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Rhododendron Lachsgold is a perennial, frost-resistant hybrid from the Heather family. The plant is slow-growing, by the age of 10 it reaches a height of 110 cm and a width of 150 cm. The hybrid forms a small, spreading bush, which, in combination with conifers, will decorate a personal plot.
Description of rhododendron Lachsgold
Rhododendron hybrid Lachsgold is a perennial, unpretentious plant that forms a spherical crown of flexible and strong shoots. The variety has a feature that attracts flower growers - it changes the color of the flowers as they bloom. At the end of May, delicate salmon flowers appear on the bush from pink buds; as they bloom and until the end of flowering, the flowers turn yellow-cream. The hybrid's flowering is beautiful and long-lasting; the inflorescences decorate the garden plot for 20-30 days. Description of the Lachsgold rhododendron and easy care allow novice gardeners to grow the variety.
Winter hardiness of rhododendron Lachsgold
Rhododendron Lachsgold is a cold-resistant variety that can withstand temperatures down to -25 °C. Thanks to these indicators, the hybrid can be grown in Central and Central Russia. An adult plant does not need shelter, but for a safe wintering it is watered generously, the tree trunk is fed and mulched.
Planting and caring for rhododendron Lachsgold
Rhododendron Lachsgold is an unpretentious, perennial plant. If you follow agrotechnical rules, the shrub will decorate your garden plot for 10-15 years.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Rhododendron Lachsgold is a light-loving plant, but when planting a seedling in an open, sunny area, the foliage may get burned and the flowers may become faded in color.
It is better to give preference to a site located in partial shade with diffused light and protected from gusty winds. The best neighbors will be apple, pear, pine, oak and larch, since these species have a root system that goes deep into the ground and thus will not deprive the rhododendron of nutrients.
The soil for rhododendron should be nutritious, well permeable to air and water. The shrub does not tolerate drought and stagnant moisture, so when planting a young seedling it is necessary to find a middle ground. It is also necessary to remember that the acidity of the soil should be within 4-5.5 pH. If the soil is highly acidic, the plant may develop chlorosis.
If the soil is heavy, then you can prepare nutritious soil for the Lachsgold rhododendron yourself: acidic peat, turf soil and pine bark are mixed in a ratio of 3:0.5:1.If the soil is highly acidic, then slaked lime or dolomite flour can be added to the mixture.
Seedling preparation
It is better to purchase Lachsgold rhododendron seedlings from nurseries when they are 2-3 years old. When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the root system. It should be well developed, without signs of rot or disease. A healthy seedling should have good bushiness of cuttings and healthy, well-developed buds.
When purchasing a seedling with an open root system, before planting, it is recommended to soak the plant for about 2 hours in warm water with the addition of a root formation stimulator.
Rules for planting rhododendron Lachsgold
The best time to plant Lachsgold rhododendron is considered to be spring, since before the cold weather arrives the plant will grow its root system and become stronger. Seedlings with a closed root system can be planted in spring, summer and autumn. 2 weeks before planting, it is necessary to prepare the planting hole. To do this, dig a hole 40 cm deep and 60 cm wide in the selected area. When planting several specimens, the interval between planting holes is maintained at 1-1.5 m. Planting technology:
- The bottom of the hole is covered with a 15 cm layer of drainage, then with nutrient soil.
- If the rhododendron was purchased with a closed root system, then the seedling is carefully removed along with a lump of earth from the pot and planted in the prepared hole.
- I fill all voids with soil, making sure that there are no air voids left.
- The top layer is compacted and shed generously
- Since rhododendron has a shallow root system and is located in the upper, fertile layer of soil, mulch is placed around the planted bush. It will retain moisture, save the roots from overheating, stop the growth of weeds and become an additional organic fertilizer. Tree bark, sawdust, dry leaves or rotted compost are used as mulch.
After planting the seedling, it needs to be provided with proper care. This includes:
- watering;
- feeding;
- spraying;
- bush formation;
- sanitary pruning.
Watering and fertilizing
High-quality and regular watering affects the formation of flower buds. Irrigation is carried out with settled, warm water in the morning or evening. Watering should be plentiful so that the soil is moistened to a depth of 20-30 cm. For an adult plant, 10 liters of water are used after the top layer of water has dried. A young plant is watered more often, spending up to 500 ml of water per bush. Since the Lachsgold rhododendron does not tolerate drought and stagnant water, in hot, dry weather the bush must be sprayed after sunset.
After watering, the tree trunk circle is loosened superficially, trying not to damage the surface roots. To preserve moisture, the tree trunk circle is mulched with rotted humus, straw or dry leaves.
Rhododendron Lachsgold begins to be fed in the second year after planting. Fertilizers should be applied in small portions, in liquid form. A lack of nutrients can be determined by the appearance of the rhododendron:
- the foliage brightens;
- growth and development stops;
- buds do not form;
- the bush loses its decorative appearance.
Optimal fertilizing regime:
- at the beginning of the growing season - nitrogen-containing fertilizers;
- after flowering - add ammonium sulfate, superphosphate and potassium sulfate;
- in early August - the bush is fed with superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
Trimming
An adult Lachsgold rhododendron does not need to form a crown, since the plant is capable of independently forming a regular, spherical shape. But there are times when you need to remove frozen, dried out and overgrown branches. When pruning, use a clean, sharp tool.
Pruning is carried out in early spring, before the buds open. The cut site is treated with garden varnish. 30 days after pruning, dormant buds will begin to awaken, and the renewal process will begin. Old bushes are pruned to a height of 30-40 cm from the surface of the ground. Anti-aging pruning, so as not to weaken the bush, is carried out gradually. In the first year, the southern side is renovated, in the second year, the northern side.
The Lachsgold rhododendron has one peculiarity: in one year the shrub shows lush and long-lasting flowering, and in the second year the flowering is sparse. To ensure lush flowering every season, all faded inflorescences must be broken off so that the rhododendron does not waste energy on ripening the seeds.
Preparing for winter
Rhododendron Lachsgold is a cold-resistant variety that can withstand frosts down to -25 °C without shelter. It is better to cover young plants in the first 2-3 years after planting. For this:
- In dry autumn, the plant is watered abundantly. Up to 10 liters of warm, settled water is used for each bush.
- The frost resistance of the Lachsgold rhododendron can be increased by covering the tree trunk circle with mulch of foliage, peat or rotted compost.
- After the first frost, the crown is covered with burlap, having previously covered the branches with spruce branches and lightly tied with twine.
- The shelter is removed in cloudy weather, after the snow has melted.
Reproduction
Lachsgold rhododendron can be propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, offshoots and cuttings. Since Lachsgold rhododendron is a hybrid, when propagated by seeds you may not obtain varietal characteristics.
Cuttings are an effective method of propagation. Lignified cuttings measuring 10-15 cm are cut from the bush. The lower leaves are removed, the upper ones are shortened by ½ length. The prepared planting material is soaked in a root formation stimulator for 2 hours and planted at an acute angle in nutrient soil. To speed up the emergence of roots, cover the plant with a jar or plastic bag. The rooting process is long, lasting about 1.5 months, so when propagating by cuttings you need to be patient.
After rooting, the cuttings are transplanted into a larger pot and moved to a bright, warm place. The next year, the rooted seedling can be transplanted to the prepared site.
Propagation by cuttings is the simplest and easiest method, therefore suitable for beginner gardeners. In the spring, a strong, healthy shoot is selected from the plant, located next to the ground. The selected branch is placed in a pre-dug trench to a depth of 5-7 cm, leaving the top above the surface. The ditch is filled up, watered generously and mulched. After a year, the rooted shoot can be disconnected from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place.
Dividing the bush - this method is used after anti-aging pruning. Rhododendron Lachsgold is carefully dug up, trying not to damage the surface roots, and divided into sections. Each part should have well-developed roots and a healthy growth bud. In a year, subject to agrotechnical rules, the young plant will begin to form young shoots, begin to grow, and may bloom in late spring.
Diseases and pests
Rhododendron Lachsgold has strong immunity to diseases. But if the rules of care are not followed, the following diseases and pests may appear on the plant, such as:
- Rhododendron bug - the most common pest that begins to appear in the summer. The leaf blade of an infected plant becomes covered with snow-white spots. Without treatment, the foliage dries out and falls off. To combat the bug, the bush is sprayed with the drug “Diazinin”.
- Mealybug – the insect can be found on foliage, buds and young shoots. After settling, the pest begins to suck out the sap, which leads to the death of the bush. To prevent the pest, the bush is sprayed with Karbofos in spring and autumn.
- Chlorosis – the disease appears when growing a plant on acidified soil, with a lack of nitrogen and potassium, as well as with stagnant moisture. When the disease appears, yellow or red spots appear along the edges of the foliage and near the veins, which grow without treatment. You can get rid of the disease only if you follow the rules of care.
Conclusion
Rhododendron Lachsgold is a beautiful flowering perennial plant. If you follow agrotechnical rules, a lush flowering shrub will decorate your garden plot for a long time.Thanks to its unpretentiousness and frost resistance, the hybrid can be grown in Central and Central Russia by beginning gardeners.
