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Rhododendron Bloumbux is a hybrid plant of the Heather family. These dwarfs are the result of the work of German breeders. The variety was bred in 2014, received a license. Today rhododendrons are already popular with Russian gardeners.
Description of Rhododendron Blumbux
To understand what the Bloumbux hybrid is, you need to get acquainted with its description and characteristics. Rhododendron Blumbux is a dwarf evergreen shrub. At the age of 10-15 years, the plant reaches a maximum height of 1 m. But most often the rhododendron stops at 70 cm. But in width, the rhododendron grows by 1 m or more due to good branching.
The secret of the rapid development of the Blumbux rhododendron lies in a well-developed root system, which is able to extract the required amount of nutrients. The root is flat, but well branched to the sides. Blumbux takes root well in almost all soils.
The foliage of the Blumbux variety is green, small, oblong. The length of the plates is from 4 to 5 cm. Flowering begins in June while the leaves are still bright green. This stage is long, white-pink buds of the rhododendron Blumbux (diameter - 5-6 cm) can be admired for almost a month. The flowers are small, very tightly pressed against each other, which makes it seem that there are a lot of them.
Blooming rhododendron Blumbux is plentiful every year, because of the buds, foliage is almost invisible.
Winter hardiness of rhododendron Blumbux
Almost all rhododendrons, including Blumbux, are frost-resistant plants. If the trunk circle is well mulched to cover the roots, then the hybrid can withstand temperatures up to -25 degrees. In colder temperatures without shelter, the buds can freeze.
Growing conditions for rhododendron Bloombux (Bloombux)
Rhododendron Blumbux can be grown practically throughout Russia, climatic conditions allow. In winter, the shrub does not freeze at a temperature of -25 degrees. With a summer heat of 25-30 degrees, regular watering and spraying will be required early in the morning or in the evening.
Planting and caring for Rhododendron Blumbux
Planting the plant can be planned in April - early May or in the fall after Bloumbux has faded.
Transplanting flowering plants is prohibited. After flowering, at least 2 weeks should also pass.
Further care for the Blumbux rhododendron is not particularly difficult, since the plant is relatively unpretentious.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Rhododendron or azalea should be planted in a shaded area on the north side of the building. The soil needs to be drained and loose with a lot of humus. Blumbux prefers acidic soils.
The water should lie at a depth of no more than 100 cm. At a higher level of groundwater, it will be necessary to prepare a high bed for planting a rhododendron.
The best landing spot is near:
- larch;
- pine;
- oak;
- apple tree;
- pear.
In these trees, the root system goes deep, so it does not disturb the nutritional balance of the rhododendron.
But chestnut, maple, elm, willow, poplar, linden cannot be neighbors of the Blumbux rhododendron, since their roots are located in the same tier, and azaleas lack nutrients.
And this is how the rhododendron Blumbux looks like (photo is presented below), grown as a pot culture.
Seedling preparation
Before planting Blumbux seedlings in a permanent place, they need to be saturated with moisture. Water is poured into a large container, into which you can add potassium permanganate or any stimulant for the growth of the root system, and the plant is immersed in it. First, air bubbles will go, indicating that the root system is filling with moisture.
Landing rules
Planting stages:
- First, a hole is dug under the Blumbux rhododendron, at least 40 cm deep, about 60 cm in diameter. To fill it, you need nutrient soil, consisting of 3.5 buckets of loam and 8 buckets of high-moor peat. The soil is thoroughly mixed.
- Drainage is laid at the bottom, then a third of the soil. The mass is well tamped to remove voids.
- Then put the Blumbux rhododendron seedling vertically in the center and sprinkle with the rest of the soil. The soil is compacted again so that no air pockets remain between the roots. The root collar does not need to be buried; it must remain above the surface.
- Rhododendron Blumbux needs good watering, the main thing is that the soil is soaked 20 cm deep.
- To retain moisture, mulch is laid out in the trunk circle. These can be oak leaves, needles, peat or moss. The thickness of the mulch is 5-6 cm.
When planting several seedlings of Rhododendron Blumbux in a row to create a hedge or in single plantings, it is necessary to put supports and tie up the bushes so that the wind does not shake the root system. Before installing the support, you need to determine the direction of the wind and tilt it towards.
Watering and feeding
If it rains constantly in the summer, then watering the rhododendron Blumbux will not be required. In dry times, you need to irrigate the bushes at least every other day. The depth of soil soaking is at least 15 cm. Watering is carried out early in the morning or evening.
Weeds are recommended to be weeded out regularly, but under no circumstances should the soil be loosened. These are the biological features of rhododendrons.
Rhododendron Blumbux develops well in soil rich in humus and organic matter. Immediately after planting, it is recommended to water the seedlings with Argumin solution so that the plant takes root faster. To avoid yellowing, the planting leaves are fed with a solution of "Iron Chelate".
And now about the annual feeding regime:
- In early spring, organic fertilizers are added under the bushes, which include nitrogen. If mineral fertilizers are used, then for each sq. m you need to add magnesium sulfate (50 g) and ammonium sulfate (50 g).
- After the end of flowering, potassium sulfate (20 g), superphosphate (20 g) and ammonium sulfate (40 g) must be added to each square.
- In July, the rhododendron bushes Blumbux are fed with potassium sulfate and superphosphate, 20 g of each fertilizer per sq. m.
Pruning
Thanks to pruning, Rhododendron Blumbux can be given any shape, which is why the plant is widely used by landscape designers to decorate the site. The fact is that the plant is excellent for a haircut: the greens are preserved, the bushes do not get sick. During pruning, you need to remove the shoots growing from the roots, otherwise it will drown out the bush, and the flowering will be insignificant.
Pruning rhododendron should be done after flowering so as not to damage the flower buds.And you can transplant the bushes only 2-3 weeks after flowering or early in the spring, until the buds swell.
Preparing for winter
Like any cultivated plant, the Bloumbux rhododendron requires some activities in the fall. If there has been no rain for a long time and precipitation is not planned, then you will have to shed the bushes well. After abundant irrigation, the tree trunk circle should be mulched. Mulch will not only retain moisture in the soil, but also protect the root system from frost. The layer should be at least 15-20 cm.
In areas with a sharply continental climate, where in winter the thermometer drops below 27 degrees, the bushes are tied with twine, and then covered with spruce branches.
In the south, such shelter is not required.
Reproduction
Rhododendron Blumbux can be propagated using cuttings or lateral (root) cuttings. Seed propagation is unknown.
Cuttings
This breeding method is performed in the summer, at the end of July or early August:
- Cut the cuttings 6-7 cm long. The lower cut is made at an inclination of 45 degrees, the upper one should be straight. Each cutting should have at least 2-3 buds.
- Prepare a growth stimulant solution and soak the planting material in it for 12 hours.
- Pour a soil mixture of sand and peat into the boxes, water well.
- Plant the cuttings at an angle, cover the nursery with foil or glass. The greenhouse is ventilated 2-3 times daily.
- Typically, the root system appears in 30-35 days.
- For the winter, before the start of frost, the rooted cuttings, along with the nursery, are removed to the cellar, where they will remain until spring.
- In the spring, seedlings are placed in a permanent place. This can be open ground or large pots.
Reproduction by layering
This method of obtaining new plants is quite simple, because, in fact, nature itself works for the gardener:
- On a young branch that bent towards the ground, you need to make an incision from the bottom side.
- Next, dig a hole into which to lower a twig with a notch.
- Fix the layering with a wire hook so that it does not move, and sprinkle with soil.
- Tamp the soil and water well.
- After rooting, the layers are cut off and planted in a permanent place.
Diseases and pests
Rhododendron Blumbux can be affected by:
- Mealybug, bedbug and weevil. To destroy them, pesticides are used: "Aktara", "Fitoverm". If the lesion is severe, the bushes are re-sprayed after 10 days.
- When attacked by garden snails or slugs, you will have to work with your hands or set traps under the bushes.
- Spider mites are washed off with soapy water or fungicides.
Causes of diseases:
- If the site is swampy, excessive watering or feeding is carried out incorrectly, fungal diseases may appear.
- Intense heat and lack of watering lead to discoloration of foliage and stems.
- Doubtful shoots and leaves should be cut without mercy, otherwise you may lose all rhododendrons. The affected branches must be burned.
As a preventive measure, gardeners use Bordeaux liquid, spray rhododendrons with it in early spring (until the pollinating insects woke up) and in the fall.
Conclusion
Rhododendron Blumbux is an interesting plant that is gaining popularity among Russian gardeners. It is unpretentious, but due to its external data it fits perfectly into the design of any garden.
