Description and characteristics of Schlippenbach rhododendron, planting and cultivation

Rhododendron is an ideal plant for a shady garden. Unlike many crops, it does not require an abundance of sunlight to bloom. Rhododendron Schlippenbach produces pink caps of inflorescences even before the leaves bloom. They give off a delicate aroma. Below is a detailed description of the shrub, history of occurrence, information about planting and caring for the crop in the garden plot.

Detailed description

Schlippenbach rhododendron bushes planted in the garden reach a height of 2 meters. In one place, a crop can grow for up to 40 years. For the fragrant pink buds that cover the plant during flowering, it received the name rose tree.

Leaves

At the tops of numerous gray branches there are rosettes of leaves. Their color changes from a light green palette in the spring to an orange-red palette in the fall. The leaf blades are narrow, grooved, and wavy along the edges.

Flowers

Rhododendron blooms in late April or early May. The petals of the buds are painted with a soft pink palette. In full bloom, the flowers reach a diameter of 8 centimeters. Long stamens emerge from the core, the ends of which are covered with pollen.

Fetus

Flowering ends with the formation of an oblong-shaped box, inside of which there are seeds. They can be used to propagate the plant in the garden.

History of origin

The shrub received its name in honor of Alexander Egorovich Schlippenbach. An officer of the Russian fleet as part of an expedition passed the coast of Korea. On the slopes he saw a plant blooming with large pink caps. The officer brought the shrub to Russia, where it has been successfully cultivated since 1854.

Medicinal properties

Rhododendron tea is not only tasty, but also medicinal. The leaves and flowers of rhododendron contain a large amount of useful substances. For example, vitamin C helps treat colds. Andromedotoxin has a positive effect on the functioning of the central nervous system. A warm drink made from fragrant flowers helps relieve joint, muscle, and headache pain.

Features of the view

There are many varieties of rhododendron in nature. Schlippenbach is distinguished by the unusual shape of its leaf blades and the delicate aroma emanating from its large pink flowers.

Choosing a landing site

Rhododendron prefers to grow in humid conditions. Therefore, it will feel best planted near a pond or pool. But groundwater should not come close to the ground surface.

Rhododendron is placed in slight shade. The bright rays of the sun have a negative effect on the bush: the leaves become brown. The area must be protected from cold winds.

Soil requirements

Rhododendron prefers to grow in acidic soil. Therefore, a substrate is prepared for it, consisting of the following components:

• peat;
• compost;
• turf land;
• sand.

Note! Only when in acidic soil will the plant develop safely and bloom profusely.

Pit preparation and planting scheme

Rhododendron is planted in a permanent place in spring or autumn. The seedlings are first placed in a bucket of water for 30-40 minutes. Potassium permanganate is added to disinfect the root system. Planting is done as follows:

1. Dig a hole 40 centimeters deep and 60 centimeters wide.
2. A small layer of drainage consisting of expanded clay and small stones is laid on the bottom. You can also add fir needles there.
3. The pit is filled with an acidic substrate.
4. A seedling is placed in the middle, and the root system is covered with soil on all sides.
5. Lightly compact the soil and water generously.

To preserve moisture, the root circle is covered with mulching material. You can use the bark and needles of coniferous trees, peat.

Care

Caring for an alpine rose consists of watering, fertilizing, and pruning.

Watering

Rhododendron requires plenty of watering.Use warm, settled water. In the absence of rainfall, the ground under the bush is irrigated 2-3 times a week. Periodically use water acidified with lemon.

Top dressing

In early spring, nitrogen is added to promote the growth of vegetative mass. The next feeding is in the spring, after flowering. Minerals are used, as well as peat or humus. To ensure safe wintering of plants, potassium is added in the fall.

Trimming

At a young age, Schlippenbach rhododendron undergoes formative pruning. To do this, shorten the central shoot. After this, the rose tree begins to bush. In the fall, sanitary pruning is performed. Remove old, dry, diseased branches.

Transfer

If necessary, the shrub is replanted in spring or autumn. At the same time, you need to try not to destroy the earthen lump. After transplantation, the root circle is watered abundantly and mulched.

Protection from diseases and pests

With improper care rhododendron can be affected by diseases and pests. To prevent their appearance, remove fallen leaves from the tree trunk and remove weeds. In spring, shrubs are sprayed with fungicides and insecticides.

Bloom

Because of its abundant flowering, Schlippenbach rhododendron is called the rose tree.

When and how

The inflorescences of the crop bloom in late spring. Flowering lasts about a month. The buds begin to bloom before the leaves form. During flowering, a delicate aroma emanates from the bush.

Care before and after

Before budding begins, the bush is fed. Throughout the season, the plant is watered abundantly. After flowering, remove the dried buds and slightly shorten the shoots.

What to do if it doesn't bloom

If your rhododendron isn't blooming, it's probably planted in the wrong place. In spring or autumn, it is dug up and replanted in acidic, loose soil. The best place is partial shade.

Reproduction

Rhododendron is propagated by seeds, cuttings, and layering.

Cuttings

For propagation, apical cuttings 15 centimeters long are cut. They can first be placed in water for rooting or planted directly in a container. Young bushes are planted on the site after a year.

By layering

The propagation procedure by layering is carried out after the rhododendron has flowered. To do this, perform the following steps:

• dig a groove 5-7 centimeters deep;
• bend the shoot to it, secure it with wire staples;
• watered and covered with soil.

During the season, the cuttings are looked after: watered, loosened, and weeds are removed. When the root system is well formed, the shoots are separated from the mother plant. Young bushes are transplanted to a permanent place.

Growing from seeds

Schlippenbach rhododendron seeds have good germination, so gardeners often use this method for propagation. The growing procedure is performed as follows:

• loose soil is poured into a container with low sides;
• spray with water from a spray bottle;
• seeds are placed on the surface of the substrate and pressed lightly;
• cover with transparent film;
• The container is placed in a warm place.

When shoots appear, the film is removed and the container is placed in a cooler place. After the formation of the 2nd pair of true leaves, picking is carried out. To do this, young plants are transplanted into individual pots. In spring, bushes are planted on the site.

Prevention of various problems

To prevent fungal diseases, rhododendron is sprayed with preparations containing copper before and after flowering. Foliage in which pest larvae can overwinter is removed from the tree trunk circle. In summer, the bush is periodically given sprinkling.

Important! Plants are sprayed against diseases and pests with special preparations before and after flowering.

Use in garden design

Schlippenbach rhododendron is decorative not only during flowering, but also after it. It is planted next to shade-loving plants: fern, hosta, astilbe, buzulnik, and bergenia. The moisture-loving rhododendron will feel good when planted near a pond.

Reviews

According to gardeners, Schlippenbach rhododendron grows short, up to 1.5 meters, and begins to bloom 6-9 years after planting. The buds are large, fragrant, pale pink in color.

Irina, Moscow: “I grew Schlippenbach rhododendron from seeds. I kept the plant in a pot for a long time. As soon as I planted it in open ground, it immediately began to gain vegetative mass. It bloomed with large pink caps in the 9th year after the sprout appeared.”

Ivan Petrovich, Petrozavodsk: “My Schlippenbach rhododendron grows in partial shade from an apple tree. So far, his height is just over a meter. When planting, he poured heather soil into the hole. Once a month I water it with water acidified with lemon. The bush blossomed 6 years after planting.”