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It is impossible to imagine a garden without flowers. And if roses, dahlias and peonies are considered the most common plants, which delight almost all summer with their beautiful inflorescences, then rhododendron is a rather rare and unusual shrub plant that is less common. It is easy to explain its low popularity among gardeners, because it is a capricious and heat-loving plant that requires a lot of attention. And, unfortunately, rhododendron does not bloom if it is not properly cared for. But having found an approach to it, for many gardeners, growing rhododendron grows into a hobby.
How does rhododendron bloom?
Rhododendron belongs to the Heather family of plants. This name hides more than 800 species, which are divided into evergreen, deciduous and semi-deciduous shrubs, and even trees.
Depending on the species, this shrub has different inflorescences, which differ from each other not only in color, but also in size and shape. In different plant varieties, the flowers can be funnel-shaped, tubular, wheel-shaped or bell-shaped.
The most widespread among Russian flower growers is a deciduous species called azalea. Its flowers are quite large and of various colors, often pink and lilac. White, yellow and red inflorescences are no less popular.
Azaleas of most varieties have an unusual but very pleasant aroma when flowering.
When does rhododendron bloom?
The duration and flowering period of rhododendron completely depend on climatic conditions, proper care, as well as on the selected plant variety. But if you look at the physiology, then many types of rhododendron are spring, their flowering period falls between April and June. Some varieties may bloom again between August and October.
If a young purchased seedling is planted correctly and with proper care, it will bloom no earlier than in 4 years. If an adult plant was purchased, then flowering can be expected earlier. But when planting seeds, wait for rhododendron to bloom only after 5-7 years.
How long does it take for rhododendron to bloom?
The flowering time of rhododendrons varies and also depends on the type of plant. But it is worth noting that the following factors can also influence the duration of flowering:
- climatic conditions;
- temperature;
- light exposure;
- soil nutrition;
- plant age.
On average, rhododendron blooms from 16 to 20 days. Hardier types of rhododendron can bloom for quite a long time - up to 45 days.
How many times does rhododendron bloom?
Gardeners who are keen on growing rhododendrons know that this plant delights with its abundant spring blooms every year. Moreover, almost all species bloom once during the growing season before and during the leaf blooming period, with the exception of some species. For example, rhododendron acuminate may begin to bloom again in August, but this flowering is rather weak, unlike the first one in spring.
Why does the evergreen rhododendron not bloom?
Growing rhododendron in the garden is quite a troublesome task, requiring not only special attention, but also proper experience. In some cases, amateur gardeners, captivated by the beauty of this shrub, after planting, cannot understand when and how the rhododendron will bloom. And if this process does not occur for a long time, it is worth finding the reasons why rhododendron does not bloom in the garden. In fact, there are many such reasons, and among the most common are the following:
- Wrong choice of landing site. Many gardeners, knowing the capriciousness of this plant, try to give it the best place in the sun. In fact, rhododendron naturally grows in the undergrowth, where it is protected from direct sunlight.
- Failure to comply with landing rules. The soil for rhododendron should be acidic, rich in humus and well saturated with oxygen. The depth of the hole for planting should not exceed 40 cm, and the diameter should not exceed 60 cm. The root collar of the plant should be flush with the soil surface after planting. After planting, if the soil is dry, you need to pour plenty of warm water under the root.Be sure to mulch 5-7 cm with peat, rotted pine needles or leaves; crushed oak bark is also suitable.
- Incorrect feeding. Fertilizers must be applied to the soil at least 3 times per season. The first feeding is carried out in early spring, then fertilizers are added at the end of flowering, the last feeding is carried out in mid-July. As fertilizers, it is best to use an acidic composition (superphosphate - 10 parts, ammonium - 9, potassium - 4, magnesium - 2).
- Excess nitrogen fertilizers. During the flowering period, excess nitrogen in the soil can lead to the growth of branches, but not to the formation of buds.
- Incorrect watering. Rhododendron requires special watering using acidified water. Using plain water can lead to alkalization of the soil, which will adversely affect the plant. To properly acidify water, add 3-4 g of citric or oxalic acid to 10 liters of water.
What to do if rhododendron does not bloom
There are cases when rhododendron was acquired as a fairly mature seedling and after planting in the first year it bloomed well, but in subsequent years flowering did not occur. In fact, there are quite a few reasons for stopping flowering, as described above. And before you start taking any action, you should first figure out why exactly the flowering was stopped.
First you need to check the acidity of the soil.After all, maybe in the first year the rhododendron bloomed due to the fact that it had enough nutrients obtained from the peat clod in which its roots were located after transplantation. As the root system grew, the roots began to colonize the soil in which they found themselves. And with insufficient soil acidity, the plant no longer receives the necessary substances for proper growth and flowering.
The soil acidity level for the normal development of this plant should be pH 3.5-5. Therefore, to improve the composition of the soil and increase its acidity, you can use organic fertilizers, such as:
- high-moor sphagnum peat;
- rotted leaves and needles;
- grass, straw or hay;
- loam, rotted manure.
If the soil is quite acidic, but the rhododendron still does not tend to bloom, it may not be suitable for the place where it was transplanted. It is important to choose not only a place with diffused sunlight, but also sufficiently protected from the winds. Particularly unfavorable places for rhododendron growth are open areas and areas near the corners of buildings, where there are always through winds. It is also undesirable for this plant to be adjacent to trees and shrubs that have a superficial root system:
- beech;
- maple;
- Linden;
- willow;
- alder.
If this planting rule has been violated, it is recommended to choose another location and replant the plant.
Lack of feeding can lead to starvation of the plant, which will certainly affect its flowering. Therefore, it is necessary to fertilize the soil in early spring and after flowering. This will contribute to the formation of flower buds for next year.
Ensuring that the plant is protected from sunburn in early spring will also allow the plant to begin flowering on time.To do this, it is necessary to cover the bush with spunbond after the snow melts.
And the most important thing is improper watering. For proper bud formation and good growth, the plant requires a large amount of water so that the root system can receive the required amount of nutrients from the soil. Therefore, rhododendron requires intensive watering both during the period of growth and development, and during budding.
Conclusion
Rhododendron does not bloom for fairly simple reasons that can be easily eliminated. If all requirements for planting and subsequent care are met, the rhododendron will bloom for a long time and delight you with its beautiful flowers every year.
