Content
- 1 Description of Rhododendron Katevbinsky Grandiflorum
- 2 Winter hardiness of Katevbinsky rhododendron Grandiflorum
- 3 Conditions for growing rhododendron Purpureum Grandiflorum
- 4 Planting and caring for rhododendron Katevbinsky Grandiflorum
- 5 Reproduction
- 6 Diseases and pests
- 7 Conclusion
- 8 Reviews of hybrid rhododendron Purpureum Grandiflorum
Rhododendron katevbinskiy Grandiflorum is one of the most beautifully flowering evergreen shrubs. The homeland of Katevba rhododendron is North America. Many varieties have been created based on Rhododendron Katevbinsky, including the most common Grandiflorum. The species was one of the first introduced into European territory, as it is characterized by good adaptation to climatic conditions and frost resistance.
Description of Rhododendron Katevbinsky Grandiflorum
Rhododendron hybrid Katevbinsky Grandiflorum belongs to the Heather family. One of the oldest varieties of rhododendron, obtained at the beginning of the 19th century. It forms a spreading, highly branched bush 2-4 m high. The shrub is a fast-growing one, the annual growth is 8-12 cm. It forms a semicircular, dense crown. The size of Rhododendron Katevbinsky Grandiflorum in diameter is 2-3 m.It can grow in one place for about 100 years.
The bark color is brown. The leaves are medium-sized, elliptical, 7-8 cm long. They are dark green, shiny, and smooth on top. Below they are pale, leathery, without pubescence. The inflorescences are compact, uniting 13-15 flowers, 6-7 cm in size. The photo of the rhododendron Grandiflorum shows a purple tint of the flowers with an orange spot interspersed on the upper petal. The stamens are long and curved. Flowers without fragrance. The buds bloom in early summer.
Winter hardiness of Katevbinsky rhododendron Grandiflorum
The winter hardiness of the evergreen shrub is high, up to -32°C, and does not shed its leaves in the winter. In winter, moisture from the leaves continues to evaporate, so the plant continues to be watered moderately before the soil freezes. Leaves react to lower temperatures by curling and drooping. Thus, the plant reduces moisture evaporation.
Conditions for growing rhododendron Purpureum Grandiflorum
Rhododendron hybrid Grandiflorum is grown in single or group plantings. It is not advisable to plant shrubs next to trees with the same shallow root system. Stronger plants will inhibit rhododendron.
Evergreen shrubs require protection from drying winds and drafts as well as from the hot midday sun. To do this, hedges are created next to the Katevbinsky rhododendron or shrubs are planted in the partial shade of buildings and coniferous trees.
For the successful cultivation of evergreen rhododendron Grandiflorum, acidic soils are required. If there is no such soil on the site, it is created anew in a large planting hole or by laying out an entire area to create a heather corner.Pine litter gives an acidic reaction: cones, branches, needles. As well as moss and peak peat, which has a red color. Such a substrate will be constantly needed during the cultivation of rhododendron.
Planting and caring for rhododendron Katevbinsky Grandiflorum
Katevba rhododendrons will not develop in flooded, swampy areas. Shrubs need loose, well-drained soils. The soil around should always be mulched and not dry out. Plants are treated well when replanting. It is carried out early in the spring before the buds begin to awaken or in the fall before the onset of frost. According to reviews of Katevbinsky rhododendron Grandiflorum, seedlings with a closed root system can be replanted throughout the summer.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
The site for the Katevbinsky rhododendron Grandiflorum is chosen taking into account the long growth of the shrub in one place and its further growth along the crown over 2.5 m. Rhododendron successfully coexists with its own species, as well as coniferous and heather crops, which are similar in their demands on the acidic reaction of the soil.
In group plantings, a distance of 0.7 to 2 m is maintained between Rhododendron Katevba Grandiflorum and other trees and shrubs, depending on their size.
Seedling preparation
When removing a seedling from a container, you can see that the roots in contact with the walls of the container have died and formed a felt layer. When planted in the ground, young roots located inside the earthen clod will not be able to break through the resulting barrier. In this case, the plant will not develop and will die.
Therefore, before planting, make several cuts or completely carefully remove the dead layer, including from the bottom.Then the seedling is released into heated melt or rain water.
The earth ball is kept in water until it is saturated with moisture and air bubbles stop appearing on the surface.
Landing rules
The root system of Rhododendron Katevbinsky Grandiflorum is fibrous, located closer to the soil surface and grows wider than deep. Therefore, in an area with clay soils, a shallow but wide planting hole is made. In a planting site with poorly permeable soils, drainage 10 cm high is poured onto the bottom of the planting hole. Expanded clay, broken red brick, and pebbles are used for drainage. White brick or concrete scraps are not used due to their calcium content.
Coarse sand is used for loosening. When planting, rhododendron or complex fertilizer is added to the soil mixture, but without calcium and chlorine.
When planting, the root collar is not buried, but raised 2 cm above the general soil level. After planting, the soil around the seedling is compacted, an earthen roll is poured and watered abundantly, including along the crown. After the soil settles, it must be topped up so that the upper roots are covered. After 2 weeks, the poured roller is leveled.
After planting, the soil is immediately mulched using pine bark. It is necessary to add mulch several times during the season. The protective layer is poured without affecting the root collar. The soil under rhododendrons is not loosened or dug up.
During the first time after planting, the plants are shaded and often sprayed with water, especially in hot weather.
Watering and fertilizing
The soil under Katevbinsky rhododendron is always kept moderately moist, avoiding drying out or stagnation of water in the root zone. If water accumulates after heavy rain, it must be drained. To maintain soil acidity, watering once a month is carried out with the addition of citric acid or special compounds for rhododendrons. The plant is responsive to sprinkling. It is preferable to use water from reservoirs, rain or settled water.
In the first years after planting, the plants are not fed. If the growth of a shrub is poor, first of all you need to make sure that it is planted correctly and that the soil has a sufficient acidity level.
Feeding of adult Katevbinsky rhododendron Grandiflorum is carried out several times per season:
- During the formation of buds, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are used, intended for spring plant care. Use universal compounds, for example, azofoska or specialized fertilizers for rhododendrons.
- During flowering, spray with flower growth stimulants, for example, the drug “Bud”.
- From mid to late summer, use fertilizers suitable for the autumn period that do not contain nitrogen. Feeding at this time helps the plant to compact the tissues of the shoots and leaves, which will ensure their preservation in the winter.
Liquid and dry fertilizers are used for feeding. The plant is watered with liquid fertilizers in the center of the bush. Dry ones are scattered along the diameter, retreating 20-30 cm from the center of the bush and sprinkled with soil.
Trimming
Initial pruning is carried out during planting, shortening excessively long shoots and tops with inactive buds. Sanitary pruning is carried out based on the results of wintering. Remove frozen and broken shoots.
Formative pruning is not required; the shrub independently forms a compact, rounded crown.
Preparing for winter
In the fall, before the onset of frost, the bushes are sprayed with copper-containing preparations to prevent diseases. The shrub is covered with high-moor peat to a height of at least 15 cm. The evergreen shrub Grandiflorum is able to winter without shelter. But in this case, it is exposed to winter sunburn and desiccation. In spring, damaged leaves develop a brown stripe along the middle vein. Without shelter, the stems can be damaged by the snow mass.
Therefore, to preserve the bush, a frame is built and covered with non-woven covering material.
In the spring, it is advisable to remove snow from the bush and remove accumulations of melt water. This is necessary so that the soil under the bushes warms up as early as possible. At the same time, the old mulch is removed by hand, without using garden tools, so as not to damage the root system located close to the soil surface.
Reproduction
Rhododendron katevbinsky Grandiflorum is propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Cuttings are taken from semi-lignified shoots from the second half of June. For cuttings, cut a shoot 5-8 cm long, remove the lower leaves, leaving 2-3 at the top. Cuttings take root hard, so they are first kept in a growth stimulator for 12-16 hours.
Subsequently, they are germinated in containers with a damp sand-peat mixture.The evergreen species of rhododendron Grandiflorum takes about 3-4.5 months to take root. In winter, the seedling is stored in bright, cool rooms; in summer, it is grown in the garden for about 2 years.
Diseases and pests
The description of rhododendron Grandiflorum states that the shrub does not have specific diseases and pests. The crop is damaged by common diseases and garden pests, especially when grown in unsuitable conditions. To prevent fungal diseases, fungicides are used in spring, at air temperatures above +5°C. The treatment is repeated after 2 weeks. When processing, the drug is applied to the outer and inner sides of all leaves, and the soil around the bush is also sprayed.
With metabolic disorders and lack of iron, spots appear on the leaves. Prevention and treatment of chlorosis in different dosages is carried out with iron-containing preparations.
Leaf-eating and other insects are eliminated by treating the bushes with broad-spectrum insecticides, as well as acaricides. The drug “Thunderstorm” is used against slugs and snails.
Conclusion
Rhododendron Katevbinsky Grandiflorum is one of the suitable varieties for growing crops in Russia. For rhododendron, the initial selection of a suitable location and proper planting are important; subsequently, caring for the crop is not difficult. Some gardeners grow Katevbinsky rhododendron Grandiflorum without shelter for the winter, since the variety is winter-hardy.
