Rhododendron shrub (azalea) is a lush flowering plant that is grown mainly in open ground. This is especially true for eastern countries and North America, but some species are common in Australia, and some in the Far Eastern territory of Russia. At the same time, azalea also perfectly survives at home as a potted plant, which makes you admire yourself during the entire flowering period.
What does a rhododendron shrub look like
The genus Rhododendron belongs to the Vereskov family. In total, there are more than 800 species of representatives of this genus. Most often these are evergreen semi-deciduous / deciduous shrubs, but in the nature there are also varieties in the form of trees.
Rhododendron indoor
Interesting! Many species of wild rhododendron are poisonous. Moreover, all of their parts are saturated with poison - stems, leaves and even flowers. Excess substances contained in them can even be fatal.
Common types and varieties
The most popular types of rhododendron, which are actively used as cultivated plants, are the following:
- Rhododendron Daursky.
Places of growth: Primorye, Korea, China, East Siberia, Mongolia.
Form of growth: wide, sprawling, semi-deciduous shrub up to 4 m high. The bark is gray in color, the leaves are small, up to 3 cm, scaly on the underside. Differs in the increased frost resistance.
Flowering lasts about a month. It blooms large, up to 4 cm in diameter, with lilac flowers. It has a hybrid undersized garden variety with brighter and larger flowers.
Daurian look
- Rhododendron Adams.
Habitats: Far East, Tibet.
Evergreen shrub up to 2 m in height. The leaves have an oblong shape, dark green in color, reach 2 cm both in length and in width.
Pink flowers are small, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, but look spectacular due to the fact that they are collected in inflorescences of 7-15 copies.
Rhododendron adams
- Azalea Sims.
Indoor variety that blooms in spring. However, breeders have already achieved winter flowering of some hybrids of this species.
Most often it is a shrub up to 50 cm in height, less often a standard tree, stretching up to 1.5 m.
The flowers are mainly white, pink or red. Some hybrids have salmon hues.
Azalea sims
Interesting! As soon as the azalea appears in the apartment, moths and ants immediately disappear from it.
Briefly about the history of the appearance
The name Rhododendron is translated as "rosewood" (from the Greek "rhodon" - rose and "dendron" - tree).
According to one of the legends prevalent in Europe, it is believed that once in a forest there was a terrible fire. Elves in a hurry tried to escape from him, they flew to the foot of the mountain and, tired, they asked for an overnight stay in the new forest. But no one wanted to accept strangers, except for one bush.
In the morning, the rested elves decided to thank him for his hospitality and gave him flowers of incredible beauty. So this wonderful flower appeared.
Interesting! In Russia, rhododendron appeared only at the beginning of the twentieth century. He was brought as a gift to the king. Initially, it was grown only in royal gardens and greenhouses.
Features of caring for a rhododendron at home
Indoor rhododendron is a very demanding plant to care for, in order for it to bloom annually, it is necessary to take care of it especially carefully, observing a number of requirements. Even flower lovers with extensive experience cannot always cope with this.
Temperature
In nature, the flower grows in countries with a cool climate, so at home it needs a low temperature.
The best option is + 15 ° C. If this is not possible, then the pot should be placed with it so that the temperature does not rise above 22 ° C.
Lighting
When growing a rhododendron at home, one should also take into account his preferences for the location. It is best to put a pot with it on the north side, placing it in light partial shade.
Important! Azalea does not tolerate direct sunlight. From this, the plant may die.
Watering
Watering should be done regularly, but avoiding stagnation of moisture in the pot.
The best solution would be the lower version of the watering - through the pan. It is necessary to pour water into it, let the bush stand for a couple of hours, after which the remaining water should be drained.
It is best to water melt or rainwater. If not, then well defended. You can periodically add a couple of drops of lemon to the water, the plant will like it.
Spraying
Spraying should be carried out daily, but from a long distance. Large drops of water should not fall on the leaves and flowers of the plant.
Humidity
Indoor flower rhododendron is extremely sensitive to air humidity. She must always be high.
To ensure the desired level, next to the pot, you can put a vessel filled with wet moss, or a bowl of water.
Important! Most home rhododendrons have died due to high temperature and low humidity.
Priming
It is best to buy in the store a special soil for growing azaleas. Since the plant is demanding not only for external care, but also for the acid-base balance of the soil mixture.
The soil for rhododendron should be loose, light, well-permeable, and have an acidity level of at least 4-4.5 pH. To add looseness, you can add a little peat or river sand to the finished soil.
Top dressing
Azalea needs to be fed regularly twice a month. For this, a special complex of mineral fertilizers is bought.
During the period of vegetative development and buds, they feed it with a solution of superphosphate (1 g of fertilizer per 1 liter of water).
Features of winter care, rest period
In most azaleas, the dormant period begins at the end of spring, at the end of flowering.
At this time, it is cut, transplanted, if necessary, remove all residual flowers and continue to carry out standard care. The regime of watering, feeding and spraying rhododendron during the rest period does not change.
In the summer, you can take the pot with the plant to the garden, putting it in partial shade and preventing overheating.
In winter, during the flowering period, you need to carefully monitor the dying flowers and immediately remove them to give the opportunity to develop a new, more powerful one.
When and how rhododendron blooms
Azalea blooms only for 3-4 years of its life, therefore, if a young plant does not bloom, you should not worry and think that something is going wrong. You just need to wait for it to fully mature.
Types of flowers
Azalea flowers can be simple, double and semi-double, most often they are large, are located one by one, smaller ones are usually collected in lush inflorescences.
Simple flower azalea
On average, their diameter is 3-5 cm. Flowers of some varieties have a pleasant subtle odor.
Terry Azalea
Flower shapes
There are several options for the shape of the rhododendron flowers, they depend solely on the species and variety.
The following forms are distinguished:
- funnel-shaped;
- tubular;
- bell-shaped;
- wheel-shaped.
Flowering period
The flowering period directly depends on the plant variety. There are varieties that bloom in winter, in November-December, and there are those that bloom in February-April.
Despite the fact that the splendor of rhododendron during the flowering period cannot be described and they want to be admired for as long as possible, it blooms not for long - no more than 1.5 months at home. Unfortunately, the plant blooms only once a year.
Changes in flowering care
You can not make any changes for the rhododendron during its flowering. But if you want to slightly extend this period, you can gradually lower the temperature in the room where the plant is located.
Important! During the period of budding and flowering, the pot can not be moved to a new place, this threatens to drop buds or freeze their development.
Pruning Rhododendron Shrub
It is the correct pruning of azaleas that is the key to its magnificent and long-term flowering.
The period of the procedure is May. At this time, new shoots form on the bush. They are pinched in such a way that only 4-5 leaves are left.
If there is a desire to grow a standard tree, then you need to cut off all the shoots, except the most powerful and strong. It is tied to a support and, upon reaching the desired height, pinch the top. The tree will begin to branch. In order for it to acquire a spherical shape, it must be periodically turned in different directions to the light.
For a bushy shape, you can simply cut off all shoots to 10 cm annually and completely get rid of weak, diseased shoots.
How to Propagate Rhododendron
The question of how to propagate rhododendron at home, raises many flower growers. There are several basic ways to propagate this beautiful plant.
Seed germination
Germinating seeds is the most difficult way that only professionals use. For beginners, something can hardly work out.
Attention! When buying seeds, you should pay attention to the period of their collection (no more than two years) and the absence of damage. Ideally, if the seeds were collected independently.
Planting time: early to mid-spring. For earlier sowing, additional illumination with phytolamps is necessary until a 12-hour daylight is provided.
Step-by-step instructions for sowing homemade rhododendron seeds:
- At the bottom of the tank where the seeds will germinate, a layer of drainage is poured.
- A substrate is poured on top of it so that it does not reach 1-2 cm to the edge. The substrate is leveled, but not compacted.
- The topsoil is disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.
- Seeds are laid out on top dry on top of the substrate in neat, even rows. The distance between them should be at least 1 cm.
- The soil is moistened with a spray gun.
- The vessel is covered with a film or glass.
For seed germination, it is necessary to provide them with long daylight hours, high temperature and regular spraying. About a month after sowing, the first, very weak shoots appear. But this process can drag on for a longer period.
After the sprouts have grown a little, it is necessary to remove them from the greenhouse state and sharply reduce the temperature to 10-12 ° C. This is quite dangerous, but necessary. At this time, only the bottom watering can be done. When the first leaves appear, the plant is dived.
Rooting cuttings
Propagation of rhododendrons by cuttings is the most popular type of reproduction at home.
The cutting process can be carried out from May to August. A slightly lignified strong stalk is cut up to 10 cm in size. The cut is processed by root growth stimulants. Then it is planted vertically in the soil for azaleas, well, a depth of about 2-3 cm.
A glass jar or film creates greenhouse conditions. The greenhouse is periodically removed for ventilation, watering and spraying.
In a month, rooting will occur, but the first flowering will have to wait at least two years.
Azalea cuttings
Air lay
For this method, an adult tree with a large number of young, flexible layering is used.
The required number of shoots is selected, an incision is made on them about 5 cm long and bent into a previously dug shallow groove (3 cm). The contact areas with the soil should be completely cleared of leaves and buds.
Attention! The roots appear after 1-2 months, but to plant a young plant from the mother can only be the next year. Flowering will come no sooner than after 2 years. This method can be used either from May to August.
These are the main options for how to propagate rhododendrons at home. Each grower chooses for himself exactly how these beautiful shrubs will grow specifically with him. There are other ways, for example, by dividing the bush. It is most often used for transplanting adult plants. You can also try rooting the leaf. The principle is the same as in cuttings, but the azalea will take longer, and flowering will have to wait at least three years.
Rhododendron transplant at home
Rhododendron transplantation is carried out immediately after the end of the flowering period.
Its main purpose is to check the root system, remove dried and damaged roots and dead peduncles.
Young azaleas should be transplanted annually, adult bushes - once every two to three years.
Possible problems in growing
Since the rhododendron shrub is an extremely whimsical plant, there can be many problems with it. He will instantly respond to any insufficiently comfortable conditions.
Discards buds and leaves
This most often indicates improper care. First of all, you need to create the most comfortable temperature for him and not to dry the air.
When correcting these shortcomings, most likely, the plant will turn green again, and the development of buds will continue. It is also possible to increase the top dressing, as there is a possibility that there is an insufficient amount of nutrients in the soil.
Disease
- Chlorosis.
Symptoms: leaves turn yellow for no reason.
Solution: increase the acidity of the water used by the plant. Do not put it in too warm rooms; it is better to gradually lower the temperature to 15 ° C. Can be sprayed with magnesium sulfate
- Necrosis.
Symptoms: the entire main stem dies.
Reason: the temperature is too low.
Solution: the leaves can no longer be saved, it is necessary to completely cut them off and raise the room temperature.
- Fungal diseases.
Symptoms: manifested in different ways - can cause root rot, problems with leaves or stems.
Solution: you need to think about what mistakes were made when caring for the plant and correct them.
Pests
- Rhododendron bug.
This is a small insect with wings, the size of which is approximately 3 mm. On the back of the leaves he lays larvae, which in the process of development suck out all the juices from the leaves.
- Azalea Moth.
Its caterpillars devour leaves and pupate on them. To get rid of the problem, you can spray the plant with sulfur and remove all damaged leaves.
- Ticks
Attention! On this plant, three of their species can parasitize - red, strawberry and spider. Their embryos and larvae devour absolutely all parts of the plant. Finding them is not always easy, because they choose the back of the sheet as the place of their dislocation.
All types of pests that may appear on the rhododendron bush will be helped by special insecticides sold in flower and horticultural stores.
Other problems
Azalea problems are of a different nature. Most of them are due to improper care. So, for example, with excessive overmoistening, root decay can occur, if you do not notice it in time, the plant will die.
Direct sunlight causes sunburn in the form of brown spots on delicate leaves. To prevent all of this, not one of the rules for caring for rhododendron should be neglected.
Despite the fact that the planting and care of the rhododendron shrub is quite complicated, it should be bought by lovers of indoor flowers. After all, not many flora representatives are able to bloom in the coldest time of the year, brightening up gray everyday life with bright colors and adding joy and brightness to the house. Their flowering can not leave anyone indifferent.One has only to treat it carefully and the flower will immediately thank its owner for the lush and fragrant flowering.
