Rhododendron Schlippenbach: photo, growing from seeds, useful properties

Many wild shrubs were cultivated and became permanent residents of country gardens and city alleys. Schlippenbach’s rhododendron is one such plant. In the wild, the culture grows in Japan, China, and the Far East. Alpine rose, as Schlippenbach’s rhododendron is also called, blooms luxuriantly and brightly, but despite this, it has not received much distribution in Our Country.

Description of rhododendron Schlippenbach

The plant belongs to the genus Rhododendrons, heather family. This is a deciduous shrub that can be found in nature in the south of Primorsky Krai, in Korea, in the northern and eastern parts of China. This plant is a long-liver, can live up to 40 years or more. In Our Country, Schlippenbach’s rhododendron is listed in the Red Book, as the number of wild plants is rapidly declining.

In nature, the Schlippenbach rhododendron grows on rocky hillocks, hills, at the foot of the mountains. The height of a wild bush reaches 4 m, the length of a cultivated plant does not exceed 2 m. The leaves of the Schlippenbach rhododendron are thin, narrow, corrugated, wavy at the edges, rounded at the end, collected in brushes of 5 pieces. Their color in spring is light green, in summer – emerald, in autumn – red, orange, golden. The branches of Schlippenbach’s rhododendron are almost bare, with small leaves at the tips.

The flowers are large (their diameter often exceeds 8 cm) collected in inflorescences from 4 to 6 copies each. The buds are pale pink, closer to the center on the petals you can see small purple dots. In the center of the flower are long stamens, curved at the ends, covered with bright yellow pollen. The aroma of the buds of a shrub of this particular species is spicy and delicate. It is often planted in the garden due to this quality. Schlippenbach’s rhododendron over 6 years old begins to bloom in April-May, depending on the climate. In nature, the white Schlippenbach rhododendron is sometimes found.

After flowering, in place of the buds, fruits are formed in the form of an oblong box, which contains seeds. They propagate the plant more often and more efficiently than in other ways.

Winter hardiness of schlippenbach rhododendron

The culture tolerates winter frosts well. A decrease in air temperature to – 26 ᵒС and soil temperature to – 9 ᵒС is not terrible for her. In snowy winters, Schlippenbach’s rhododendron is able to retain its roots and shoots even at lower temperatures. Due to such frost resistance, Schlippenbach’s rhododendron is recommended for cultivation in the northern and central parts of Our Country.

Healing properties of Schlippenbach’s rhododendron

This type of rhododendron contains a large amount of vitamin C, organic matter, essential oil. Tea from the leaves of a shrub can relieve a hysterical cough, relieve asthma attacks. The plant will also help with high blood pressure, joint pain, chills. A warm drink from the flowers of the plant will help relieve headaches, relieve sore throats.

At the same time, preparations from Schlippenbach’s rhododendron are toxic against streptococci, pathogenic microbes of the intestinal microflora, and staphylococci.

It is necessary to use raw materials from all types of rhododendrons with caution.

How to grow a Schlippenbach rhododendron from seeds

If there are no special skills for propagating ornamental crops, you can grow a Schlippenbach seedling from seeds at home.

The seeds of the shrub are very small, but they have a strong peel, so they are soaked before planting in the ground. They take gauze in several layers, moisten it with warm water, spread the seeds on top in one layer. From above they are covered with a film and put in a warm, bright place for 3-4 days.

At this time, the landing containers are filled with earth. They take soil for needles, mix it in equal parts with peat, sand, humus. The soil mixture must be well rubbed so that the seeds sprout easily and evenly. In order not to infect the seed with fungal diseases, the soil is watered with a strong solution of potassium permanganate.

Seeding algorithm:

1. Shallow furrows are closed in the ground, seeds are laid in them at a distance of 1-2 cm from each other. Seedlings are not sprinkled with soil from above.
2. The landing container is tightened with a film or covered with transparent glass.
3. The structure is placed in the light in a warm place (the air temperature should not fall below + 20 ᵒС).

If all the rules are followed, and the seeds are of high quality, the cultivation of Schlippenbach’s rhododendron from seeds will be successful in 2-4 weeks, when the first shoots appear.

After 1,5-2 months after planting, real leaves will appear on Schlippenbach seedlings. When there are a couple of them, the seedlings are transplanted into separate pots or plastic cups. Containers with plants are cleaned in a cool place for hardening. The air temperature in the room should not exceed + 15 ᵒС. Lighting should be 12 hours, if necessary, use special lamps. Schlippenbach seedlings are watered regularly. The earth should be slightly moist, stagnant water should not be allowed.

When the temperature outside rises above + 5 ᵒС, the seedlings are taken outside for 15 minutes for a speedy adaptation. Over time, the duration of air baths before transplanting into open ground is increased to several hours.

In April, after the 15th, they begin planting Schlippenbach’s rhododendrons in open ground. By this time, the trunk of a small plant should be stiff, and there should be at least 7 leaves on it.

Planting and caring for Schlippenbach’s rhododendron

The shrub does not grow well and does not bloom in the shade. Direct sunlight can also harm the Schlippenbach rhododendron. A place for it is chosen in partial shade, near other undersized crops and fences. Schlippenbach’s rhododendron does not like the neighborhood of fruit trees with a superficial root system. You can not plant an alpine rose next to a birch, maple, willow.

Selection and preparation of the landing site

There should be hedges or plants around the Schlippenbach rhododendron, but not too close. They will protect the shrub from drafts that are detrimental to him. It is good to plant a Schlippenbach bush near a pond, it loves moisture. The soil is chosen acidic. A few weeks before planting, the earth is dug up, humus and peat are introduced. Immediately before planting, it is well moistened.

Seedling preparation

Before planting, the seedling is dipped in a container of warm water for about half an hour. After this time, the root is released from the container in which it is located. It is advisable to keep the earthen ball, not to damage the roots. The plant is ready for planting.

Rules of landing

Schlippenbach’s deciduous rhododendron is planted in spring, in April. Compliance with the rules of planting ensures that the shrub will take root and grow quickly.

Landing algorithm:

1. A hole is dug in size 2 times larger than the root system of the Schlippenbach rhododendron.
2. A small layer of rubble is placed at the bottom of the hole, which will play the role of drainage.
3. A soil mixture (soil, humus, sand, peat) is thrown over the drainage layer. The components are taken in equal parts, they fill the hole with them by a third.
4. The seedling is placed vertically in the hole, the root processes are straightened, they cannot be broken off or cut off with a shovel.
5. Fluffy soil is poured over the root, it is rammed.

Then the Schlippenbach shrub is plentifully watered, the trunk circle is mulched with sawdust, bark, needles.

Watering and top dressing

This plant is moisture-loving, the soil under it should always be moist. In summer, Schlippenbach’s rhododendron is watered every other day, abundantly. When normalizing the frequency of irrigation, they are guided by the abundance of precipitation in the warm season. If the summer is rainy, Schlippenbach’s rhododendron can be watered less often. In the south, it is important not to allow the soil to dry out.

In spring and autumn, 1 watering per week is sufficient. The Schlippenbach Alpine Rose responds well to soft water. You can water it with rainwater. It is also good to moisten the plant with a liquid with the addition of lemon juice. Such watering is carried out no more than 1 time per month.

In spring and summer, Schlippenbach’s rhododendron is fertilized 3 times. The first dressing is applied in April before the bush begins to bloom. In summer, fertilizers are applied after the flowers of the Schlippenbach rhododendron fall off. In autumn, the bush is fed no earlier than the beginning of October.

For top dressing I use any organic fertilizers: humus, peat, cow dung (diluted with water 1:10) or mineral, prepared specifically for all types of rhododendrons.

More than 3 times during the spring-summer period, Schlippenbach’s rhododendron is not recommended to be fed. This can harm its root system. For young seedlings up to 4 years old, special fertilizers with a low concentration of substances are taken.

Trimming

Prune Schlippenbach’s rhododendron, or as it is also called rosewood, immediately after flowering. It is not recommended to remove a large number of shoots, to shorten them greatly. You can not cut young green branches, the plant may die. Remove old, dried, broken shoots. The subsequent sanitary pruning is carried out at the end of September or in October, when they prepare for wintering.

Preparation for winter

At the end of October or in November, young Schlippenbach shrubs are wrapped up no older than 2-3 years. They are covered with spruce branches or wrapped with a special covering cloth. The trunk circle, especially the root neck, is sprinkled with a thick layer of sawdust (15-20 cm). Covering material is removed in the spring, after the snow has completely melted.

An adult Schlippenbach shrub does not protect from the cold. Before the onset of frost, the soil around it is mulched, the branches are tilted to the ground. In winter, after the snow falls, you can cover the plant with it, this is the best heat-insulating agent for horticultural crops. If the Schlippenbach rhododendron grows in a windy place, it is protected for the winter with branches or wire woven in the form of a hut. The shoots of the culture are quite fragile, prone to breaking off in strong winter winds.

Reproduction of Schlippenbach’s rhododendron

The culture can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, layering. An effective method of propagation of Schlippenbach’s rhododendron, judging by the reviews of experienced plant breeders, is considered to be growing from seeds. This method is described in detail above.

To obtain cuttings in the fall, after the end of flowering, strong, young shoots are cut from the shrub. They are divided into several parts, about 15-20 cm each. One end of the cutting is soaked in Kornevin’s solution for about an hour. Then, with the same end, the shoot is rooted in acidic soil. It is prepared in the same way as when planting seeds. From above, the cutting is covered with a film, put in a dark, warm place. It will take root in a month. In the spring, the seedling is planted in open ground.

Schlippenbach’s rhododendron is rooted by layering at the end of summer, after it has faded. They take the shoot they like, tilt it to the ground, attach it to the soil with a bracket in the middle, sprinkle it with earth.

Once a week, the branch at the attachment point is watered. By September, Schlippenbach’s rhododendron cuttings will take root. It is separated from the mother bush by cutting off the branch and carefully digging out the root. A young Schlippenbach plant is transplanted into a container with prepared acidic soil. In winter, they are grown indoors. In the spring, at the end of April, the rose tree is transplanted into open ground.

Diseases and pests

Schlippenbach’s deciduous shrub is resistant to diseases and pests. Rarely, it can become infected from neighboring deciduous or evergreen crops.

Rhododendron mosaic infection can occur with any species of this crop. The virus is carried by insects. Rusty, small spots, green growths similar to corns appear on the leaves. The culture slows down growth, the number of buds is reduced. At the first sign of the disease, the affected parts of the plant are cut and destroyed.

Of the fungal diseases that are dangerous for Schlippenbach’s rhododendron, tracheomycosis wilt is isolated. In case of damage, the root begins to rot, the shrub discards the browned foliage. In the spring, for the prevention of fungal infections, spraying with a solution of Fundazol (0,2%) is carried out. The root is watered with the same preparation. If the lesion is more than 50%, the culture is dug up and burned.

If the drainage of the root system is not ensured, phytophthora rot may appear from stagnant water. The branches of the plant turn yellow, rot, the leaves fall off. At the first signs of the disease, the bush is treated with a solution of Bordeaux mixture. If the lesion has affected most of the Schlippenbach rhododendron, it should be dug up and burned.

The spider mite is a common inhabitant of any garden and kitchen garden, with pleasure it regales itself on the young leaves of the Schlippenbach rhododendron. Due to the small size of the pest, they are detected when the leaves begin to turn yellow, dry out and crumble. You can destroy the insect if you treat the culture several times per season with a suitable insecticide.

During the flowering period, the buds of Schlippenbach’s rhododendron attack tobacco thrips. These are small pests of flowering crops. Insects can be controlled by spraying with insecticides.

Acacia false scale affects the shrub in early spring. It begins to wither, gradually dries up, and dies within a short time. The pest is destroyed with insecticides at the first sign of damage.

Conclusion

Schlippenbach’s rhododendron is a whimsical plant, it is troublesome to grow it. When planting, it is important to choose the right place, ensure regular watering, good drainage. Careful care and shelter for the winter require only young seedlings, younger than 2 years. As a rule, there are no problems with grown plants. If all the recommendations for planting and care are followed, the rhododendron will delight the owners with a lush, fragrant color for several more decades.