Content
- 1 Description of hybrid rhododendron Roseum Elegance
- 2 Winter hardiness of rhododendron Roseum Elegance
- 3 Growing conditions for rhododendron Roseum Elegans
- 4 Planting and caring for the Roseum Elegance rhododendron
- 5 Reproduction
- 6 Diseases and pests
- 7 Conclusion
- 8 Reviews of the rhododendron Roseum Elegance
Rhododendron is a representative of the Heather family, divided into species, which include several varieties and hybrids, differing in the color of the inflorescences and the height of the shrub. Rhododendron Roseum Elegance was bred in England and included in the Katevbin group, the originator of the variety is Anthony Vaterer. The culture was created for use in landscape design.
Description of the hybrid rhododendron Roseum Elegance
An ornamental evergreen shrub rhododendron Roseum elegans grows in Japan, the Northern Hemisphere. In Ukraine it is known as Chervona Ruta. Rhododendron is found in the tundra, mountainous areas, grows in groups near wetlands. Rhododendron Roseum Elegance (pictured) is a sprawling shrub that grows up to 3 m in height, crown volume - 3.5 m. It has a decorative appearance throughout the year.
During the formation of the young crown, the color of the leaves of the rhododendron is dark red, as it grows, it changes to green. Vegetation in rhododendron is slow, the annual growth is up to 15 cm. The main increase is observed in the first 5 years, then the growth decreases, reaching the end point at 7 years. At this age, the plant is considered an adult. Outwardly, it looks like the Pontic Roseum rhododendron, but these are different types of culture, differing in the shape of the shrub and the color of the inflorescences.
External characteristics of the Roseum Elegance rhododendron:
- Branched bush, strongly spreading, rounded shape, closed from below. The branches are of medium thickness, light green, smooth. Young shoots are one tone lighter than skeletal branches.
- The root system of the large size is fibrous, close to the soil surface, the root circle is wide.
- The leathery leaves are opposite, in the form of an elongated narrow oval, the surface is glossy. Young leaves are dark red, after full formation they acquire a rich green color. The length of the plate is 9-10 cm, the width is 7 cm.
- The flowers look like a wide funnel, bright pink with dark blotches at the base, 8 cm in diameter, slightly wavy edges, pink-purple stamens. Collected in dense rounded inflorescences of 20 pieces.
- The fruit is a capsule with small black seeds.
Roseum Elegance blooms in June and lasts about 20 days. Intense flowering, the shrub is completely covered with flowers. Rhododendron is used in design as a single plant and as a hedge. Create a composition with decorative coniferous trees and shrubs.
Rhododendron Roseum Elegance does not tolerate open areas well, the culture is not drought-resistant, therefore, burns on inflorescences and leaves with an excess of ultraviolet radiation are possible. If the plant is planted in an area without shading, constant watering and sprinkling is required.
Winter hardiness of rhododendron Roseum Elegance
The Roseum Elegance variety belongs to the most frost-resistant representatives of the culture. Winters without additional shelter at -32 0C. Good resistance to temperature changes.During spring thaws, sap flows and a sharp drop in temperature, for example, to -8 0C causes the juice to freeze, this process is not terrible for rhododendron. After defrosting, the enlarged sap does not break the bark, so the woody structure is not destroyed. The plant is not damaged, the growing season continues as usual.
According to the description of rhododendron, Roseum Elegance belongs to the 3,4 zone of frost resistance. The culture is grown in Eastern Siberia and the Urals (zone number 3). The plant feels comfortable in Central Russia, Moscow region, St. Petersburg (zone No. 4). Suitable for decorating plots in Central Russia.
Growing conditions for rhododendron Roseum Elegans
Despite the fact that the rhododendron Roseum Elegance is a culture with low drought resistance, the shrub does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil. For planting, choose loose, light, fertile soils with satisfactory drainage.
In their natural environment, Heathers grow in wetlands, but hybrids do not respond well to the proximity of groundwater. An acidic soil composition is suitable for rhododendron. The plant feels comfortable under the crown of coniferous trees. An open sunny area for a plant is not suitable, so the south side is not considered for planting.
The plant is frost-resistant, but does not tolerate the influence of the north wind. According to gardeners, the best option for the Roseum Elegance hybrid rhododendron will be the north side behind the wall of the building. This landing will exclude drafts and direct sunlight. To maintain the necessary moisture, the root circle is mulched every spring. To preserve the decorative effect of the bush, after flowering, the inflorescences are removed.
Planting and caring for the Roseum Elegance rhododendron
The Roseum Elegance hybrid tolerates transplantation and takes root quickly. Due to its frost resistance, the rhododendron varieties are grown in regions with cold winters, so planting work is carried out only in spring. The agricultural technology of the culture is standard, it consists in watering, timely feeding and preparing the plant for winter.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
The shrub is planted in partial shade from the north side, the rhododendron feels comfortable near water bodies, but on the condition that the soil is not waterlogged. A week before planting, a site is prepared:
- Dig up, remove the roots of the weed.
- Wide, but shallow landing grooves are prepared, if the landing is performed in a line, the interval between the holes is 2 m.
- Drainage is placed on the bottom, sour peat mixed with oak leaves on top.
Seedling preparation
Before placing in a permanent place, residues of soil are completely removed from the root system of the planting material of rhododendron. The seedling is placed in a 5% manganese solution, then in a growth stimulator. Before planting, check the condition of the root, if necessary, remove damaged areas. If the planting material is grown independently, it is planted at the age of one year, two-year-old seedlings are purchased in the nursery.
Planting rules for rhododendron Roseum Elegance
A concentrated clay solution is preliminarily prepared, the root is dipped into it immediately before planting. Algorithm of actions:
- A stake is driven in the center of the hole to fix the seedling.
- Gently spread the roots along the bottom of the groove.
- Top up with a mixture of sand and peat, tamp the soil.
- The seedling is fixed to the support, watered.
After planting, the root circle is mulched with needles or last year's leaves. Compost is not recommended.
Watering and feeding
The first top dressing is given to the shrub in the spring before flowering. They use special fertilizers for rhododendrons. After flowering, phosphate fertilizers are applied. Organic matter is used to a minimum. Watering is oriented towards seasonal precipitation; two waterings per week are enough for a plant.In dry weather, sprinkling is carried out at night. If the air humidity is low, the tops of the leaves dry out, sprinkling is carried out every day.
Pruning
Cardinal pruning of the Roseum Elegance rhododendron is carried out in early August. It is used to form a crown and is a protection against damage to young branches by a mass of snow. Annual shoots are cut to 1/3 of the main length. Faded inflorescences are removed. In early spring, dry fragments are removed, sanitary cleaning of the bush is carried out.
Preparing for winter
The Roseum Elegance hybrid is a frost-resistant plant. Before wintering, an adult shrub is given water-charging watering and the root circle is mulched with a layer of mulch (15 cm). For young seedlings, a shelter for the winter is relevant:
- The branches are neatly attached to the main trunk, fixed.
- Wrap on top with any material that does not allow moisture to pass through.
- Mulch.
- Cover with spruce branches.
If the seedling is not tall, after mulching, they install arcs, stretch the film, cover it with leaves or coniferous branches on top, and in winter the structure is covered with snow.
Reproduction
The hybrid rhododendron Roseum Elegans reproduces vegetatively and generatively. Seed propagation is rarely used. The growing season before the first flowering is too long. The advantage of this method is the large amount of planting material. To obtain seedlings, the seeds are sown in a container with a nutrient substrate and covered with a film on top. After germination, young shoots dive into separate containers and leave in a shaded place.
Rhododendron grown from seeds will not bloom until the age of six. The most effective and fastest method is vegetative. Cuttings are carried out in June according to the following scheme:
- Cut the material from the tops of two-year-old shoots 10 cm long.
- The cut is made oblique, the lower leaves are removed, the cuttings are placed in a growth stimulator for 2 hours.
- They are planted in a mini-greenhouse, maintain constant air and soil humidity.
- By the fall, the rhododendron should take root, it is transplanted into a container and brought into a room for the winter with a temperature of no higher than +5 0C.
In the spring, they are placed in a permanent place. Rhododendron Roseum Elegance tolerates transplantation, quickly takes root in a new site. You can propagate a culture using layering. To obtain planting material, the lower branch is bent, fixed to the soil surface, and covered with earth. Work is carried out in the spring before sap flow. Throughout the season, the layers are watered. Next spring, the material is ready for separation and transplantation.
Diseases and pests
Roseum elegans rarely gets sick and is damaged by pests. The appearance of a fungal infection can provoke the accumulation of moisture in the soil. With high humidity and a sharp drop in temperature, chlorosis or leaf spot develops, in this case, treatment with Bordeaux liquid is necessary. With a deficiency of nutrients, leaf curling is observed, the plant must be fed.
Of the garden pests on the bush, the rhododendron bug parasitizes, it is eliminated with Diazonin. The mealybug feeds on the sap of the leaves, covering them with a dense white bloom. In the fight against the pest, "Karbofos" is used. A spider mite is less common, the bush is treated with Agrovertin.
Conclusion
Rhododendron Roseum Elegance belongs to the Katevbin variety. It is a tall, spreading shrub with a decorative appearance. During the flowering period, the crown is completely covered with spherical bright pink inflorescences. The culture is frost-resistant, evergreen, widely used for landscape design in regions with a temperate climate.
