How to grow and care for Rhododendron

Rhododendron is the first flower to open in the field. It mainly grows on hillsides, meadows, bushes and so on. How to grow and care for Rhododendron flowers? The first thing is to have an adaptive environment, and the soil should use acid soil. The following sorts out growing Rhododendron care.

When to grow Rhododendron

The American Rhododendron Society (ARS) recommends the following planting instances primarily based on your climate.

Mild climates: Rhododendrons and azaleas can be planted year-round

Cold climates: Early spring planting is best, with early fall planting a appropriate 2d choice

Hot climates: Fall planting permits the plant's root gadget to set up at some point of the cooler months

Where to grow Rhododendron

In addition to filtered color and accurate drainage, pick out a spot with safety from the wind. The ARS recommends that you keep away from planting rhododendrons or azaleas close to concrete due to the fact it creates alkaline soil stipulations that are unsafe to their development. Furthermore, do not plant rhododendrons or azaleas close to different floor roots that compete for space, water and vitamins.

How to care for Rhododendron

1. Environment care for growing Rhododendron

Rhododendron flowers like moist and ventilated environments. When we grow and care for Rhododendron, the temperature should be controlled at 12-25℃ during the growth period. If the temperature is too high, it grows slowly and is in a semi-dormant state.

2. Soil care for growing Rhododendron

Rhododendron flowers prefer loose, permeable, well-drained, humus-rich acidic soils with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0. Rhododendron flowers are difficult to grow if they are clay or alkaline soil.

3. Lighting care for growing Rhododendron

Rhododendron flowers do not like to be exposed to the sun, so do not keep them in direct sunlight in summer. When we grow and care for rhododendron in summer, we should pay attention to shading. Generally, it is fine in other seasons in the north, if the sun is too strong, the leaves of Rhododendron flowers will be easily burned.

4. Watering care for growing Rhododendron

Rhododendron watering principle, generally see dry see wet, pouring will be poured through, watering can not only wet the surface of the soil. When we grow and care for Rhododendron, if the soil is found dry, it is necessary to water immediately, generally two or three days will be watered once.

5. Fertilization care for growing Rhododendron

Rhododendron has a long flowering period. When we grow and care for Rhododendron, we should not apply fertilizer during the flowering period, but must apply phosphate fertilizer before the flowering period, and we need to replenish nitrogen fertilizer after the flowers fall, and we usually use ferrous sulfate to maintain the pH of the soil.

6. Rhododendron diseases & pests 

The best way to prevent damage to your plants is to make sure they are properly planted and well maintained.

Propagating rhododendron

Making cuttings is the easiest and fastest technique to propagate rhododendron.

Preparing rhododendron cuttings can be done all summer long.

Collect 6 to 8 inch (15 to 20 cm) cuttings from non-flowering stems.

Remove lower pairs of leaves, keeping only the topmost one or two pairs.

If you so wish, dip the base of the cuttings in powdered rooting agents.

Place your cuttings in nursery pots filled with cutting soil mix.

Keep the substrate moist and put the cuttings near light, but not in direct sunlight.