Content
Rhododendron Bloombux is a hybrid plant of the Ericaceae family. These dwarfs are the result of the work of German breeders. The variety was developed in 2014 and received a license. Today, rhododendrons are already popular among Russian gardeners.
Description of rhododendron Bloombooks
To understand what a Bloombooks hybrid is, you need to get acquainted with its description and characteristics. Rhododendron Bloombux is a dwarf evergreen shrub. At 10-15 years of age, the plant reaches a maximum height of 1 m. But most often, rhododendron stops at 70 cm. But rhododendron grows in width by 1 m or more due to good branching.
The secret of the rapid development of Bloombux rhododendron lies in its well-developed root system, which is capable of extracting the required amount of nutrients. The root is flat, but well branched to the sides. Bloombooks thrive in almost all soils.
The foliage of the Bloombux variety is green, small, and oblong. The length of the plates is from 4 to 5 cm. Flowering begins in June while the leaves are still bright green. This stage is long; you can admire the white and pink buds of the Bloombux rhododendron (diameter - 5-6 cm) for almost a month. The flowers are small, pressed very tightly together, which makes it seem like there are a lot of them.
The Bloombux rhododendron blooms profusely every year; the foliage is almost invisible due to the buds.
Winter hardiness of rhododendron Bloombooks
Almost all rhododendrons, including Bloombux, are frost-resistant plants. If you mulch the tree trunk well to cover the roots, the hybrid can withstand temperatures down to -25 degrees. At lower temperatures, without shelter, the buds may freeze.
Conditions for growing rhododendron Bloombux
Rhododendron Bloombux can be grown almost throughout Russia, if climatic conditions allow. In winter, the bush does not freeze out at a temperature of -25 degrees. In summer heat of 25-30 degrees, regular watering and spraying early in the morning or evening will be required.
Planting and caring for rhododendron Bloombooks
Planting can be planned for April - early May or in the fall after Bloombux has finished blooming.
Flowering plants must not be replanted. After flowering, at least 2 weeks must pass.
Further care of Bloombux rhododendron is not particularly difficult, since the plant is relatively unpretentious.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Rhododendron or azalea should be planted in a shaded area on the north side of the building. The soil needs to be drained and loose with plenty of humus.Bloombux prefers acidic soils.
The water should lie at a depth of no more than 100 cm. If the groundwater level is higher, you will have to prepare a high bed for planting rhododendron.
Best place to land near:
- larch;
- pine;
- oak;
- apple trees;
- pear.
In these trees, the root system goes deep, so it does not disturb the nutritional balance of rhododendron.
But chestnut, maple, elm, willow, poplar, linden cannot be neighbors of the Bloombux rhododendron, since their roots are located in the same tier, and azaleas do not have enough nutrients.
And this is what Bloombux rhododendron looks like (photo below), grown as a potted crop.
Seedling preparation
Before planting Bloombux seedlings in a permanent place, they need to be saturated with moisture. Water is poured into a large container, to which potassium permanganate or any root growth stimulator can be added, and the plant is immersed in it. First, air bubbles will appear, indicating that the root system is filling with moisture.
Landing rules
Planting stages:
- First, a hole is dug under the Bloombux rhododendron with a depth of at least 40 cm and a diameter of about 60 cm. To fill it, you will need nutritious soil consisting of 3.5 buckets of loam and 8 buckets of high-moor peat. The soil is thoroughly mixed.
- Drainage is placed at the bottom, then a third of the soil. The mass is compacted well to remove voids.
- Then the Bloombooks rhododendron seedling is placed vertically in the center and sprinkled with the remaining soil. The soil is compacted again so that there are no air pockets left between the roots. The root collar does not need to be buried; it should remain above the surface.
- Rhododendron Bloombux requires good watering, the main thing is that the soil is wet 20 cm deep.
- To retain moisture, mulch is laid out in the tree trunk circle. These can be oak leaves, pine needles, peat or moss. Mulch thickness – 5-6 cm.
When planting several Bloombux rhododendron seedlings in a row to create a hedge or in single plantings, it is necessary to provide supports and tie the bushes so that the wind does not loosen the root system. Before installing the support, you need to determine the direction of the wind and tilt it towards it.
Watering and fertilizing
If it rains constantly in the summer, then the Bloombooks rhododendron will not need watering. In dry times, the bushes need to be irrigated at least every other day. The depth of soil wetting is at least 15 cm. Watering is carried out early in the morning or evening hours.
It is recommended to regularly weed out weeds, but under no circumstances should you loosen the soil. These are the biological characteristics of rhododendrons.
Rhododendron Bloombux grows well in soil rich in humus and organic matter. Immediately after planting, it is recommended to water the seedlings with Argumin solution so that the plant takes root faster. To avoid yellowing, planting leaves are fed with a solution of Iron Chelate.
And now about the annual feeding regime:
- In early spring, organic fertilizers containing nitrogen are added to the bushes. If mineral fertilizers are used, then for each square. m you need to add magnesium sulfate (50 g) and ammonium sulfate (50 g).
- After the end of flowering, you again need to add potassium sulfate (20 g), superphosphate (20 g) and ammonium sulfate (40 g) to each square.
- In July, Bloombux rhododendron bushes are fed with potassium sulfate and superphosphate, 20 g of each fertilizer per square meter. m.
Trimming
Thanks to pruning, Rhododendron Bloombooks can be given any shape, which is why the plant is widely used by landscape designers to decorate the site. The fact is that the plant responds well to pruning: the greenery is preserved, the bushes do not get sick. When pruning, you need to remove the growth growing from the roots, otherwise it will choke the bush and flowering will be insignificant.
Rhododendron should be pruned after flowering to avoid damaging the flower buds. But you can replant the bushes only 2-3 weeks after flowering or early in the spring, until the buds swell.
Preparing for winter
Like any cultivated plant, Bloombux rhododendron requires some activities in the fall. If there has been no rain for a long time and no precipitation is expected, then you will have to water the bushes well. After abundant irrigation, mulch the tree trunk circle. Mulch will not only retain moisture in the soil, but also protect the root system from frost. The layer should be at least 15-20 cm.
In areas with a sharply continental climate, where in winter the thermometer drops below 27 degrees, the bushes are tied with twine and then covered with spruce branches.
In the south such shelter is not required.
Reproduction
Rhododendron Bloombux can be propagated using cuttings or lateral (root) layering. Seed propagation is unknown.
Cuttings
This method of reproduction is performed in the summer, at the end of July or beginning of August:
- Cut cuttings 6-7 cm long.The lower cut is made at an angle of 45 degrees, the upper one should be straight. Each cutting should have at least 2-3 buds.
- Prepare a growth stimulator solution and soak the planting material in it for 12 hours.
- Pour a soil mixture of sand and peat into the boxes and water well.
- Plant the cuttings at an angle, cover the nursery with film or glass. The greenhouse is ventilated 2-3 times daily.
- As a rule, the root system appears in 30-35 days.
- In the winter, before the onset of frost, the rooted cuttings, along with the nursery, are put into the cellar, where they will remain until spring.
- In spring, seedlings are placed in a permanent place. This can be open ground or large pots.
Reproduction by layering
This method of obtaining new plants is not at all complicated, because, in fact, nature itself works for the gardener:
- On a young branch that has bent towards the ground, you need to make a cut from the bottom side.
- Dig a hole nearby and drop a twig with a cut into it.
- Use a wire hook to secure the layer so that it does not move, and sprinkle with soil.
- Compact the soil and water well.
- After rooting, the cuttings are cut off and planted in a permanent place.
Diseases and pests
Rhododendron Bloombux can be affected by:
- Mealybug, bug and weevil. To destroy them, pesticides are used: “Aktaru”, “Fitoverm”. If the damage is severe, the bushes are sprayed again after 10 days.
- If you are attacked by garden snails or slugs, you will have to work with your hands or set traps under the bushes.
- Spider mites are washed off with a soap solution or fungicides.
Causes of diseases:
- If the area is waterlogged, excessive watering or fertilizing is carried out incorrectly, fungal diseases may appear.
- Extreme heat and lack of watering lead to changes in the color of foliage and stems.
- Shoots and leaves that are in doubt must be cut out without pity, otherwise you may lose all the rhododendrons. Affected branches should be burned.
As a preventative measure, gardeners use Bordeaux mixture and spray rhododendrons with it in early spring (before pollinating insects wake up) and in the fall.
Conclusion
Rhododendron Bloombux is an interesting plant that is gaining popularity among Russian gardeners. It is unpretentious, but thanks to its external characteristics it fits perfectly into the design of any garden.
