Description of Katevbinsky rhododendron species, planting and care rules
Among rhododendrons, it is Katevbinsky that is the first representative of an evergreen shrub brought to Europe from North America. New varieties have been created that can grow in the harsh climate of Russia. The flower is capricious, but if you follow the right care, we get an ornamental plant that adorns the spring garden with brightly blooming bushes.
Feature and Description
Rhododendron forms a lush spherical bush. Plant height reaches 4 meters. Glossy ellipse-shaped leaves of dark green color. The root system is 40 centimeters deep.
Blooms with pink bells with a diameter of 6 centimeters. They are collected in brushes of 20 colors. The flowering bush creates the effect of a pink cloud, for which it is called a rose tree. The plant is long-lived, growing up to 100 years. Rhododendron Katevbinsky blooms in May, flowering continues for a month. When flowering ends, fruits are formed. These are seed pods. The seeds reach maturity in October.
Kinds
On the basis of the original species of Katevbinsky rhododendron, hybrids have been bred that differ in winter hardiness, the shape of the bush and inflorescences, and the color of flowers. Popular are:
- Album (Catawbiense album).
- Grandiflorum.
- Katevbins Burso.
- Cunningham`s White.
For all their differences, they have common features that emphasize their belonging to this plant species.
Album
The shape of the bush is elongated upward, the height is 3 meters. It blooms in large white inflorescences with a yellow center. Flowering lasts from late May to late June. Withstands winter temperatures down to -30 degrees.
Grandiflorum
The most common type of Katevbinsky rhododendron, the first variety derived from the wild species. The bush is shaped like a ball with a diameter of 2.5 meters. Blooms profusely from early May for a month. Flowers - white, pink, lilac, collected in inflorescences. Transfers temperatures up to -32 degrees.
Burso
Rhododendron hybrid, very winter-hardy (up to -32 degrees), retains all the properties of the species. The bush has a spreading shape, tends to grow in breadth.
White
The Cunningham's White rhododendron hybrid is called White. Snow-white flowers have a central petal, strewn with small purple specks. The length of the petal is 5 centimeters, 9 flowers are collected in the inflorescence.
Landing
Rhododendron needs a loose peat soil with a 4.5-5.5 pH reaction. The following composition is prepared:
- 3 parts of high-moor peat;
- 2 parts of coniferous litter;
- 1 part coarse sand.
The soil is thoroughly mixed and poured into the planting hole. You can take special soil for rhododendrons and azaleas. It is important that it is acidic and breathable. The compact root system does not require a deep hole, 40 centimeters is enough, 60 centimeters in diameter. The place is prepared in advance, waiting for the soil to settle.
Boarding time
If seedlings in pots with a developed root system are selected, you can plant the Katevbinsky rhododendron starting in May and all summer.
Selection of seedlings
An important point is the choice of rhododendron seedlings. They are purchased in specialized stores. Must be 2-3 years old. The best will be potted plants brought from nurseries in Finland, as they are grown in a climate similar to Russia. Saplings from Holland and France are suitable for the southern regions.
Important. Don't buy large shrubs or rooted rhododendron cuttings. They are unlikely to take root in a new place.
Site requirements
For the Katevbinsky rhododendron, a place where the sun's rays are scattered through the leaves of trees is suitable. Bushes are planted at a distance of 2 meters from their trunks. The best neighborhood is spruce, pine, larch. Landings must be protected from cold winds. Shrubs should not be planted near shallow-rooted plants.
Landing scheme
Rhododendrons are grown in groups or in a single planting, can be placed along the hedge. The distance between the bushes is maintained from one and a half to two meters.
Care
Plant care includes the following work:
- Watering.
- Fertilization.
- Mulching and loosening.
- Weed removal.
Compliance with the rules when performing these works will help to grow a healthy and beautiful plant.
Drainage
If the site has heavy clay soil, drainage must be done before planting the rhododendron. The drainage layer is laid at a depth of 10-15 centimeters. For this, gravel, coarse sand, crushed stone are suitable.
Mulching
Mulching is performed to cover the roots from overheating, retain moisture in the soil, and drown out weeds. The best mulch for rhododendron is fallen needles, sawdust from coniferous trees, dry peat.
Watering
Heather crops do not like drying out of the soil due to the surface location of the roots. Water the plants 2 times a week in hot weather. Young bushes are sprayed. Moisture should not be excessive, watered only when the topsoil dries up.
Top dressing
In spring, the rhododendron needs nitrogen. A solution is made from 1 tablespoon of ammonium nitrate and 10 liters of water. During flowering, the bushes are fed with acidic fertilizers for azaleas. In August, potassium sulfate is introduced - 1 tablespoon per 10 water. To acidify the soil, colloidal sulfur is scattered around the bushes (40-80 grams, depending on the size of the bush).
Bloom
During flowering, rhododendron requires special attention. It is fed, watered abundantly. It is important to remove faded inflorescences so that they do not interfere with the development of new ones and do not make the bush untidy.
Pruning
Pruning is done in early May, this plant is given a rounded shape and a neat appearance. Sometimes this procedure leads to a delay in the growth and flowering of the bush. Pruning is replaced by pinching the shoots.
Wintering
The roots of the plant are mulched with dry peat, sawdust or needles. For rhododendron, temperature drops in winter, the adhesion of snow to branches are dangerous. A support is installed around the bush and wrapped in lutrasil or other material that allows air to pass through. You can bend the bush to the ground and cover in a similar way.
Protection against diseases and pests
Rhododendron attracts various harmful insects and diseases.
The most dangerous are fungal diseases.It is necessary to become familiar with these problems.
Fungal diseases
Tracheomycosis. It starts with decay of the roots, then affects the whole plant. The diseased branches are removed, the plant is sprayed with Bordeaux liquid.
Phytophthora. Purple-brown spots appear on the trunk and branches. Sick shoots are cut off. The bush is sprayed with Fundazol, Topaz.
Septoria spotting. Brown specks are visible on the leaves, which turn into holes. The plant is treated with Bordeaux liquid, Skor, Topaz, Fundazol preparations.
Furrowed weevil
An adult beetle damages buds, buds, flowers and leaves. The larvae develop in the soil and destroy the roots, up to the root collar. It is difficult to fight, since the pest is insensitive to drugs.
Prevention is essential for the fight. Thoroughly cultivate the soil, make sure that there are no weevil larvae in it. From adults, the bushes are sprayed with insecticides - Demitan, Fitoverm, Karbofos.
Spider mite
Inhabits rhododendron bushes in hot dry weather. The mite is invisible, the presence is indicated by the cobweb on the leaves, which quickly dry out. Fertile insect. Spray with Aktara, Demitan or others every 6 days.
Acacia false shield
A small brown insect gnaws at the bark and sucks out the juice, which leads to the death of the rhododendron bush. Destroyed by systematic treatment with contact pesticides such as Aktara.
Tobacco thrips
Damages leaves and buds. Methods of struggle - like with acacia false shield.
Rhododendron mite
Its appearance is indicated by black dots on the back surface of rhododendron leaves. Destroys the entire plant quickly. For processing, drugs of contact-intestinal action are used. They are changed so as not to become addictive.
Greenhouse whitefly
Destroys flowers and leaves. It is most effective to spray the leaves from below with nicotine and oil emulsion in spring and autumn.
Gastropods
It affects the leaves of young bushes, gnawing holes in them. They are harvested by hand or the bush is treated with a 0.8% TMTD solution.
Reproduction methods
The most acceptable methods of reproduction of the Katevbinsky rhododendron:
- Seeds.
- Shoots.
Each method has the right to exist, is characterized by advantages and disadvantages.
Seed propagation
The best time to sow rhododendron seeds for seedlings is January. Seeds are scattered over the surface of the earth and germinated in the light at a temperature of 20 degrees. The grown seedlings are dived into separate pots and grown indoors until next spring. In May, they are transplanted into open ground.
Reproduction by shoots
On the lower branch, a small section of the bark is removed, then the branch is pressed to the ground and fixed with a bracket. For a year, the shoot forms its own root system, and it is separated from the bush. We get an independent plant, which we transplant to the chosen place.
You can propagate rhododendron by cuttings, but this is a long and not always successful process. It takes up to 6 months to root.
Reviews
Svetlana Fedulova, Smolensk.
“I didn't dare to plant a rhododendron for a long time, I thought I couldn't do it. Received a Catawbiense grandiflorum seedling as a gift. Planted on the west side of the house. I was afraid that she would not winter. She made the shelter in the form of a frame made of metal arcs, which she covered with two layers of lutrasil. In the spring the bush was alive and well. Bloomed in the third year with delicate purple flowers. "
Anna Proshina, Chernomorskoe, Crimea.
“Among my garden plants, rhododendron has been showing off for a long time. My favorite hybrid is Album. In our climate, the main task is to protect the bushes from the hot sun and drought. It grows among the acacias, in the openwork shade. I shelter from the bright sun and strong winds for the winter.
