Management of soilless propagation of rhododendron

Breeding method

Rhododendron can be propagated by cutting, grafting, striping and sowing, while cutting and grafting are widely used, and the excellent characteristics of crystal seeds can be maintained. The sowing method is mainly used for cross breeding to select excellent individual plants.

Most of the cuttings are semi-lignified branches, which can be carried out from May to August. Often use river sand, perlite and peat as the matrix. Cover the flowerpot with a plastic bag and put it in a half-shaded place. Spray water once a day in the morning and evening for a week. Keep the pot soil moist after that.

Under the condition of 20-25 ℃, the general varieties can take root in about 40 days. If the cuttings are treated with rooting powder or vitamin B12, it can promote rapid rooting and more rooting. If a large number of cuttings are propagated, the all-light spray cutting method can be adopted, which has the advantages of fast rooting and high survival rate.

Grafting usually uses rhododendron which is easy to be cut as rootstock and rhododendron with excellent varieties as scion, using abdominal grafting, split grafting or leaning grafting. The varieties that are not easy to survive by cutting and grafting can only be propagated by high branch pressing method, which can take root for about half a year.

Cultivation and management

Multi-purpose potted rhododendron is convenient for supreme cultivation, especially the very popular precious rhododendron treasures are more suitable for potted plants. The main points of soilless cultivation of rhododendron are introduced as follows.

The soilless cultivation of rhododendron often chooses ordinary medium-sized plastic flowerpots (15cm-20cm) or large imitation ceramic flowerpots according to plant size. Acidic substrates such as pine needles, peat, sawdust and coconut shell fiber can be used, or the mixed substrate of peat and vermiculite or pearl charcoal (2:1) can be used. Due to the fine root system of rhododendron, small contact surface between large grain matrix (such as ceramsite) and root system, strong ventilation and easy to dry up, ceramsite and perlite can not be used alone.

The nutrient solution of cultivated rhododendron requires strong acidity (pH value 4.5-5.5), which can meet the most suitable environmental acidity requirements of rhododendron root system. All kinds of nutrients in the nutrient solution are comprehensive and in an appropriate proportion to meet the needs of rhododendron growth and flowering. Special nutrient solution or comprehensive nutrient solution for rhododendron can be selected.

After planting, the nutrient solution should be irrigated thoroughly for the first time (diluted 3 murmurs 5 times). Buy half a shade for about half a month after slow seedling, enter the normal management. Fluid replacement every 10 days on weekdays, each medium-sized flowerpot 100-150 ml; large pot 200 Mel 250 ml. Replenish water on weekdays to keep the matrix moist, but do not make water in the basin and in the basin bottom tray. Azaleas are not tolerant to alkali, and the pH value of tap water used in cities is usually higher than 7. Watering flowers with this kind of water for a long time will cause the leaves to turn yellow, fall off and die. The simple solution is to set up a water tank in the place where azaleas are planted, which can be used to bask in the water, and you can put some grass, vegetable leaves and melon peels in the water. After about a week, the pH value of the water can be reduced to less than 7. If in order to clean, you can use vinegar essence or edible vinegar to adjust the pH of the water, about 1 tablespoon of edible vinegar to 500 ml of water. It is best to prepare some pH test paper by yourself, and try the pH value of the water before watering the flowers. If it is too alkaline, it should be adjusted before watering.

The whole growth process of potted rhododendron needs a semi-overcast environment. Spring, summer, autumn three seasons all need shade, in the family indoor also wants to avoid the strong light to shine directly, may see some sunshine appropriately in winter. Hot and muggy summer often causes azaleas yellow leaves, fallen leaves, and even death, so we should pay attention to ventilation cooling, water spray cooling. The suitable room temperature in winter is about 10 ℃.

Using the above soilless cultivation method, it is believed that rhododendron can be cultivated well in acidic or alkaline areas.