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Deciduous rhododendrons are one of the varieties of lush flowering plants. They are distinguished by a different configuration of sheet plates, the decorative effect of which is very attractive in any case. The second advantage of heathers is wonderful flowers of different colors, similar to bouquets. Rhododendron Cannons Double differs from other varieties in the color range of inflorescences.
Growing a deciduous shrub has its own nuances, which should be familiarized with in advance. With proper care, the plants develop beautifully and decorate the site.
Description of rhododendron Cannons Double
The main parameters of flowering plants that are of interest to gardeners are the size of the plant and its appearance. Rhododendron Cannons Double has very harmonious characteristics, thanks to which he received recognition and popularity.
The bush is low, but spreading. An adult rhododendron reaches 1,2 m. The diameter even exceeds the height and is 1,5 m. The crown is wide and straight.
Green leaf plates with a matte surface, narrow with a wedge-shaped base. The length of one leaf is about 10 cm.
The flowers are multicolored, double, tubular. The color varies, there are flowers of cream, pink, yellow shades. Up to 7-8 flowers are collected in one inflorescence, which exude a very pleasant aroma.
Cannons Double blooms very beautifully. Therefore, all costs and care measures are compensated at the time of flowering of the variety.
Planting and caring for Cannons Double rhododendron
The two most important points in growing a variety. The health and appearance of the rhododendron bush depends on how well they are performed. When planting, it is important to choose the right place, because the rhododendron grows in one area for a very long time. Care of the variety depends on the climatic conditions of the region, weather, soil composition.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
A very important step for gardeners. Cannons rhododendron variety is whimsical to the conditions in which it grows. On the site, a place is selected that meets certain parameters:
- It has good protection from the direct rays of the sun and gusts of wind.
- Acidic soil without stagnant moisture.
- The absence of large trees with shallow roots in close proximity to the rhododendron. For example, the roots of birch, linden, maple, willow dry up and thin the soil. Therefore, Cannons Double will feel uncomfortable next to them.
Seedling preparation
For planting, seedlings at the age of 3 years with ZKS are best suited. However, one- and two-year-olds also take root well, subject to the rules of planting. A plant with a clod of earth or in a container is first placed in a container of water. After the soil is completely saturated, the seedling is ready for planting. Plants without a container are planted in spring or autumn in September. Acquired rhododendrons with ZKS can be planted during the growing season.
Rules of landing
For the Cannons Double variety, a landing pit is prepared with a depth of 50 cm and a width of 70 cm. When planting in groups, 1,5-2,0 m is left between seedlings.
The bottom is covered with a drainage layer. If the pit turned out to be deep, the thickness of the drainage should be increased.
Pour a layer of soil 10 cm, put a seedling. Fill with soil.
The root neck cannot be deepened, otherwise the flowering of the rhododendron can not wait.
The planted plant is watered, and the near-stem hole is mulched with a layer of 5 cm. Peat, needles, and leaf litter are considered good material.
For a tall seedling, a support is prepared, which is removed after the rhododendron takes root.
Watering and top dressing
Care activities consist of actions familiar to gardeners. For the proper development of the bush, they must be performed regularly and in a timely manner.
Proper watering allows the plant to properly form buds. Rain or settled water must be used. Experienced gardeners advise adding a little high-moor peat a day before watering. The condition of the foliage helps determine the need for watering the plant. As soon as the shine goes away, and the leaf plates become dry, you need to immediately water the rhododendron. If the leaves curl up and fall, then this is a signal of overflow. 10-12 liters of water are spent on one bush with a regularity of 2-3 times a week. He loves the Cannons Double variety very much regular spraying, especially in the summer.
Top dressing is needed at least 3 times per season. The first must be done before flowering, the second when the rhododendron has faded, the third – at the end of July. For the first two, instant fertilizer for rhododendrons or “Kemiru wagon” is used. For one plant, 20-30 g of fertilizer or 2-3 g of “Kemira” diluted in 1 liter of water is enough. Additionally, 5 g of urea is added to the solution. The third top dressing is done with superphosphate (30 g) and potassium sulfate (15 g). It is important at this point to completely eliminate the nitrogen components.
Trimming
Pruning is needed for young Cannons Double rhododendrons to give the bush a beautiful shape. To do this, pinching the shoot next to the central kidney is performed. If the shape of the plant does not suit you, then carry out the standard pruning of the stems. Also remove all branches with a diameter of more than 24 cm, then process the cuts with garden pitch. Be sure to remove the buds in the first year of the life of the Cannons Double bush.
You can leave 1-2 buds to make sure that the selected variety is correct. Withered umbrellas are subject to pruning.
Preparation for winter
Before the soil freezes in autumn, the rhododendron is watered abundantly. The branches are bent to the ground so that they are well covered with snow. Pre-cover the branches with spruce branches. In the spring, the shelter is removed gradually. At first, the plant is allowed to ventilate, then gradually open in cloudy weather. In warm areas, only the root neck can be covered with peat or leaves. Deciduous rhododendrons winter well. Variety Cannons Double tolerates frosts down to -26 ° C.
Reproduction
The deciduous variety of rhododendron propagates vegetatively – by cuttings or rooting layering. Both are considered uncomplicated and give good results.
- Cuttings. Rhododendron cuttings are harvested in the middle of summer. The length of each chubuchka is 10-15 cm. The lower leaves must be removed. The cuttings are placed in Kornevin, then rooted in the mother liquor, creating the effect of a greenhouse. Future rhododendrons winter in the basement, and in the spring they are planted in the ground.
- Layers. A suitable branch is slightly cut, laid in a groove, fixed, covered with peat. It is important to constantly moisten the soil. The following spring, the new rhododendron is separated from the parent bush.
Diseases and pests
If you violate the agrotechnical requirements, then Cannons Double can be affected by fungal infections. Treatment with copper sulfate will help with rust and leaf spot. If cancer is found, then all affected branches should be removed and burned. For prevention, rhododendron is sprayed in spring and autumn with Bordeaux mixture.
Ticks (rhododendron and spider), thrips, scale insects, slugs – an incomplete list of parasites that can harm the plant. Insecticides are used against pests (according to instructions).
Conclusion
Rhododendron Cannons Double is a very beautiful variety of deciduous shrub. You can achieve lush flowering only by following the recommendations for growing. Therefore, choosing this variety, you should strictly adhere to the rules of planting and care.