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Rhododendron Rasputin is a medium-sized evergreen shrub. It is distinguished by abundant flowering, and the buds do not fall from the peduncles for a long time. In addition, this variety has the darkest flower color of all the varieties bred.
Description of the rhododendron variety Rasputin
This is a hybrid variety that, in favorable conditions, can grow up to 1.5 m in height. The diameter of the bush is on average 1.2-1.6 m. As can be seen in the photo below, the color of the buds of the Rasputin rhododendron variety varies from soft lilac to violet tones with a burgundy tint and crimson splashes. The flowers form dense, fairly large inflorescences.
Flowering of the Rasputin variety begins in late May-early June. The aroma is inexpressive, weak. Rhododendron fruits are neat boxes with seeds that ripen by autumn.
The leaves of the bush are dense, slightly elongated. Their length reaches 15 cm.The surface of the leaf plate is glossy, but dense. The outside is dark green, but the leaves are lighter on the inside. With the onset of cold weather, the Rasputin rhododendron does not shed its leaves, but turns brown, acquiring a golden-brown hue of foliage.
The root system of the variety is superficial and quite compact. The shoots are strong and erect. The bush grows freely and spreading.
Frost resistance of rhododendron Rasputin
The winter hardiness of the hybrid rhododendron Rasputin is good; it is a frost-resistant variety. The plant survives temperatures down to -28°C without negative consequences.
On the contrary, the shrub does not tolerate heat well if it grows in open sun. In conditions of light shading and regular spraying, the Rasputin variety can withstand temperatures up to +29-30°C.
Conditions for growing hybrid rhododendron Rasputin
Evergreen rhododendron variety Rasputin is usually placed in the shade of residential buildings or a fence. In addition, it is recommended to adhere to the following tips when growing shrubs:
- The Rasputin variety is unpretentious, but it is better to plant it in loose soil rich in humus.
- If the groundwater in the area chosen for planting is located too close to the surface of the earth, it is necessary to arrange a raised bed in this place.
- It is important to consider the proximity to other plants. The best neighbors for the Rasputin variety: larch, pine, oak. Despite the fact that these trees have a powerful root system, it goes deep, so they do not have competition for resources with rhododendron.The most unfavorable neighborhood: alder, poplar, chestnut, elm, linden, willow.
- Rhododendron Rasputin loves semi-shaded places, but you can also plant it in open areas. The most important thing is to water the plant located in the sun abundantly.
Planting and caring for rhododendron Rasputin
The agricultural technology for growing rhododendron is very simple - it is unpretentious and resistant to adverse weather conditions, and also does not require frequent treatments against pests. Shrub care includes the most basic procedures:
- watering;
- fertilizing;
- pruning;
- winter shelter for young plants.
You cannot loosen the soil around the bush, much less dig it up. The root system of the Rasputin variety lies too close to the surface and is easily damaged when loosened. All weeds are removed by hand.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Rhododendron Rasputin is undemanding to soil type. It grows well in almost all types of soil, but well-drained fertile areas with a high level of acidity are best suited. Before planting, the plants dig up a place for it and add into the soil a nutrient mixture of pine litter, loam and acidic high peat, taken in equal proportions.
Preparing the site also involves draining water at the planting site - the Rasputin variety does not tolerate stagnant moisture.
Seedling preparation
Rhododendron seedlings do not need additional processing before planting, however, in most cases, planting material is sold in special containers.Such storage is fraught with some complications.
The fact is that under container conditions, the rhododendron root system begins to die when the ends of the roots encounter an obstacle in the form of a pot wall. If a container with a seedling stagnates in a gardening store, the dead roots form a fairly dense “crust” around the active part of the root system. Thus, transplanting rhododendron into open ground does not change the situation much - the plant is still limited in growth and does not receive nutrients from the soil, since its root system is now in a container of natural origin.
Such starvation can lead to the death of the rhododendron. To prevent this from happening, before burying the seedling, cut its root ball slightly or carefully “loose” it and remove the thick crust.
Landing rules
Rhododendron Rasputin is planted according to the following scheme:
- The earthen ball of the seedling is dipped in a container of water for 15 minutes to soften it.
- In the prepared area, dig a planting hole about 60 cm deep and 50 cm in diameter.
- A drainage layer of broken brick or gravel and sawdust is placed at the bottom of the hole.
- A small mound of soil mixture is formed on top. The roots of the seedling are spread along its slopes.
- The root system of the rhododendron is carefully sprinkled with earth to the level of the root collar, after which the trunk circle is lightly compacted.
- The planting procedure is completed by abundant watering and mulching with spruce branches or sawdust.
Watering and fertilizing
Rhododendron Rasputin is watered regularly, but moderately. In extreme heat, it is recommended to spray the bushes daily. In general, about 10 liters of water are consumed per plant in the summer, 2 times a week, and you can only use warm, settled water. Additionally, you can slightly acidify it by adding a small amount of peat the day before watering.
The Rasputin variety does not particularly need fertilizers, but responds well to fertilizing. The following fertilizers are best suited for this garden crop:
- rotted manure;
- horn flour;
- ammonium sulfate;
- magnesium sulfate;
- superphosphate;
- potassium phosphate;
Rhododendron is fed for the first time in the spring, and the last time in July. Every time before adding fertilizer to the soil, the plant must be watered.
Organic matter is used in the form of liquid fertilizer. Take rotted cow manure, mix it with water in a ratio of 1:15 and leave for 2-3 days.
Mineral components are diluted in low concentration, about 1:1000. It is best to use the following rhododendron fertilization scheme:
- Before flowering, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied to the soil: ammonium sulfate (50 g), magnesium sulfate (50 g) per 1 m2.
- After flowering, rhododendron is fed as follows: ammonium sulfate (40 g) and superphosphate (20 g) per 1 m2.
Trimming
Rhododendron variety Rasputin is pruned only if the bush grows strongly, which does not happen often. As a rule, its shoots themselves form the correct silhouette of the bush.
If pruning is still necessary, then it should be done in early spring, before the sap begins to flow.All sections must subsequently be treated with garden varnish.
Old rhododendrons are pruned so that the height of the branches is no more than 40 cm above the ground.
Preparing for winter
Despite the fact that rhododendron Rasputin is classified as a winter-hardy variety, it is recommended to cover it with dry coniferous spruce branches or burlap for the winter. At the beginning of spring, the cover is removed in stages, protecting the leaves from burns from intense sun.
If the autumn turns out to be dry, the rhododendron is watered abundantly - 10-12 liters for each bush. If autumn, as usual, is rainy, then you won’t have to water the rhododendrons. By November, each bush is insulated in the root zone, laying a layer of peat around the tree trunk.
Reproduction
Rhododendron Rasputin can be propagated in almost all available ways:
- cuttings;
- seeds;
- layering.
The seed method is the most unpopular because of its labor intensity and significant time costs. Basically, rhododendron is propagated by cuttings - this method allows you to obtain a large amount of planting material at a time.
Cuttings are prepared as follows:
- In early August, young shoots are cut from the rhododendron and divided into 6-7 cm cuttings.
- The lower part of the cuttings is cleared of leaves and bark.
- Then the stripped end of the planting material is dipped into any growth stimulator. Kornevin is well suited for these purposes.
- After this, the cutting is buried slightly at an angle into the substrate by 2 m.
- The planting material is watered, covered with plastic wrap and placed in the shade. Containers with cuttings are kept in a greenhouse, which must be ventilated at least once a day.
- In a month, the cuttings will form a full-fledged root system. In the spring they are transplanted to a permanent place.
Diseases and pests
Rhododendron Rasputin rarely gets sick, but sometimes plantings are affected by a fungus when the roots of the plant are flooded by heavy rainfall or excess moisture accumulates in the soil after watering. In this case, the bush is restored using Bordeaux mixture, which is sprayed on the shoots and leaves of the plant.
Of the pests, only bugs and rhododendron mites pose a serious danger to the Rasputin variety. It is not difficult to get rid of them - the rhododendron is treated with a soap or tobacco solution.
Conclusion
Rhododendron Rasputin is an evergreen unpretentious shrub that can safely withstand fairly low temperatures. This quality allows you to easily grow it in most of the country, without fear that the plant will freeze in winter. Caring for rhododendron is simple and includes basic procedures that even a beginner in gardening can handle.
For more information on the peculiarities of growing rhododendron, see here:
