The moon not only makes itself felt through the tides, but affects all fluids in all life forms. In order to get a better foothold, the rhododendron needs growth-promoting support from light and nutrients. This is exactly why many gardeners use the power of the moon to care for rhododendrons. More tips for rhododendron care…

Perfect rhododendron care - watering how and when?

Small watering errors often cause major plant damage. Typical example: The total amount of irrigation water is required, but is administered in unfavorable quantities and at unfavorable intervals. It makes sense to inform you about correct watering.

Older, well-rooted plants regulate their water balance themselves under normal weather conditions. A freshly planted or pruned rhododendron must be watered thoroughly even in rainy weather. A pouring rim piled up around the roots keeps the water at the roots. Once rooted, water once a week.

Too wet or too dry? Ask the spade or your finger

Dig a small hole with the spade. If the soil is dry up to a depth of ten centimetres, it must be watered thoroughly. Depending on the weather, place the hose on the plant for an hour and let the water slowly seep away with little pressure. Watering too short only moistens superficially. Mulching maintains and increases soil moisture.

With potted plants, your finger can feel at a depth of 3 cm whether there is a need for water. Watering intervals that are too short wash out the nutrients quickly. Liquid fertilizer immediately compensates for a possible deficiency.

The plant needs moist roots but no waterlogging! Therefore, make sure that the soil or root ball is moist, but not standing in water. The general rule for flat-rooted plants is: Better more and not so often than regularly just a little.

Which irrigation water do rhododendrons prefer?

A rhododendron does not tolerate hard water. Therefore rainwater or stagnant tap water. To soften the irrigation water, simply hang a bag of peat in the irrigation water for a day!

Perfect rhododendron care - but how to repot?

Whether large or small - as a shallow root, a rhododendron can be repotted relatively easily.
The right time: With a full moon in spring or early autumn, in order to form enough roots before the first minus temperatures.

Repotting - what to do?

A rhododendron prefers a semi-shady location and acidic soil with a pH of 4.0 to a maximum of 5.5.

Cut back the rhododendron a little before repotting, break off any flowered umbels and shorten the root system a little, this activates new root formation and stimulates growth. Water the rhododendron balls well. Plant the plant at the same height as before. Never go deeper, otherwise the roots will suffer. Press down the rhododendron soil lightly and water plenty of it, adding a little more fertilizer in three weeks. Then just wait for the Sherpas and drink rhododendron tea until the next lush bloom in spring…

Pruning rhododendrons - when and how?

Rhododendron cut during the waning moon cannot bleed out because the saps descend. The closer to the new moon, the better the effect. Pruning rhododendrons at the right time will allow the plant to recover over the summer and form new flower buds.

Cut rhododendron - how?

Make sure you cut at a slight angle and avoid cutting horizontally! Not only to keep your fellow human beings out of danger ;), but so that rainwater does not collect on the cut surface and freeze in sub-zero temperatures.

Rhododendron pests - which pests are the worst?

Rhododendrons attract numerous insects. These rhododendron pests attack the plant particularly often.

  • aphids
  • Whitefly
  • Vine Weevil Beetle
  • bugs
  • cicadas

Why yellow leaves?

Just like people, plants turn pale and yellow when they are lacking something or when they are sick. Yellow leaves and pale green indicate deficiency symptoms in rhododendrons. Another sure indication of this is that the rhododendron does not form buds and does not bloom.

Why brown leaves?

Despite proper care and optimal location, brown leaves and spots on buds can affect the rhododendron. In order to take effective action, you need to know what is causing the disease. Insidious rhododendron pests are spreading: we will show you how to drive away the killers quickly and permanently and how to treat discolored leaves effectively.

Fertilize rhododendrons - how and when?

In order to achieve dense growth and colorful flowers in rhododendrons, correct fertilization plays an important role. Because the root system of the rhododendron branches out widely on the surface, nutrients must be able to be absorbed directly in the soil. To fertilize rhododendrons, it is best to use organic fertilizers or special rhododendron fertilizers.

Avoid calcareous fertilizers such as rock dust. Most rhododendron varieties react sensitively to calcareous soils in addition to a pH value that is too high. On the other hand, like all shrubs, they appreciate mulch in loose soil.

Rhododendrons in winter - what should be considered?

Rhododendrons overwinter in our latitudes in the garden. A sheltered location and additional covering of the roots with brushwood is only required for species that are cultivated in tubs and are less hardy. Important: Don't forget to water in dry winter weather as long as the ground doesn't freeze. As evergreen plants, rhododendrons evaporate a lot of water through their large leaves.

tips and tricks

Rhododendrons are important framework and structure builders in the garden. You can plant them not only individually, but also in groups or as hedges.

Category:

Vegetable garden