Schlippenbach's rhododendron: planting, care and preparation for winter

Some people translate the word "rhododendron" as "alpine rose". This is no coincidence, because these flowers are so beautiful that even the Rose cannot be compared with them. Rhododendrons they easily adapt to different conditions, but they need moist air. The plant belongs to the heather family, so it can be difficult to grow such a flower. It is necessary to correctly follow all the rules of planting and care so that the plant feels comfortable.

Content

• Schlippenbach's rhododendron: description
• Planting material
• Plant species
• Choosing a site, soil and planting
• Care Tips
• Preparing rhododendron for winter

Rhododendron Schlippenbach: description

Experts believe that the ancestors of modern rhododendrons appeared 50 million years ago. When the Ice Age came to Earth, many plants died, including these flowers. Rhododendron began to rise higher and higher into the mountains with the advent of the Quaternary period, since there were no forests on the high-mountainous areas.

Features of the plant:

• The rhododendron shrub can reach heights of up to 5 meters.
• The leaves are similar in shape to wide ovals, their length is up to 12 centimeters, and their width is up to 6.
• If the plant grows in a meadow zone, then the leaves are light green, if the flower grows under the cover of the forest, then its foliage becomes darker.
• In autumn, the leaves turn purple and gold.
• The buds begin to bloom before the leaves.
• Inflorescences are umbellate, in one inflorescence there can be up to 8 flowers.

The variety of this plant - Schlippenbach's rhododendron - looks better than others, since it has very large flowers, reaching 10 centimeters in diameter. The color of the buds ranges from pink to white, but snow-white flowers are very rare.

Planting material

People who have been growing rhododendrons for many years are advised to take frost-resistant varieties, since in 80 percent of cases they give strong shoots. To acquire the seeds flowers can be either in nurseries or in agricultural complexes. You can buy already acclimatized seedlings from gardeners you have known for a long time. At the same time, you will find out the details of leaving.

Try to choose the species, not the varieties. Yes, sometimes it is the varieties that give beautiful flowers, but the species diversity is not much to compare with. The species is usually much more hardy than the variety that is bred from it. Of course, the best place to buy would be a garden center, but here you can also find disadvantages.

Plants are usually brought either from Holland or Poland.

Yes, they bloom very beautifully and will decorate the garden with their pale pink color, but such flowers will not live long - about one season. The fact is that in European nurseries, growing conditions are much milder, and they also apply hydroponics - growing plants not in the ground, but in a nutrient solution. Many new developments are being made in the cultivation of rhododendrons, but they do not make the plants more resistant to bad climatic conditions. Flowers can die in winter. They also cannot be kept in the apartment, since the water is too hard, and the air is very bitchy.

Buy a bush that is at least 4 years old - this is the key to good survival.

Pay attention to the size of the seedling! If its height does not exceed 15 centimeters, then the seedling was grown from seed in the open field, not in a greenhouse. Plants, which are approximately 25 centimeters tall, are grown by the method cuttings... They start branching from the roots.

Examine the leaves of the seedling. There should be no swelling or suspicious stains. Sometimes it is possible to examine the roots. No knots or wet spots should be present.

Plant species

If you are a beginner gardener, then I will approach 3 types that are able to tolerate a variety of hardships more than other rhododendrons:

• Katevbin rhododendron. It grows naturally in the North of America. The name of this species was given by the Katevba River, which flows through the places of accumulation of flowers. This species can grow in the shade, the best soils are slightly acidic. It can reach a height of four meters. The leaves are large enough, the color is dark green. This type of rhododendron has very beautiful flowers. Purple-lilac, they amaze with their tenderness.
• Japanese rhododendron. It grows on the island of Hosnu, its light mountain slopes are full of these flowers. The plant tolerates cold well, but loves light very much. You can propagate it seeds and cuttings... This plant can be compared to a blazing fire - its flowers are so bright, they are orange, large and smell very tasty. The flower is also very beautiful because of its leaves, which turn purple in autumn. This is the most beautiful species that can be grown in the climatic conditions of our country. The bush of such a rhododendron is very dense, there are many branches, the maximum height is 2 meters.
• Schlippenbach's rhododendron - was chosen by the forests of Japan, Northeast China, Western Primorye and Korea. The name has a very interesting origin - it is derived from the surname of the Russian traveler and officer - Schlippenbach. The plant is resistant to low temperatures, new shoots appear on it every year. You can propagate this species by rooting branches or seeds... The maximum plant height is a little more than one and a half meters. The leaves of the flower are wide, fall off closer to the ground, and in autumn their green color changes to yellow-red. The flowers are large enough, they are up to 10 centimeters in diameter, they are usually painted in a pale pinkish color with purple blotches.

Site selection, soil and planting

Plants grow best in acidic soils and will not die from excess moisture. Most rhododendrons love shade, they can be planted in a shaded corner of the garden. If you plant a flower in an open sunny area, then it may not bloom at all. However, if you can transplant plants, it will be helpful. Experiment with the landing site, choose the best.

Just remember that you can only transplant well-rooted plants.

The roots of the flower are close to the soil surface, so it will not be difficult to dig up and transfer the rhododendron to another place. Pay attention to the plants that will grow around your rosebush.

If trees grow nearby that have the same root system (superficial) as that of a rhododendron, then the flower will not receive sufficient nutrients. Do not plant a flower next to birch, willow, oak, maple.

If the species is deciduous, then it can be planted in an open area, but its growth will still slow down:

• Add a 3 to 1 mixture of peat and compost soil to the planting pit.
• It is necessary to plant rhododendrons in the soil up to the level of the root collar.
• Sprinkle 5 centimeters of sawdust on top.
• Be sure to spread the roots with your hands before planting.

Care Tips

It is very easy to care for the flower in the summer. You just need to remove the faded flowers, water it regularly and, if it is very hot outside, spray it with water. Remember that chlorinated tap water is not suitable for these flowers.They need soft water. The best option would be rain or running water. If you feed a plant before it blooms, after flowering, and in early fall, it will feel much better.

Be sure to mulch the soil under the rhododendrons. sawdust conifers a couple of times a year: in early spring (immediately after the snow melts) and in August.

Under the sawdust, the soil will not dry out; moreover, the sawdust will lower the acidity of the soil. Mulching will protect plants from harmful plants.

Preparing rhododendron for winter

In any region, you need to start preparing the plant for winter, but in each region the cooling time is different. In the middle lane, you need to start preparing flowers for winter in early August.

If autumn is dry, then the plant needs abundant watering - not less than 10 liters. Cover with burlap, tying the branches with twine, immediately after the onset of the first frost. The burlap can be removed only in March, after the snow melts. Need to ventilate bushes... Remove the canopy on a cloudy day, let the plant get used to the light, as the bright sun can burn the branches.

Cultivate plants are difficult enough. In the wild, plants grow from seed, but for growing in artificial conditions, it is also suitable grafting... Try to create conditions that are close to natural.

Remember that rhododendrons love moist soil and shade, drained soil and high nutrient content.

To cultivate rhododendron is not only to enjoy aesthetically, but also to help the plant survive in difficult conditions. Rhododendron will tolerate cold better and will be more resistant to changes in weather conditions.

More information can be found in the video.