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Rhododendron Lachsgold is a perennial, frost-resistant hybrid from the Heather family. The plant is slow-growing, by the age of 10 it reaches a height of 110 cm and a width of 150 cm. The hybrid forms a small, sprawling bush, which, in combination with conifers, will become an ornament to the backyard.
Description of rhododendron Lachsgold
Rhododendron hybrid Lachsgold is a perennial, unpretentious plant that forms a spherical crown of flexible and strong shoots. The variety has a feature that attracts flower growers – it changes the color of the flowers as they bloom. At the end of May, tender salmon flowers appear on the shrub from pink buds, as they bloom and until the end of flowering, the flowers turn into a yellow-cream color. The flowering of the hybrid is beautiful and long, the inflorescences adorn the plot for 20-30 days. The description of the Lachsgold rhododendron and easy care allow the variety to be grown by beginner flower growers.
Winter hardiness of rhododendron Lachsgold
Rhododendron Lachsgold is a cold-resistant variety that can withstand temperatures as low as -25 ° C. Thanks to these indicators, the hybrid can be grown in Central and Central Our Country. An adult plant does not need shelter, but for a successful wintering it is abundantly shed, fed and mulched near the trunk circle.
Planting and caring for rhododendron Lachsgold
Rhododendron Lachsgold is an unpretentious, perennial plant. Subject to agrotechnical rules, the shrub will decorate the backyard for 10-15 years.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Rhododendron Lachsgold is a photophilous plant, but when planting a seedling in an open, sunny area, the foliage can get burned, and the flowers can fade.
It is better to give preference to a site located in partial shade with diffused light and protected from gusty winds. The best neighbors will be apple, pear, pine, oak and larch, since these species have a root system that goes deep into the ground and thus they will not deprive the rhododendron of nutrients.
The soil for rhododendron should be nutritious, well air and water permeable. The shrub does not tolerate drought and stagnant moisture, so when planting a young seedling, you need to find a middle ground. It is also necessary to remember that the acidity of the soil should be in the range of 4-5,5 pH. If the soil is highly acidic, then the plant can become ill with chlorosis.
If the soil is heavy, then for the Lachsgold rhododendron, you can independently prepare nutrient soil: acid peat, soddy soil and pine bark are mixed in a ratio of 3: 0,5: 1. If the soil is highly acidic, then slaked lime or dolomite flour can be added to the mixture.
Seedling preparation
Rhododendron seedling Lachsgold is best purchased in nurseries at the age of 2-3 years. When buying, you need to pay attention to the root system. It should be well developed, without signs of rot and disease. A healthy seedling should have good tillering cuttings and healthy, well-developed buds.
When purchasing a seedling with an open root system, the plant is recommended to be kept for about 2 hours in warm water with the addition of a root formation stimulator before planting.
Rules for planting rhododendron Lachsgold
Spring is considered the best time for planting Lachsgold rhododendron, because before the onset of cold weather, the plant will grow the root system and get stronger. Seedlings with a closed root system can be planted in spring, summer and autumn. 2 weeks before planting, prepare the planting hole. To do this, a hole 40 cm deep and 60 cm wide is dug in the selected area. When planting several specimens, the interval between planting pits is kept 1-1,5 m.
- The bottom of the hole is covered with a 15 cm layer of drainage, then with nutrient soil.
- If the rhododendron is purchased with a closed root system, then the seedling is carefully removed from the pot along with a clod of earth and planted in a prepared hole.
- I fill all the voids with soil, making sure that there are no air voids left.
- The top layer is compacted and spilled abundantly
- Since the rhododendron has a shallow root system and is located in the upper, fertile soil layer, mulch is laid around the planted bush. It will retain moisture, save the roots from overheating, stop the growth of weeds and become an additional organic top dressing. As mulch, use tree bark, sawdust, dry foliage or rotted compost.
After planting a seedling, it needs to be properly cared for. It includes:
- watering;
- top dressing;
- spraying;
- bush formation;
- sanitary pruning.
Watering and top dressing
High-quality and regular watering affects the laying of flower buds. Irrigation is carried out with settled, warm water in the morning or evening. Watering should be plentiful so that the soil is moistened to a depth of 20-30 cm. Under an adult plant, 10 liters of water are consumed after the top layer of the water dries out. A young plant is watered more often, spending up to 500 ml of water per bush. Since the Lachsgold rhododendron does not tolerate drought and stagnant water, in hot, dry weather, the shrub must be sprayed after sunset.
After watering, the near-stem circle is loosened superficially, trying not to damage the surface roots. To preserve moisture, the trunk circle is mulched with rotted humus, straw or dry foliage.
Rhododendron Lachsgold begin to feed in the second year after planting. Fertilizers should be applied in small portions, in liquid form. Nutritional deficiencies can be identified by the appearance of the rhododendron:
- foliage brightens;
- stops growth and development;
- no bud formation occurs;
- the shrub loses its decorative appearance.
The optimal feeding regimen:
- at the beginning of the growing season – nitrogen-containing fertilizers;
- after flowering – ammonium sulphate, superphosphate and potassium sulphate are added;
- in early August – the bush is fed with superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
Trimming
An adult rhododendron Lachsgold does not need to form a crown, since the plant is able to form a regular, spherical shape on its own. But there are times when you need to remove frozen, dried up and overgrown branches. When pruning, use a clean, sharp tool.
Pruning is carried out in early spring, before bud break. The place of the cut is treated with garden pitch. 30 days after pruning, dormant buds will begin to awaken and the renewal process will begin. Old bushes are cut to a height of 30-40 cm from the ground. Anti-aging pruning, so as not to weaken the shrub, is carried out gradually. In the first year, the south side is updated, in the second year, the north side.
The Luchsgold rhododendron has one feature: in one year the shrub shows a lush and long flowering, and in the second year the flowering is poor. In order for there to be lush flowering every season, all faded inflorescences must be broken out so that the rhododendron does not waste energy on seed ripening.
Preparation for winter
Rhododendron Lachsgold is a cold-resistant variety, it can withstand frosts up to -25 ° C without shelter. Young plants in the first 2-3 years after planting are best covered. For this:
- In dry autumn, the plant is abundantly shed. Under each bush spend up to 10 liters of warm, settled water.
- The frost resistance of Luchsgold rhododendron can be increased by covering the near-stem circle with mulch from foliage, peat or rotted compost.
- After the first frosts, the crown is covered with burlap, having previously overlaid the branches with spruce branches and slightly pulled them together with twine.
- Shelter is removed in cloudy weather, after the snow melts.
Reproduction
Rhododendron Lachsgold can be propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, branches and cuttings. Since the Lachsgold rhododendron is a hybrid, it is possible not to obtain varietal characteristics when propagated by seeds.
Cuttings are an effective method of propagation. Lignified cuttings 10-15 cm in size are cut from the bush. The lower leaves are removed, the upper ones are shortened by ½ length. The prepared planting material is soaked for 2 hours in a root formation stimulator and planted at an acute angle in the nutrient soil. To speed up the appearance of roots, the plant is covered with a jar or plastic bag. The process of root formation is long, lasts about 1,5 months, so when propagating by cuttings, you need to be patient.
After rooting, the cutting is transplanted into a larger pot and rearranged in a bright, warm place. The following year, a rooted seedling can be transplanted to a prepared place.
Reproduction by branches is the simplest and easiest way, therefore it is suitable for beginner gardeners. In the spring, a strong, healthy shoot is chosen from the plant, located near the ground. The selected branch is placed in a pre-dug trench to a depth of 5-7 cm, leaving the top above the surface. The ditch is filled up, abundantly spilled and mulched. After a year, the rooted shoot can be detached from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place.
The division of the bush – the method is used after anti-aging pruning. Rhododendron Lachsgold is carefully dug out, trying not to damage the surface roots, and divided into divisions. Each part should have well developed roots and a healthy growth bud. A year later, subject to the agrotechnical rules, the young plant will begin to form young shoots, begin to grow, and may bloom in late spring.
Diseases and pests
Rhododendron Lachsgold has a strong immunity to diseases. But if the rules of care are not followed, the following diseases and pests may appear on the plant, such as:
- Rhododendron bug – the most common pest that begins to appear in the summer. In an infected plant, the leaf plate is covered with snow-white spots. Without treatment, the foliage dries up and falls off. To combat the bug, the bush is sprayed with the drug “Diazinin”.
- Mealybug – an insect can be found on foliage, buds and young shoots. After settling, the pest begins to suck out the juice, which leads to the death of the bush. For prevention from a pest, the bush is sprayed in spring and autumn with Karbofos.
- Chlorosis – the disease appears when a plant is grown on acidified soil, with a lack of nitrogen and potassium, as well as with stagnant moisture. When the disease appears, yellow or red spots appear along the edges of the foliage and near the veins, which grow without treatment. You can get rid of the disease only if you follow the rules of care.
Conclusion
Rhododendron Lachsgold is a flowering, perennial plant. Subject to agrotechnical rules, a lush-flowering shrub will decorate the backyard for a long time. Due to unpretentiousness and frost resistance, the hybrid can be grown in Central and Central Our Country for beginner growers.