the onset of winter. During the flowering period, the bush is completely decorated with flowers.	Canadian rhododendron is a shrub with dense branches, up to 1 m in diameter. It blooms in the first half of May, flowers up to 3 cm in diameter are bright lilac, sometimes white. In one year it grows by 15 cm.
		Rhododendron Kamchatka is a dwarf shrub no more than 0.3 m in height. It begins to bloom in the first half of June, the flowers are large in shape and have a crimson color. It can withstand temperatures down to -27 degrees. Prefers moist, well-lit areas.
		Yellow rhododendron is a deciduous bush, reaches a height of 2 m. It has small flowers of bright yellow color. The leaves are elongated, green in color. Yellow azalea blooms in early May.
Hybrid	These are varieties of rhododendrons bred by breeders by crossing different species.	"Azurvolke" is a hybrid, evergreen rhododendron. Reaching up to 1 m in height. Crown diameter is 1.5 m. Flowers are blue, sometimes purple. The leaves are oblong, up to 3 cm long and 1 cm wide, and have a dark green color.
		"Berry Rose" is a hybrid, deciduous shrub, reaching a height of up to 1.5-2 m. Green leaves are up to 5 cm long, up to 3 cm wide. It blooms in the second half of May and blooms until the third decade of July. Flowers are pink, up to 8 cm in diameter.
		“Blue Tit” is a hybrid, evergreen shrub, up to 1 m in height. It has a rounded crown, up to 1.5 m in diameter. The leaves are round in shape, bluish-green in color. Blooms in the first half of May. The flowers are lavender-blue, 3.5 cm in diameter. The variety is resistant to low temperatures.

The nuances of growing a plant

The place for planting rhododendron should be on a hill so that water does not stagnate at the roots. Azalea does not tolerate drafts and burning sun rays. On the north side, the plant must be protected from cold gusts of wind, and in the spring from the scorching sun. That's why good place for planting is northeast or north side fence, building.

Coniferous plants will become better neighbors for rhododendron. Plants with superficial roots will be unsuccessful: willow, maple, linden.

Shrubs will not grow in alkaline or normal soil. It should be acidic with a large layer of humus, without lime, and well permeable to oxygen.

Planting in open ground

Rhododendrons: planting and care in open ground require special attention from the gardener. So, before planting, it is necessary to prepare the material for growing. The best soil for a flower is a mixture of peat and clay in equal proportions.

Rhododendron planting procedure:

• a hole is dug up to 0.4 m deep and 0.6 m wide;
• a drainage layer of sand and pebbles 0.15 m high is laid on the bottom;
• then they are covered with a mixture of peat (most of it) and loam;
• the soil is compacted and a hole is made for the earthen ball of the rhododendron seedling;
• The roots of the seedling are lowered into the hole and covered with soil. The root collar should be level with the surface of the earth;
• after planting, the bush is watered abundantly with cold water;
• The top is mulched with straw, moss, and rotted needles.

In order for the plant to take root better, a few minutes before planting, the seedling is soaked in a bucket of water. And keep it in it until air bubbles disappear from the surface of the water.

How to care for rhododendron

The rhododendron flower requires regular watering, weed removal, seasonal fertilization and pest control.

The plant has a superficial root system. Therefore, when loosening the soil around the bush, a person must be very careful. Weed removal must be done only by hand, and digging up the soil under the plant is prohibited.

The shrub does not like heavy waterlogging, but requires spraying and watering daily.

Before planting in the chosen location, the gardener needs to make sure that groundwater do not come close to the soil surface. Otherwise, the roots of the plant will become oversaturated with moisture and simply rot.

Water for irrigation should be slightly acidified; for this, add 3 parts of sphagnum peat to a bucket of rain, spring, and settled water (at least half a day before).

The flower requires constant fertilization:

• in the spring, rhododendron is watered with nitrogen-containing fertilizers (50 g of ammonium is added per 1 cubic meter of land);
• in July, the amount of nitrogen fertilizing is reduced to 20 g;
• in 2 years, upper layer soil is renewed. To do this, mix peat with humus and sprinkle the soil around the rhododendron.

Only well-watered plants can be fertilized.

Flower propagation methods

In garden conditions, rhododendron propagation occurs by several methods:

• planting seeds;
• cuttings;
• digging in layering.

The most labor-intensive process is plant propagation by seeds. First, dry and healthy seeds are selected from the collected planting material, then they are sown in containers with a mixture of peat and sand. The top of the boxes is covered with polyethylene or glass.

Propagation by cuttings also requires some effort. To do this, a woody shoot is cut off from the bush, then cut into branches 0.1 m long. Then they are planted in a peat mixture and covered in the same way as in the case of seeds. The cuttings take root within 3-4 months, then they are transplanted into a separate container, then taken to a room with a temperature of at least +10 degrees. Planted in open ground in spring.

For propagation using layering, the lower branch of the bush is bent to the soil and buried to a depth of 0.12 m. This part of the bush is cared for in the same way as an adult plant is watered and sprayed.

Protection from diseases and pests

A beautiful and majestic shrub collects many insects under its crown. Dense shade and humidity are especially preferred by different types of snails and slugs. Therefore, the bush should be inspected daily and shellfish should only be collected by hand.

To avoid the spread of ticks, bedbugs, and scale insects, the plant is treated with Karbofos.

If the watering schedule is not followed and there is no drainage layer under the roots, the plant may become infected with a fungal disease. Bordeaux mixture is used as a prophylactic agent.

Rhododendron in landscape design

To enjoy beautiful flowers rhododendron for a long time, you can plant the plant in groups with different flowering periods. The best place for planting will be the area next to the fountain, artificial pond. Such ponds can increase the humidity around the bush, and the gardener will not have to constantly spray it.

Lingonberries, blueberries or other lovers of acidic soil will be good neighbors for it.

Rhododendron is for gardeners, those who love beauty and those who want to constantly care for plants. Only those whose site conditions fully meet the requirements of this beautiful flowering bush can not take care of the plant.