Content
It is difficult to imagine something more like a gorgeous live bouquet with an abundance of blossoming flowers than a rhododendron. These tree-like shrubs will not leave anyone indifferent during the flowering period and, for good reason, are considered quite capricious and finicky to care for. At the same time, pruning rhododendrons is no more difficult than other flowering perennials. Although, depending on the cultivated variety, these amazing beauties in pruning have their own characteristics and subtleties.
Can rhododendron be cut
It is widely believed that rhododendrons do not particularly need pruning, since they are genetically inherent in the desire for an almost ideal bush shape. And many novice gardeners are so reverent about their promising plant pets that they get scared from the very thought that they need to pick up a pruner and cut something off from the most valuable specimen of rhododendron.
In fact, the experience of many gardeners, who have been growing all kinds of rhododendrons in their garden for many years, shows that rhododendrons can not only be cut off, but also necessary. Like absolutely all plants, they absolutely need regular sanitary pruning. Many varieties also need to be corrected in the form of growth. And more mature plants can't get away from rejuvenating pruning. It can sometimes be replaced only by a complete replacement of the bush. But not every gardener is ready to easily say goodbye to his pet, who has delighted him with his flowering for many years, just because he has completely lost his shape.
But, in order not to bring your flowering pets to such a state, it is better to keep track of all the nuances of possible abnormal growth of the bushes every year and help them by forming an attractive crown with the help of pruning.
On the other hand, rhododendrons, unlike many other ornamental shrubs and trees, do not always require mandatory pruning. Indeed, even during transplantation, thanks to the small and compact root system, their roots do not stop their activity for a moment. This means that when moving shrubs with a whole root ball, they do not need the subsequent traditional shortening of the branches in order to balance the “bottom” and “top” of the plants.
Why you need to prune rhododendrons
As in the case of almost any representative of the plant kingdom, pruning rhododendrons helps to solve many different problems:
- it serves as the prevention of various diseases and prevents pests from penetrating deep into branches or trunks;
- enhances growth and branching;
- helps the bushes to show themselves in the best possible way during flowering;
- increases the decorativeness of plants and reduces natural imperfections;
- allows you to annually enjoy the abundant and colorful flowering of your favorite bushes;
- helps to prolong life and beauty of many aging specimens.
When is the best time to prune rhododendrons
The most suitable timing for pruning rhododendrons depends most of all on the purposes for which this or that procedure is carried out. It is most optimal for most varieties to carry out different types of pruning at the very beginning of spring, even before the buds awaken. In some cases, this must be done in late spring or early summer.Most rhododendrons require special pruning after flowering. Finally, it is allowed to prune in the autumn, before the onset of winter cold.
How to prune a rhododendron
There is no definite average technology for pruning any rhododendron. The type, degree and even the time interval for pruning is chosen depending on the species (deciduous or evergreen) and the age of the plant.
All existing varieties of rhododendrons are usually divided into the following categories, differing in the types of pruning applied to them:
- deciduous small-leaved;
- deciduous and semi-evergreen large-leaved;
- evergreen small-leaved;
- evergreen large-leaved.
For plants of the first group, it is very important to carry out, from the very first years after planting, the annual pinching of the tips of young shoots in late May or early June to form a thick and beautiful crown. In the fall, and throughout the season, you can mercilessly remove all too frail and underdeveloped branches, as well as shoots growing towards the center of the crown. Rejuvenating pruning for shrubs of this group can be carried out 1 time in 5-7 years.
For rhododendrons of the third group with small evergreen leaves, formative pruning is especially important, which stimulates the formation of many young branches. These varieties, if desired, can be cut into almost any shape. Even to form neat attractive "balls" from them. True, this requires a lot of regular effort and attention from the gardener throughout the year and works best in warmer regions with mild winters.
In large-leaved evergreen species, strongly elongated and bare shoots are usually shortened in early spring in order to stimulate lateral branching. Rejuvenating pruning in large-leaved rhododendrons is carried out no more often than after 12-16 years.
How to prune rhododendrons in spring
In early spring, even before the buds swell, they usually carry out:
- sanitary;
- starting;
- formative;
- anti-aging pruning of rhododendrons.
In the middle zone, this period usually falls on the second half of March or early April.
After the main snow melt, it becomes approximately clear how the shrubs survived the winter. Sanitary pruning of rhododendrons consists primarily in the removal of completely broken shoots, which are trimmed just below the fracture. If the branch is not completely broken off, then if you wish, you can try to save it. To do this, the place of the fracture is tied with a polyethylene tape, and the shoot itself is tied to the upper branches or a supporting support is placed.
In deciduous rhododendrons, in severe winters, the bark may crack on individual shoots. In these cases, it is necessary to cut off all damaged branches to a living place.
Sanitary pruning also includes the removal of dry and frozen branches and leaves. But in many deciduous varieties it is not so easy to identify them before the buds swell. Therefore, you can wait a little and prune later, after the leaves have opened.
Initial pruning is usually done after the purchase and transplantation of a young shrub to a new location. For evergreen types, it is usually unnecessary. But deciduous bushes, if desired, can immediately be given a shape that is attractive to the eyes.
Spring pruning of rhododendrons is often carried out to form a decorative crown. In this case, either strongly protruding branches are removed, or those that grow deeper into the crown and unnecessarily thicken it. As mentioned above, in deciduous types, it is recommended to additionally pinch young shoots, especially at a young age.
Rejuvenating pruning begins if the rhododendron bushes grow so much that they block part of the pathway or shade the windows of living quarters. In this case, you should not cut off branches more than 3-4 cm thick, otherwise the bushes may die. Evergreen large-leaved varieties of rhododendrons are especially tender. Places of cuts must be covered with special garden paste or var. Already after 20-25 days, dormant buds may awaken on the branches below the cut and the bush will begin to overgrow with fresh shoots.
The next year, it is already possible to restore decorativeness and lush flowering.
It happens that it is necessary to carry out a strong rejuvenation, cutting off the branches almost to a stump. In this version, the branches are cut at a distance of 30-40 cm from the ground. But you should not cut off the entire bush at once. Deciduous species may survive such pruning, but evergreens may not survive and recover. Therefore, they usually cut about half of the bush in order to complete what they started next year.
How to prune a rhododendron after flowering
If you provide rhododendrons with competent and appropriate care throughout the season, then they will delight with abundant flowering and fruiting. But it was noticed that in this case, plants have some periodicity in flowering. Because they spend too much energy on the formation of fruits and seeds. If the bushes are grown exclusively for the sake of lush and beautiful inflorescences, then immediately after flowering, they must be carefully broken off or cut off. Usually, a faded inflorescence is taken with two or three fingers and slightly bent to the side. It breaks easily. You should only look carefully so as not to accidentally touch the young shoots that are formed at the very base of the inflorescences.
As a result, all the available reserves of nutrients in the plant will not be used for the formation of seeds, but for the laying of new flowering buds and the formation of new shoots. In addition, instead of one in place of the inflorescence, usually two or three new young shoots are formed.
How to prune a rhododendron for the winter
For the winter, only sanitary and sometimes rejuvenating pruning is carried out for rhododendrons. In terms of timing, it most often falls on the end of September or the first half of October. Depending on the region, this should happen several weeks before the onset of stable frosts and 2 weeks after the last feeding.
Pruning rhododendron in the fall is carried out most often in order to reduce the height of the bushes and ensure their full wintering under shelters.
Experienced gardening tips
In order for pruning rhododendrons to give the desired result, it is useful to listen to the opinions of experienced gardeners who have been successfully growing this luxurious shrub for many years.
- After any pruning, even sanitary, rhododendron bushes must be watered abundantly and fed with a comprehensive set of fertilizers. The only exception is autumn pruning.
- It is best to prune the bushes regularly, annually monitoring the correct shape of the plants. If for some reason the rhododendron has not been pruned for a long time, then you should not carry out a cardinal pruning during one season. Better to do it gradually.
- For formative and rejuvenating pruning in early spring, it is very important to grope for dormant buds and prune the branches above them. Dormant buds are usually small, pinkish bumps on the shoots and are fairly easy to feel with your fingers.
- If rhododendrons were grown from seed, then they should not be pruned at all before the first flowering. Otherwise, it can delay flower formation for another 2-3 years.
Conclusion
Do not be afraid to prune rhododendrons. For many varieties, pruning is the only way to get beautiful and attractive-looking shrubs. In addition, only the regular removal of the buds helps the abundant annual flowering of these beautiful plants.
