Content
- 1 Description of the Kamchatka rhododendron
- 2 Winter hardiness of Kamchatka rhododendron
- 3 Growing conditions for Kamchatka rhododendron
- 4 Planting and caring for Kamchatka rhododendron
- 5 Selection and preparation of the landing site
- 6 Seedling preparation
- 7 Landing rules
- 8 Watering and feeding
- 9 Pruning
- 10 Preparing for winter
- 11 Reproduction
- 12 Diseases and pests
- 13 Conclusion
Kamchatka rhododendron is an unusual representative of deciduous shrubs. It is distinguished by good winter hardiness and decorative appearance. For the successful cultivation of this species of rhododendron, it is enough to fulfill a number of conditions. First, they choose a suitable place, then provide the plant with good care.
Description of the Kamchatka rhododendron
Kamchatka rhododendron is a deciduous branched shrub that belongs to the Heather family and the Rhododendron genus. In Russia, the plant grows in the Far East: in the Khabarovsk Territory, Sikhote-Alin, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka and Chukotka. It is also found in Japan, the northwestern states of America, and the Aleutian Islands.
The Kamchatka rhododendron grows in the tundra, cedar forests, on the rocks of the sea coast, it looks like a dwarf plant up to 35 cm high. The main branches are red-brown, densely spread, open. The rest of the shoots are straight, greenish or reddish in color.
The plant has large, oval-shaped, slightly elongated leaves. In the upper part, the leaf plate is rounded, tapering strongly towards the base. Above, the leaves are dark green and shiny, below - a lighter color, bristly. Their length is from 2 to 5 cm, their width is no more than 2.5 cm.
At the ends of the shoots of the Kamchatka rhododendron, 1 - 2 flowers bloom. They are large, 3-4 cm long, with a purple rim with a brown speck. The color of the petals ranges from pinkish and white to purple and bright red. Flowering begins in June-July.
Winter hardiness of Kamchatka rhododendron
The Kamchatka rhododendron has a high winter hardiness. The plant does not freeze in winter, sometimes the tips of the shoots die after cold weather. It tolerates a drop in temperature to -32 ° C without any problems. To protect the shrub from frost, it is important to properly prepare it for winter.
Growing conditions for Kamchatka rhododendron
Best of all, Kamchatka rhododendron develops in rocky areas. It is chosen for group and single compositions, borders, alpine slides. The shrub is of value in the design of gardens and parks, especially in the northern regions.
When choosing a place for a shrub, two factors are taken into account: protection from the wind and the absence of direct exposure to the sun. In nature, the plant prefers forest thickets, into which the sun's rays rarely penetrate. It is best to provide the rhododendron with soft, diffused light. The intensity of flowering depends on the exposure to the sun.
Further, the quality of the soil is assessed. Lowlands, where rain and melt water accumulate, are not suitable for growing Kamchatka rhododendron. The plant develops slowly in heavy clay soil. The best option is leafy soil with the addition of peat and coniferous litter. The permissible acidity of the soil is 4.5 to 5 pH.
Planting and caring for Kamchatka rhododendron
Before planting Kamchatka rhododendron, it is important to choose a suitable place and improve the quality of the soil. Then they begin to prepare the seedling. During the growing season, the plant is provided with good care.To protect it from winter frosts, preparatory work is performed in the fall.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Kamchatka rhododendron is planted along paths and alleys, next to water bodies or streams. Solitaire plantings are laid on the lawn. Bright pink flowers look spectacular against the background of evergreen trees and shrubs: pine, spruce, thuja, cypress.
To decorate a rock garden, a saxifrage, cinquefoil, thyme, and juniper are placed next to the rhododendron. It is better to place taller plants in the center of the composition, and plant Kamchatka rhododendron around the edges. Particular attention is paid to color matching. The flower bed can be decorated in pink tones. These shades are best combined with white, purple, purple.
After choosing a place for planting, the plants begin to process the soil. The garden bed is dug up, organic and mineral fertilizers are applied. Be sure to remove plant residues and other debris. Such work is carried out in the fall at the end of the summer season.
If the soil is clayey and poorly permeable to moisture, then coarse river sand is introduced. At the bottom of the planting pit, a drainage layer is arranged. Peat and any complex mineral fertilizer will help to increase soil fertility for plants.
Seedling preparation
Kamchatka rhododendron seedlings are purchased from trusted suppliers. Before purchase, the material is inspected to identify rotten areas, mold and other defects. Before planting, the roots of the cuttings are dipped in warm water, where a growth stimulator is added.
It is best to buy seedlings in the spring and immediately plant them in a flower bed. If this is not possible, then you can purchase cuttings in the fall. For the winter they are buried in the ground, sawdust is poured on top and covered with spruce branches.
Landing rules
Although planting work is carried out in the spring, a hole for the Kamchatka rhododendron is dug in the fall. This is necessary for the soil to shrink, which seriously damages the plants. In the spring, they wait for the snow to melt and the soil warms up. Depending on the region, cuttings are planted in May-June.
The order of planting Kamchatka rhododendron:
- At the chosen place, they dig a planting hole 60 cm deep and 30 cm wide.
- A mixture of broken brick and sand is poured onto the bottom. Layer thickness - 15 cm.
- Prepare a substrate consisting of sod land, peat and spruce bedding in a ratio of 3: 2: 1.
- The soil mixture is poured into the pit, then a bucket of water is poured.
- When the soil settles, a plant is placed in the hole. Its root system is not buried.
- The roots are covered with earth.
- A hole with a diameter of 30 cm is made around the bush.
- The soil is watered abundantly.
- The trunk circle is mulched with peat or needles. Boy layer thickness is up to 8 cm.
Watering and feeding
The main care for Kamchatka rhododendron comes down to watering and feeding. The plant is provided with regular and abundant watering. Moisture is especially important in drought conditions. For irrigation, use warm, settled water. It is brought in in the evening or in the morning, when there is no direct sunlight.
It is important to avoid moisture deficiency in the soil. The first signs that the shrub needs watering are drooping shoots, a matte leaf plate, the appearance of dark spots. It is best to use soft water: thawed or rainwater. Kamchatka rhododendron does not tolerate hard tap water. To soften it before watering, add acetic, citric or oxalic acid.
After watering, the soil is loosened with care. The roots of plants are on the surface of the ground, so they can be easily damaged. In addition, the garden bed is regularly weeded.
The intake of nutrients has a positive effect on the development of Kamchatka rhododendron. The bushes are fed according to the scheme:
- in early spring, rotted manure is introduced into the trunk circle;
- before flowering, they are treated with a solution of Nitrofoska or other complex fertilizer;
- after flowering, the plants are watered with superphosphate and potassium salt (40 g of each substance per 10 liters of water).
Young bushes are fed with liquid fertilizers. The minimum concentration is chosen. Substances must not contain chlorine or lime.
Pruning
Old and dried shoots are removed from rhododendrons annually. They are cut with a knife or secateurs. In the first year after planting, all the buds are cut off. This will allow the shrub to retain strength and grow stronger. You can leave 1 - 2 inflorescences to determine the color of the petals in plants. After flowering, collect the required number of seed boxes.
Preparing for winter
In order for the Kamchatka rhododendron to successfully endure the winter, preparatory measures are taken. In late autumn, until the soil is frozen, the plants are watered abundantly. Wet soil freezes more slowly and maintains the vitality of the bushes. Then dry oak leaves are poured onto the garden bed. Additionally, spruce branches are thrown over the bushes. In the spring, the shelter is removed when the snow begins to melt and the soil warms up.
Reproduction
For reproduction of the Kamchatka rhododendron, seeds or cuttings are used. In the first case, seedlings are obtained at home. A mixture of sand and peat is poured into a container, watered and seeds are distributed over the surface. At room temperature, seeds germinate in 3 to 4 weeks. Seedlings are regularly watered, kept in a warm and bright room. In the summer, the containers are transferred to the street. In the 3rd - 4th year, the plants are planted in a permanent place.
With vegetative propagation, the varietal properties of rhododendron are preserved. At the end of June, the lignified shoots 8 cm long are cut. An oblique cut is made from below and the leaves are removed. The cuttings are placed in a growth stimulant solution for 16 hours, then in a peat and sand substrate. On average, rooting takes place in 1.5 - 2 months. In this way, 80 - 85% of the cuttings take root.
The resulting plants are watered and fed with mineral fertilizers. The Kamchatka rhododendron is transferred to the flower bed after 2 - 3 years.
Diseases and pests
Kamchatka rhododendron can be seriously affected by diseases and pests. Plant immunity depends on growing conditions. With proper agricultural technology, the bushes rarely suffer from insect attacks and fungal infections.
The most dangerous diseases of the Kamchatka rhododendron:
- Root rot. The fungus damages the base of the stem and roots. As a result, the shoots of the plants wither and the leaves dry out. The disease spreads when growing bushes on slightly acidic and moist soils.
- Rust. It has the appearance of red or brown blisters that appear on the underside of the leaves.
- Gray rot. Signs of the disease are brown spots that dry out quickly. At high humidity, a fluffy gray bloom appears on the plants.
When signs of disease are detected, the affected parts of the Kamchatka rhododendron are cut off and burned. Plantings are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid or Fundazol solution. If necessary, the treatment is repeated after 10 - 14 days.
Rhododendron attracts weevils, spider mites, whiteflies, thrips. Insects feed on plant sap and inhibit their development. For pest control, a phosphamide emulsion at a concentration of 0.2% is used.
Conclusion
Kamchatka rhododendron is a beautiful shrub that can decorate any garden. When properly planted, the plant takes root quickly. This type of culture is unpretentious, frost-resistant, grows without problems in the shade. During the growing season, the rhododendron is looked after by watering and feeding.
