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Rhododendron Pontica is a deciduous shrub that belongs to the Heather family. Today, this type of family has more than 1000 subspecies, including indoor rhododendrons. If we consider this name translated from Greek, it is translated as “rose tree”, “tree with roses”. As practice shows, the flowers of this culture resemble a rose in appearance. Rhododendron buds can differ not only in shape and size, but also in color.
Description of Rhododendron Pontius
Rhododendron Pontica (roseum) is often called “yellow stupor”. This name was given because the flowers emit a fairly strong aroma. A distinctive feature of the culture is the rapid growth process; in addition, Pontic rhododendron has a high level of resistance to many types of diseases and pests.
The leaf plate of the Pontic rhododendron is elongated, painted in a dark green shade, the edge of the leaf is ciliated.As young leaves appear, you will notice that they are slightly pubescent, but over time the fluff disappears completely.
During the flowering period, fairly large flowers of a rich yellow hue appear; in some cases, pink or purple buds may appear. At the very bottom the petals are fused, slightly curved, and they are collected in inflorescences of about 10-12 pieces.
The root system of the Pontic rhododendron is on the surface. After the flowering process is completed, fruits appear that resemble cylindrical boxes in appearance. These boxes contain seeds.
Varieties of Rhododendron Pontius
When choosing Pontic rhododendron for planting, you should understand that its distinctive feature is its bright color and fairly strong aroma. In addition, do not forget that the leaf plate can change color over time from rich green to orange or red.
Rhododendron Pontica includes a large number of hybrid varieties. If we consider the most popular varieties, then it is worth paying attention to 3 types.
Cecile - a spreading bush on which pink flowers appear; the crown is shaped like a semicircle.
Coccinea speciosa - a fairly lush bush with bright orange buds.
Nancy Waterer - a rather large plant with large yellow flowers of an unusual shape (wavy petals with corrugated edges).
Each gardener has the opportunity to choose exactly the option that best suits the design of the site.
Planting and caring for Pontian rhododendron
In order for the Pontic rhododendron to delight you with its appearance and abundant flowering, you will need to pay due attention to the planting process and further care of the crop. During the growth process, plants need irrigation, fertilizing, and preparation for wintering. It is important to understand that with improper care there is a high probability that pests and diseases will appear.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
When choosing a place to plant Pontic rhododendron, it is worth taking into account the fact that it is a light-loving plant, but does not like being exposed to direct sunlight. That is why it is recommended to choose an area that has slight shading and diffused light.
The ideal option would be to choose a site that is located in close proximity to a body of water, for example, a swimming pool, pond or river. If there are no bodies of water, the Pontic rhododendron will need to be periodically sprayed with warm water until the flowering period begins.
Seedling preparation
Before planting the Pontic rhododendron in a permanent place of growth, it is necessary not only to choose the right site and prepare it, but also to prepare the seedlings themselves. In stores you can find special rooting agents that pre-treat the root system. This approach will ensure that the planting material quickly takes root in a new place and begins to grow.
Landing rules
It is necessary to plant Pontic rhododendron in a hole, the depth of which is 40 cm and the diameter is 60 cm. In order to prepare the soil, you should take:
- peat - 8 buckets;
- loam - 3.5 buckets;
- clay - 2 buckets.
These components are mixed and poured into the bottom of the well. After the Pontic rhododendron is planted in a permanent place of growth, the soil is irrigated and mulched using peat, oak foliage, pine needles or moss for these purposes. The mulch layer should be about 6 cm.
Watering and fertilizing
Rhododendron loves moisture not only in the soil, but also in the air. It is recommended to approach the irrigation system especially carefully during the formation of buds and during the flowering period. For irrigation, you should use soft water - rainwater or water that has been left for several days. Adult bushes, as a rule, are watered every 2-3 weeks; each bush should require up to 1.5 buckets of water. If necessary, you can apply mineral and complex fertilizers, which will allow you to get abundant flowering.
Trimming
Pruning of rhododendron Pontius should be minimal. This is primarily due to the fact that the bushes independently form a fairly beautiful crown. Pruning is resorted to only in cases where it becomes necessary to remove shoots that are dry or frozen during the winter. It is best to prune in the spring before the sap begins to flow. After the shoots have been removed, the cut areas are treated with garden varnish. After a month, you can observe the formation of dormant buds. Old bushes must be removed to a height of up to 40 cm.
Preparing for winter
Preparation of the Pontic rhododendron for wintering is of no small importance. It is important to understand that in winter, during severe frosts, there is a high probability that the crop will die. That is why it is recommended to cover the bushes. Burlap is perfect for covering. It is worth putting spruce or pine branches between the shoots, and the bushes are tied together with rope. It is necessary to remove these shelters only after the snow has melted.
Reproduction
If necessary, Pontic rhododendron can be propagated. At the moment there are several ways: cuttings and seeds.
The method of propagation by cuttings is as follows:
- After the crop has flowered, it is necessary to cut cuttings up to 8 cm long.
- After this, the planting material is placed in a solution of potassium permanganate and immersed in the soil.
- After 60 days, you can observe the appearance of the first roots - during this period of time the plant can be planted in open ground.
If you plan to use seeds for planting, then adhere to the following algorithm:
- In spring, the seeds are planted in nutritious soil consisting of sand and peat.
- The top of the soil is irrigated and covered with a small layer of sand.
- After 4 weeks, the first shoots appear.
It is recommended to pick seedlings several times - in June and March.
Diseases and pests
As practice shows, Pontian rhododendron is most often susceptible to root rot, rust and leaf spot. In this case, it is recommended to take appropriate measures to resolve the problem in a timely manner.Fundazol, Bordeaux mixture, and copper oxychloride are excellent for processing crops.
Among the pests this variety is afraid of are spider mites and rhododendron bugs. As a preventative measure, many gardeners recommend treating with warm water. Pests appear only if the air is very dry.
Conclusion
Pontian rhododendron is a variety that has an attractive appearance. A distinctive feature of this variety is the rich, bright color of the buds and a strong aroma, which can rightfully be called intoxicating. If you provide the plants with proper care, they will decorate any area and delight you with their appearance.
