Rhododendron bushes with their abundance of flowers provide a colorful spectacle even when there aren't many flowers in the garden. Pleasing: The bog plants are quite uncomplicated to cultivate, provided you observe a few basic points when planting and caring for them.
A rhododendron in the garden fills the gardener's heart with joy
Site and soil requirements
In terms of soil conditions, rhododendrons are somewhat demanding. You need loose and humus-rich soil with good water storage properties. The pH should be in the acidic range between 4.5 and 5.5. To improve the soil, you can mix rhododendron soil with the topsoil and create ideal conditions in this way.
The flowering shrubs feel particularly comfortable in the light shade under tall trees. The north side of a building is also good. However, too little light is just as bad for the shrubs as full sunlight.
Set rhododendrons correctly
- The optimal planting time is from the end of April to mid-May.
- The planting hole should be twice as wide and deep as the root ball of the plant.
- Before planting, place the small shrub in a bucket filled with water for a while. This allows the storage organs to soak up liquid.
- Place in the planting hole. The surface of the bale must be three centimeters below the surface of the earth.
- Mix the excavation with rhododendron earth, fill up, compact the earth.
- Create a casting mold and water thoroughly.
Valuable care tips
pour
Rhododendrons need a steady water supply. As a shallow root, it is not possible for the plant to draw water from the deep layers of the earth. Therefore, water regularly during dry periods.
Fertilize
Fertilize the moor bed plant with special fertilizer in May and the end of July. To ensure that the plant is optimally supplied with nutrients, you should occasionally check the pH of the soil. Too high a pH leads to chlorosis, which you can recognize by yellowing of the leaves.
To cut
In principle, it is not necessary to cut back rhododendrons. However, you can bring bushes that have become too lush back into shape with a targeted cut. The ideal time for this is early spring. Unfortunately, this care measure often means that the plant does not flower this year and the following year. The reason: The formation of buds takes place immediately after flowering, so you inevitably cut them off as well.
tips
Occasionally, the moor bed plant is attacked by leaf spot disease. Cut off discolored leaves as quickly as possible and dispose of them with household waste. You can combat pests such as the leaf hopper in an ecologically compatible manner using commercially available pesticides.