The latest culture methods and matters needing attention of rhododendron

Rhododendron, also known as Yingshanhong and pomegranate, is an evergreen or ordinary green shrub with luxuriant and colorful flowers blooming in spring. Azaleas have always been a favorite flower. I think many people have raised azaleas. Many people may not know the methods and points for attention of azaleas. The following editor will introduce to you the relevant skills and matters needing attention in cultivating azaleas.

Growth condition

Rhododendron is born in mountain sparse thickets or pine forests at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level. It likes acidic soil and does not grow well or even in calcareous soil, so pedologists often regard rhododendron as an indicator crop of acidic soil.

Rhododendron likes cool, moist and ventilated semi-shady environment, and is afraid of both extreme heat and cold. The suitable temperature for growth is 12 ℃ to 25 ℃. When the summer temperature exceeds 35 ℃, the new shoots and leaves grow slowly and are in a semi-dormant state. Sunscreen should be used in summer and warm and cold in winter.

Avoid hot sun exposure, suitable for growth under scattered light with low light intensity, too strong light, young leaves are easy to burn, new leaves and old leaves scorched edge, serious will lead to plant death. In winter, cuckoos cultivated in open field should take measures to prevent cold in order to ensure their safety through the winter. Among the ornamental rhododendrons, the cold resistance of rhododendron is the weakest, and the freezing injury is easy to occur when the temperature drops below 0 ℃.

Basin soil requirement

Rhododendron is a kind of acid soil with loose nature, strong permeability, good drainage and rich in humus, and its PH value is 5.0 ~ 6.0. If you use clay or alkaline soil, it will be difficult to live. Summer cuckoos and rhododendrons, in particular, must be mountain soil. The mountain soil needs to be reformed. at present, three kinds of culture soil are usually used:

1. 7 parts of mountain soil, 1 part of dry moss grass, 2 parts of dry rot leaf soil and 1 part of dry fertilizer were mixed.

2. 3 parts of mountain skin soil (topsoil), 3 parts of horse manure, 3 parts of deciduous weeds and 1 part of human feces were piled in layers and screened for 2 years.

3. Mix 3 parts of mountain soil, 3 parts of rotten leaf soil, 4 parts of garden soil and 2 parts of sand, and add 50 grams of sesame sauce dregs and bone powder in each basin.

Flowerpot selection

According to the use of flowerpots for breeding rhododendrons, mud pots and purple sand pots are generally selected. The mud basin has good ventilation and permeability, which is beneficial to the growth of root system. The molded azaleas, especially the modeled azaleas, are furnished for indoor and outdoor furnishings, generally planted in a beautiful and quaint purple sand basin with delicate texture, rich color and beautiful shape, which can double the ornamental value. Purple sand basin permeability is not as good as mud basin, when planting, should be in the surrounding basin wall pad with broken tiles (old tiles) so as to facilitate drainage.

The size of the selected pot depends on the age of the plant, generally 5-inch pot for 4-6-year-old plants, 6-inch pots for 7-10-year-old plants, 8 inch pots for 11-15 reproductive plants, and so on.

Fertilizer and water management

It is best to use Rain Water to water azaleas, followed by river and pond water. If tap water is used, it is advisable to store the water for 2 days and let the chlorine volatilize and then use. Pay attention to adding 0.2% ferrous sulfate when using it, and watering it every 10 days during the growing season. Use it frequently to ensure that the soil is acidic. Azaleas like yin and dampness and should not be too dry. More moisture is needed during flowering.

① winter rhododendron has entered a dormant period, water demand is not much, generally every 4 times every 5 days watering, should be carried out around noon in sunny and warm days. It can be watered appropriately depending on the drying condition of the basin soil.

During ② March, the roots of rhododendron sprouted, and the water demand increased. The growth and development of summer cuckoo is a little late, and the amount of water should be less than that of spring cuckoo. Usually water the right amount every 2 days in the morning.

③ Azalea blossoms one after another from April to June, and the branches and leaves also begin to sprout, which requires a large amount of water and should be watered once every morning or evening.

During the high temperature and dry season from July to early September, ④ should be watered once in the morning and evening. The amount of water should not be too much, and spray water on the leaf surface and the ground at noon to keep the moist environment.

The weather of ⑤ turns cool gradually from the middle of September to November, which is the adaptive period for the growth of rhododendron. In order to prevent the autumn shoots from being pulled out and enhance the cold resistance of overwintering, the amount of water should be reduced appropriately. Generally water one time every other morning and keep it moist. Azaleas prefer fertilizer, generally using rotten cake fertilizer, fish meal, broad beans or purple clouds after water watering, avoid using human feces and urine. After leaving the house to before the flower bud blossoms, apply thin fertilizer every 10 days, the concentration is 15%, a total of 2 Mel 3 times, to promote the old leaves to turn green and sprout new roots. After the flowers fade, in order to promote the growth of branches and leaves, fertilization was applied 6 times from mid-May to early July. If it rains continuously, dry fertilizer can be applied. Before entering the house, before the growth of azaleas is about to stop, fertilizers should be applied for 1 / 2 times.

Outdoor shading

1. It is advisable to see more sunshine before leaving the room and before enlightening.

2. During the flowering period, shading should be carried out for a short time at noon, and the light transmittance is 60%.

3. During the Meiyu period from June to early July, the rhododendron leaves and branches should be seen as much as possible. However, in case of strong sunlight, it should also be shaded from 9 am to 4 pm to prevent new leaves from being burned.

4. From mid-July to early September, shade should be provided from 8 am to 5 pm every day to prevent the scorching sun from shining.

5. When the autumn growth period after September can shorten the shading time, it can be shaded from 10:00 to 4 p.m.

6. it is advisable to see more sunshine after October.

Shaping and pruning

Azaleas grow slowly and are generally allowed to grow naturally, only after flowering, cutting off long branches, diseased and weak branches, deformed branches and damaged branches.

The cultivation method of rhododendron is basically introduced to you. Let's take a look at the pest control methods and matters needing attention in the process of rhododendron culture.