Content
Rhododendron Percy Weissman is a beautifully flowering evergreen hybrid created on the basis of a Japanese wild plant. The Yakushiman species in its natural state is widespread in the mountains, winter-hardy and moisture-loving. A peculiarity of varieties of Japanese rhododendrons is their development in the shade, under the canopy of tall, but not fruit trees.
Description of Rhododendron Yakushiman Percy Weissman
The compact shrub rhododendron Percy Weissman, as in the photo, is only 90-100 cm high. The roots of the plant are superficial, well branched, located at a depth of 35-40 cm. The root system of the Yakushiman variety of rhododendron occupies a large perimeter of the trunk circle, up to 70-80 cm in diameter . The crown is round, spreading, spreading up to 1.3-1.5 m. Over the course of a year, shoots grow to 10-14 cm.
The elliptical dark green leaves have a pointed tip. The leaf blade is dense, leathery, glossy on top, 7-8 cm long, 3-3.5 cm wide. In the sun, the leaves of the plant fade. The leaves of the variety live 3-4 years.Aged leaf blades turn yellow, curl and fall off. This natural process occurs on the lower branches. If the upper leaves begin to fade, the bush may lack moisture, nutrition, or develop diseases.
Funnel-shaped rhododendron flowers - 5 cm in diameter - are collected in corymbs. Blooming buds in the amount of 13-15 pieces form lush spherical inflorescences. Unopened corollas are pink, the petals are white with different shades of pink around the edges and a yellow-golden tint in the center. Some petals have golden specks. Gradually, as it fades, the pink tone turns into cream. The delicate flowers of the Percy Weissman variety are given special sophistication by long light stamens with darker anthers.
Winter hardiness of rhododendron Percy Weissman
Yakushiman rhododendron attracted breeders due to its winter hardiness. Under natural conditions, the plant is located at an altitude of up to 2 km. Its hybrids are able to withstand long-term frosts down to – 21 °C, and short-term frosts even down to – 29 °C.
Conditions for growing rhododendron Percy Weissman
The plant has inherited the characteristics of wild plants. For good development, the rhododendron hybrid Percy Weissman needs:
- acidic, moisture-permeable soil;
- semi-shaded area, without direct sunlight, especially in late winter and early spring;
- regular moisturizing.
Planting and caring for rhododendron Percy Weissman
The crop is planted in early spring. Bushes in containers are also moved in the summer.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
For rhododendron, choose a place protected from drafts.The plant is very decorative, so it is worth taking care of a good imported substrate if alkaline soils predominate in the area. Soil acidity is within the pH range of 4.5-5.5. The seedlings develop well in the openwork shade of pines and other conifers with a sparse crown.
Seedling preparation
When purchasing a rhododendron, make sure that the leaves and branches are in good condition; they should be free of breakages and scratches. Seedlings in containers are placed in a bucket of water so that the roots come out of the container without damage. It is recommended to destroy the earthen lump around the perimeter to free all the thin roots. Buds and flowers are removed. An open root system should have many shoots.
Landing rules
When placing a Percy Weissman seedling, the following requirements are followed:
- for rhododendron, dig a hole with a diameter of at least 70 cm and a depth of 40-50 cm;
- the drainage layer is high – up to 15-20 cm;
- the substrate is made up of equal parts of peat and sand, 2 parts of garden or forest soil, mixing in leaf compost;
- a seedling is placed in the prepared soil, paying attention to the fact that the root collar should be located 3-6 cm above ground level;
- After the first watering, the tree trunk circle is mulched with peat, any coniferous litter from the forest, or crushed pine bark.
Watering and fertilizing
According to the description, rhododendron Percy Weissman is a moisture-loving plant, and the bush is provided with regular watering of 10 liters. Seedlings are moistened every other day, adult bushes - after 2-3 days.During dry periods, evening sprinkling is carried out. Particular attention is paid to bushes after flowering, during the formation of flower buds. The soil must be constantly moist so that the bush has enough resources to absorb nutrients from the mulch.
Rhododendrons are not fed with humus. It is better to purchase special mineral preparations for acidophiles, including fertilizers for coniferous plants. Typically, such products contain substances that acidify the soil, which contributes to the comfortable development of rhododendrons. All fertilizers are applied before the end of June or until July 3-5. Granular preparations are scattered across the diameter of the tree trunk directly onto the mulch, and then watered abundantly.
Trimming
The low-growing variety Percy Weissman is not pruned regularly. In spring and autumn, sanitary cleaning of damaged branches is carried out. Rhododendron bushes tolerate shaping, and it is carried out if necessary only 3 years after planting.
Preparing for winter
In October or November, depending on the weather, rhododendrons are mulched. The mulch used during the summer is not changed; it gradually rots and becomes a fertilizer for the bush. In the fall, new acidic peat, pine needles, and sawdust are added on top. A layer of mulch 7-10 cm high should cover the soil well to protect the surface roots of the Percy Wiseman variety from freezing. The bush is covered from above with a wire pyramid, which serves as a frame for mats made of natural materials, burlap, and agrotextiles.
The cover of rhododendrons is removed with the arrival of warm days. In March, the dense covering material is removed, leaving agrofibre, which will protect the leaves from bright sunlight.
Reproduction
Percy Weissman varietal rhododendrons are propagated only by layering, cuttings and grafting to preserve their characteristics. Semi-lignified branches are cut off from the 20th of June. The length of the fragments is 6-10 cm, with an oblique cut at the bottom, 2-3 leaves at the top. They are treated with special stimulants according to the instructions and planted in a moist substrate made from a mixture of peat, sand or sawdust. Rooting of evergreen rhododendron occurs after 3-4 months under conditions of high humidity and temperature of 24-26 °C. 80-85% of cuttings take root. Seedlings are grown for 2 years.
For layering, dig in the bottom branch of the Percy Weissman variety, secure it with a staple, and leave the top above the ground. Sprouts appear after 1.5-2 months, are characterized by weak roots, require constant moist soil, mulching with layers of moss. It is better to leave new plants in the same place until the next warm season. Growing is carried out in containers. According to the observations of flower growers, rhododendron seedlings obtained from layerings develop slowly.
Vaccinations are carried out in special greenhouses, carefully monitoring the maintenance of the required temperature and sufficient air humidity.
Diseases and pests
If all the requirements for planting and caring for Percy Weissman Yakushiman rhododendron are met, the bush does not suffer from diseases. Taking care of the good development of the ornamental capricious plant, annual preventive maintenance is carried out in the early spring with Fundazol, and in the summer with Fitosporin. Yellowish spots often appear on rhododendron leaves for other reasons:
- suffer from a lack of nutrients such as potassium, iron, magnesium and nitrogen;
- stagnation of water has formed at the roots;
- the acid reaction of the soil shifted to alkaline.
Rhododendrons are fed with iron or magnesium sulfates, potassium nitrate or ammonium nitrate. The leaves are damaged by many insects (beetleworm, leaf miner, weevil, bug), as well as spider mites, which are controlled with insecticides and acaricides.
Conclusion
Rhododendron Percy Weissman will produce abundant and reliable annual flowering if the bush is provided with the necessary conditions for development. Acidic soil, seasonal renewal of mulch, constant watering, sun protection are the main requirements for caring for an ornamental plant.
