Planting and caring for rhododendrons outdoors
Rhododendrons do well outdoors, and many varieties remain green even in winter. But despite its unpretentiousness, the plant needs to create some favorable conditions for its growth.
Planting rhododendrons in open ground
Before you start planting evergreen flowering shrubs in open ground, you need to choose the right place for it. The site must meet such requirements as protection from wind and open sunlight, but at the same time, the planting must be in sight to please the eye and decorate the site during the flowering period.
Rhododendron grows well outdoors, when favorable conditions are created for it
You can start planting either in the middle of spring, when the ground has already warmed up enough and dried out, or in the fall. Before removing the root system and earthen ball from the container, you need to water them abundantly with water.
Landing takes place in several stages:
- A planting pit is being prepared, from which natural soil is completely removed. The size of the pit should be twice the volume of the root system of the transplanted seedling.
- A mixture is prepared, which in equal proportions includes heather soil, leaf humus, coniferous branches, rotted manure and peat.
- Drainage must be poured at the bottom of the planting pit.
- A previously prepared soil mixture is poured over the drainage layer.
- The roots of the rhododendron are placed in the hole so that it stands strictly upright and tramples the soil tightly around the root system. Air pockets should not be allowed to form at the roots.
- A layer of peat is laid on top of the soil as mulch.
After the shrub is planted, it must be watered abundantly so that moisture penetrates 30 cm deep into the soil.
Outdoor plant care includes the following:
- Watering. Timely, plentiful, but not excessive. Waterlogging negatively affects the health of the shrub. The main signal about the need for watering is the state of the foliage. As soon as it loses its turgor, becomes dull or even turns yellow, the plant needs moisture.
- Weeding. It is necessary to remove weeds in a timely manner, but do it very carefully. Since the roots of rhododendron are close to the surface, they can be easily damaged by loosening or mechanical removal of weeds.
- Mulching. A layer of peat on the surface of the soil will retain moisture and increase the acidity of the soil, which will have a positive effect on the condition of the plant.
- Fertilizer. Liquid form is preferred. It can be cow dung, previously filled with water and infused for several days. Top dressing is carried out up to 3 times during the summer season, from the beginning of spring to the end of the flowering period.
Flowering bushes have a beautiful and regular shape, but from time to time they also need to be pruned. In addition, dried or frozen branches, as well as faded buds, should be promptly cut off. This will preserve the vigor of the plant to form new buds.
Planting a rhododendron and caring for it in the open field is a standard set of manipulations that are not difficult. And the plant, in turn, will reciprocate and will decorate the garden with itself for a long time.