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Rhododendron Percy Weissman is a beautifully flowering evergreen hybrid based on Japanese wild plants. The Yakushiman species in its natural state is distributed in the mountains, it is winter-hardy and moisture-loving. A feature of varieties of Japanese rhododendrons is the development in the shade, under the canopy of tall, but not fruit trees.
Description of Rhododendron Yakushimanskogo Percy Weissman
Compact shrub rhododendron Percy Weissman, as in the photo, is only 90-100 cm high. The roots of the plant are superficial, well-branched, located at a depth of 35-40 cm. . The crown is round, spreading, spreading up to 70-80 m. Over the year, the shoots grow up to 1,3-1,5 cm.
The elliptical dark green leaves have a pointed tip. The leaf blade is dense, leathery, glossy on top, 7-8 cm long, 3-3,5 cm wide. The leaves of the plant burn out in the sun. The leaves of the variety live 3-4 years. Aged leaf blades turn yellow, curl and fall off. This natural process occurs on the lower branches. If the upper leaves begin to fade, the bush may not have enough moisture, nutrition, or diseases develop.
Funnel-shaped flowers of rhododendron – 5 cm in diameter are collected in shields. Blooming buds in the amount of 13-15 pieces form lush spherical inflorescences. Unopened corollas are pink, the petals are white with different tints of pink along the edges and a yellow-golden hue in the center. On some petals there is a golden speck. Gradually, as it fades, the pink tone turns into cream. The delicate flowers of the Percy Weissman variety are given special sophistication by long, light stamens with darker anthers.
Winter hardiness of Rhododendron Percy Wiseman
Yakushimansky rhododendron attracted breeders with its winter hardiness. Under natural conditions, the plant is located at an altitude of up to 2 km. Its hybrids are able to withstand long frosts down to -21°C, and short-term frosts even down to -29°C.
Conditions for Growing Rhododendron Percy Weissman
The plant has inherited the characteristics of wild plants. For good development, Percy Weissman’s rhododendron hybrid needs:
- acidic, permeable soil;
- semi-shady area, without direct sunlight, especially in late winter and early spring;
- regular hydration.
Planting and Caring for Rhododendron Percy Weissman
Culture is planted in early spring. Shrubs in containers are also moved in summer.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
For rhododendron, choose a place protected from drafts. The plant is very decorative, so you should take care of a good imported substrate if alkaline soils prevail in the territory. The acidity of the soil is in the range of pH 4,5-5,5. Saplings develop well in the openwork shade of pines and other conifers with a rare crown.
Seedling preparation
When purchasing a rhododendron, they monitor the good condition of the leaves and branches, they should be free of breaks and scratches. Seedlings in containers are placed in a bucket of water so that the roots come out of the container without damage. An earthen lump is advised to destroy around the perimeter in order to release all the thin roots. Buds and flowers are removed. An open root system should have many processes.
Rules of landing
When placing a Percy Weissman seedling, follow these requirements:
- for rhododendron, they dig a hole with a diameter of at least 70 cm, a depth of 40-50 cm;
- the drainage layer is high – up to 15-20 cm;
- the substrate is made up of equal parts of peat and sand, 2 parts of garden or forest land, mixing leaf compost;
- a seedling is placed in the prepared soil, paying attention to the fact that the root neck should be located 3-6 cm above ground level;
- after the first watering, the trunk circle is mulched with peat, any coniferous litter from the forest, crushed pine bark.
Watering and top dressing
According to the description, the Percy Weissman rhododendron is a moisture-loving plant, and the bush is provided with regular watering of 10 liters. Seedlings are moistened every other day, adult bushes – after 2-3 days. During dry periods, evening sprinkling is carried out. Particular attention is paid to the bushes after flowering, during the laying of flower buds. The earth must be constantly moistened so that the bush has enough resources to absorb the nutrients from the mulch.
Rhododendrons do not feed with humus. It is better to purchase special mineral preparations for acidophiles, including top dressing for coniferous plants. Usually, such products contain substances that acidify the soil, which contributes to the comfortable development of rhododendrons. All fertilizers are applied until the end of June or until July 3-5. Granular preparations are scattered along the diameter of the near-stem circle directly on the mulch, and then watered abundantly.
Trimming
The undersized variety Percy Weissman is not pruned regularly. In spring and autumn, sanitary cleaning of damaged branches is carried out. Rhododendron bushes tolerate shaping, and it is carried out, if necessary, only 3 years after planting.
Preparation for winter
In October or November, depending on the weather, rhododendrons mulch. The mulch used during the summer is not changed, it gradually overheats and becomes a top dressing for the bush. In autumn, new acidic peat, needles, and sawdust are added on top. A layer of mulch 7-10 cm high should cover the soil well to keep the surface roots of the Percy Wiseman variety from freezing. From above, the bush is covered with a wire pyramid, which serves as a frame for mats made of natural materials, burlap, agrotextiles.
Shelter from rhododendrons is removed with the advent of warm days. In March, a dense covering material is removed, leaving agrofibre, which will protect the leaves from bright sunlight.
Reproduction
Percy Weissman’s varietal rhododendrons are propagated only by layering, cuttings and grafting to preserve their characteristics. Semi-woody branches are cut from the 20th of June. The length of the fragments is 6-10 cm, with an oblique cut from below, 2-3 leaves from above. They are treated with special stimulants according to the instructions and planted in a wet substrate from a mixture of peat, sand or sawdust. The rooting of the evergreen rhododendron occurs after 3-4 months, subject to high humidity and a temperature of 24-26 ° C. 80-85% of cuttings take root. Saplings grow 2 years.
For layering, the lower branch of the Percy Weissman variety is added dropwise, fixed with a bracket, the top remains above the ground. Sprouts appear in 1,5-2 months, are characterized by weak roots, require constant moist soil, mulching with layers of moss. New plants are best left in the same place until the next warm season. Growing is carried out in containers. According to the observations of flower growers, rhododendron seedlings obtained from layering are slowly developing.
Vaccinations are carried out in special greenhouses, the required temperature and sufficient air humidity are carefully monitored.
Diseases and pests
If all the requirements for planting and caring for the Yakushiman Percy Weissman rhododendron are met, the bush does not suffer from diseases. Taking care of the good development of a capricious ornamental plant, they annually carry out early spring prophylaxis with Fundazol, and in summer with Fitosporin. Often yellowish spots appear on the leaves of rhododendrons for other reasons:
- suffer from a lack of nutrients such as potassium, iron, magnesium and nitrogen;
- stagnation of water formed at the roots;
- the acid reaction of the soil has shifted to alkaline.
Rhododendrons are fed with iron or magnesium sulfates, potassium nitrate or ammonium. The leaves are damaged by many insects (beetle, mining moth, weevil, bug), as well as spider mites, which are fought with insecticides and acaricides.
Conclusion
Rhododendron Percy Weissman will give a profuse and reliable annual flowering if the bush is provided with the necessary conditions for development. Acidic soil, seasonal mulch renewal, constant watering, sun protection are the main requirements in caring for an ornamental plant.
