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Caucasian rhododendron
Caucasian rhododendron is an evergreen flowering shrub that grows up to 60 cm in height. When creating favorable conditions for him, it can delight with flowering twice a season.
Growing rhododendron in the garden
To decorate your garden with this stunningly beautiful plant, you need to learn some of the nuances of growing and caring for it. But in general, rhododendron can be called an unpretentious flower.
Caucasian rhododendron in natural conditions for itself can reach 1 m in height
When growing a shrub in your garden, you need to pay attention to its surroundings. Large trees with a developed root system should not be planted close, otherwise the flower will experience a lack of nutrients.
An important condition for the successful growth and development of rhododendron is protection from direct sunlight and winds. Therefore, if there are no buildings nearby, it is advisable to transplant a shrub or build a protective fence for it.
Watering the plant requires special attention. Despite its moisture-loving nature, the root system of a rhododendron can quickly rot with an excess of moisture
You need to water the flower regularly, but not overmoisten the soil, avoid moisture stagnation, and shelter from frequent heavy rains.
Rhododendrons need feeding twice a season. The first falls at the beginning of spring, the second – at the end of summer, immediately after the end of flowering. Optimal spring fertilization includes superphosphate, potassium sulfate and ammonium sulfate in proportions of 2: 1,5: 1, respectively. The last fertilizer consists of fermented grass or infused chicken droppings.
When and how to transplant a rhododendron
Transplantation of Caucasian rhododendron is carried out only in the spring or autumn. It is categorically impossible to transplant during flowering or immediately after it. Before you start planting an evergreen shrub, you need to find the most suitable place for it.
The area for the rhododendron should be in light shade, perhaps on the north side of the buildings, this will provide the plant with shade during the hottest time of the day.
It is undesirable to plant a flower next to linden and maple, since these trees have a developed root system, which will have a detrimental effect on the roots of rhododendron
A planting hole for planting is dug up to 40 cm deep and up to 60 cm in diameter. If the groundwater in the area rises too high, a good drainage layer should be laid on the bottom of the pit.
The soil for planting is prepared in advance by mixing peat, sand and completely decomposed cow dung. The mixture is poured over the drainage layer and then the seedling is placed strictly vertically there. The earth needs to be well crushed and watered abundantly, a layer of mulch should be laid on top.
The first year after transplanting, special attention should be paid to soil moisture, it should not dry out. It is not necessary to feed the plant during this period. Weeding and loosening are done very carefully, by hand, without the use of special tools, since the roots close to the surface can be easily damaged.
Transplanting and growing Caucasian rhododendron is not difficult. The plant is unpretentious and does not require special skills and knowledge.