Content
- 1 Description of Rhododendron Kamchatka
- 2 Winter hardiness of Kamchatka rhododendron
- 3 Conditions for growing Kamchatka rhododendron
- 4 Planting and caring for Kamchatka rhododendron
- 5 Selection and preparation of a landing site
- 6 Seedling preparation
- 7 Landing rules
- 8 Watering and fertilizing
- 9 Trimming
- 10 Preparing for winter
- 11 Reproduction
- 12 Diseases and pests
- 13 Conclusion
Rhododendron Kamchatka is an unusual representative of deciduous shrubs. It is distinguished by good winter hardiness and decorative appearance. To successfully grow rhododendron of this species, it is enough to fulfill a number of conditions. First, choose a suitable location, then provide the plant with good care.
Description of Rhododendron Kamchatka
Rhododendron Kamchatka is a deciduous branched shrub that belongs to the Heather family and the genus Rhododendron. In Russia, the plant grows in the Far East: in the Khabarovsk Territory, Sikhote-Alin, Sakhalin, Kuril Islands, Kamchatka and Chukotka. It is also found in Japan, the northwestern states of America, and the Aleutian Islands.
Kamchatka rhododendron grows in the tundra, cedar forests, on the rocks of the sea coast, has the appearance of a dwarf plant up to 35 cm high. The main branches are red-brown, densely located, prostrate. The remaining shoots are straight, greenish or reddish in color.
The plant has large, oval-shaped, slightly elongated leaves.In the upper part the leaf blade is rounded, strongly tapering towards the base. The leaves are dark green and shiny above, lighter in color and bristly below. Their length ranges from 2 to 5 cm, width - no more than 2.5 cm.
At the ends of the shoots of Kamchatka rhododendron, 1 - 2 flowers bloom. They are large, 3–4 cm long, with a purple, brown-speckled corolla. The color of the petals varies from pinkish and white to purple and bright red. Flowering begins in June-July.
Winter hardiness of Kamchatka rhododendron
Rhododendron Kamchatka is characterized by high winter hardiness. The plant does not freeze in winter; sometimes the tops of the shoots die after cold weather. It can withstand temperatures down to -32°C without any problems. To protect the shrub from frost, it is important to properly prepare it for winter.
Conditions for growing Kamchatka rhododendron
Kamchatka rhododendron develops best in rocky areas. It is chosen for group and single compositions, borders, alpine slides. The shrub is valuable in the design of gardens and parks, especially in the northern regions.
When choosing a location for a shrub, two factors are taken into account: protection from the wind and the absence of direct exposure to the sun. In nature, the plant prefers forest thickets, into which the sun's rays rarely penetrate. It is best to provide the rhododendron with soft, diffused light. The intensity of flowering depends on exposure to the sun.
Next, the quality of the soil is assessed. Lowlands where rain and melt water accumulates are not suitable for growing Kamchatka rhododendron.The plant grows slowly in heavy clay soil. The best option is leaf soil with the addition of peat and pine bedding. The permissible acidity of the soil is from 4.5 to 5 pH.
Planting and caring for Kamchatka rhododendron
Before planting Kamchatka rhododendron, it is important to choose a suitable location and improve the quality of the soil. Then they begin to prepare the seedling. During the growing season, the plant is provided with good care. To protect it from winter frosts, preparatory work is carried out in the fall.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Kamchatka rhododendron is planted along paths and alleys, next to ponds or streams. Solitaire plantings are planted on the lawn. Bright pink flowers look spectacular against the background of evergreen trees and shrubs: pine, spruce, thuja, cypress.
To design a rock garden, saxifrage, cinquefoil, thyme, and juniper are placed next to the rhododendron. It is better to place taller plants in the center of the composition, and plant Kamchatka rhododendron along the edges. Particular attention is paid to color compatibility. The flowerbed can be decorated in pink tones. These shades go best with white, violet, and purple.
After choosing a place for planting, the plants begin to cultivate the soil. The bed is dug up and organic and mineral fertilizers are applied. Be sure to remove plant debris and other debris. Such work is carried out in the fall at the end of the dacha season.
If the soil is clayey and does not allow moisture to pass through well, then coarse river sand is added. A drainage layer is installed at the bottom of the planting hole. Peat and any complex mineral fertilizer will help increase soil fertility for plants.
Seedling preparation
Kamchatka rhododendron seedlings are purchased from trusted suppliers. Before purchasing, the material is inspected to identify rotten areas, mold and other defects. Before planting, the roots of the cuttings are dipped in warm water, where a growth stimulator is added.
It is best to buy seedlings in the spring and immediately plant them in a flower bed. If this is not possible, then you can purchase cuttings in the fall. For the winter, they are buried in the ground, sawdust is poured on top and covered with spruce branches.
Landing rules
Although planting work is carried out in the spring, a hole for Kamchatka rhododendron is dug in the fall. This is necessary to cause the soil to shrink, which seriously damages the plants. In the spring, they wait until the snow melts and the soil warms up. Depending on the region, cuttings are planted in May-June.
The procedure for planting Kamchatka rhododendron:
- At the selected location, dig a planting hole 60 cm deep and 30 cm wide.
- A mixture of broken bricks and sand is poured onto the bottom. Layer thickness – 15 cm.
- Prepare a substrate consisting of turf soil, peat and spruce forest litter in a ratio of 3:2:1.
- The soil mixture is poured into the hole, then a bucket of water is poured out.
- When the soil settles, the plant is placed in the hole. Its root system is not buried.
- The roots are covered with earth.
- A hole with a diameter of 30 cm is made around the bush.
- The soil is watered abundantly.
- The tree trunk circle is mulched with peat or pine needles. The thickness of the boy layer is up to 8 cm.
Watering and fertilizing
The main care of Kamchatka rhododendron comes down to watering and fertilizing. The plant is provided with regular and abundant watering. Moisture is especially important during drought. For irrigation use warm, settled water. It is applied in the evening or in the morning, when there is no direct sunlight.
It is important to prevent moisture deficiency in the soil. The first signs that the shrub needs watering are drooping shoots, dull leaf plates, and the appearance of dark spots. It is best to use soft water: melt or rain. Rhododendron Kamchatka does not tolerate hard tap water. To soften it, add acetic, citric or oxalic acid before watering.
After watering, loosen the soil carefully. Plant roots are located on the surface of the earth, so they are easily damaged. In addition, the garden bed is regularly weeded to remove weeds.
The supply of nutrients has a positive effect on the development of Kamchatka rhododendron. The bushes are fed according to the following scheme:
- in early spring, rotted manure is added to the tree trunk circle;
- before flowering, treat with a solution of Nitrophoska or other complex fertilizer;
- after flowering, the plants are watered with superphosphate and potassium salt (40 g of each substance per 10 liters of water).
Young bushes are fed with liquid fertilizers. Select the minimum concentration. The substances must not contain chlorine or lime.
Trimming
Old and dried shoots are removed annually from rhododendrons. They are cut using a knife or pruning shears. In the first year after planting, all buds are cut off. This will allow the bush to maintain strength and get stronger. You can leave 1 - 2 inflorescences to determine the color of the petals of the plants. After flowering, the required number of seed boxes is collected.
Preparing for winter
In order for Kamchatka rhododendron to successfully survive the winter, preparatory measures are carried out. In late autumn, before the soil freezes, the plants are watered abundantly. Wet soil freezes more slowly and preserves the viability of the bushes. Then dry oak leaves are poured onto the bed.Additionally, spruce branches are placed on the bushes. In the spring, the cover is removed when the snow begins to melt and the soil warms up.
Reproduction
To propagate Kamchatka rhododendron, seeds or cuttings are used. In the first case, they are obtained from seedlings at home. A mixture of sand and peat is poured into the container, watered and the seeds are distributed over the surface. At room temperature, seeds germinate in 3 to 4 weeks. Seedlings are watered regularly and kept in a warm and bright room. In summer, the containers are moved outside. In the 3rd - 4th year, the plants are planted in a permanent place.
During vegetative propagation, the varietal properties of rhododendron are preserved. At the end of June, lignified shoots 8 cm long are cut. An oblique cut is made from below and the leaves are removed. The cuttings are placed in a solution of a growth stimulator for 16 hours, then in a substrate of peat and sand. On average, rooting occurs in 1.5 - 2 months. In this way, 80 - 85% of cuttings take root.
The resulting plants are watered and fed with mineral fertilizer. Kamchatka rhododendron is transferred to the flowerbed after 2 - 3 years.
Diseases and pests
Kamchatka rhododendron can be seriously damaged by diseases and pests. Plant immunity depends on growing conditions. With proper agricultural technology, bushes rarely suffer from insect attacks and fungal infections.
The most dangerous diseases of Kamchatka rhododendron:
- Root rot. The fungus damages the base of the stem and roots. As a result, plant shoots wither and leaves dry out. The disease spreads when bushes are grown in slightly acidic and moist soils.
- Rust. It looks like red or brown swellings that appear on the underside of the leaves.
- Gray rot. Signs of the disease are brown spots that dry quickly. When humidity is high, a fluffy gray coating appears on plants.
If signs of disease are detected, the affected parts of the Kamchatka rhododendron are cut off and burned. Plantings are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture or a solution of the drug Fundazol. If necessary, the treatment is repeated after 10 - 14 days.
Rhododendron attracts weevils, spider mites, whiteflies, and thrips. Insects feed on plant sap and inhibit their development. To control pests, use a phosphamide emulsion at a concentration of 0.2%.
Conclusion
Rhododendron Kamchatka is a beautiful shrub that can decorate any garden. When planted correctly, the plant quickly takes root. This variety of crop is unpretentious, frost-resistant, and grows in the shade without problems. During the growing season, rhododendron is cared for by watering and fertilizing.
