Rhododendron: preparation for the winter. Basic rules and advice

Rhododendron is translated from Greek as a "rosewood". These bushes and trees are an evergreen plant, they have a variety of shapes and colors, and also differ in the size of the flowers. Tropics and subtropics are places where, in the main, rhododendron grows. Preparation for winter in cooler regions is of great importance for the conservation of this plant.

Types and varieties of rhododendrons

Rhododendron is an amazing beauty of the bush, this plant belongs to the Heather family. The most winter-hardy are evergreen varieties, they include the Caucasian, Pontic, Katevbin rhododendron. They perfectly grow in the middle lane and tolerate frosts well. Also frost-resistant species include deciduous rhododendrons. Among them, one can distinguish such names as Japanese, Kamchatka, dense, yellow and others. In addition, this amazing shrubbery and the color of flowers are diverse. There are varieties with red, purple, bright blue, pink, orange, yellow and tender white flowers. For the successful development and growth of plants should adhere to the basic rules in caring for him. And the most important thing that the rhododendron requires is preparation for the winter. After all, this period is very difficult for the plant, and further development and flowering of the bush will depend on it .

How to prepare a rhododendron for winter

The first step in preparing for the winter of this plant is abundant watering in the autumn season, especially if the land is very dry. Soil under rhododendrons should be saturated with moisture in sufficient quantities. But at the same time it should be remembered that the water for irrigation is taken soft, since the hard will negatively affect the plant and can even lead to its death. How else to protect from the cold rhododendron? Preparation for winter includes mulching the soil around the bushes. For mulch use peat, pine needles, sawdust or heath earth. The roots of the plant are located closer to the surface, and such a shelter will help him to better tolerate the cold. The higher the plant, the higher the height of the mulch, with the arrival of spring it is removed or partially left. As for deciduous species of rhododendrons, there are some features in preparation for winter. These species should bend branches to the ground and cover them. A low, evergreen rhododendron for winter can also be insulated with oak dry leaves or lapnika. For large plants, sacking or large lapnik is used to close off the bright winter and spring sun. Any shelter should have good air permeability. After the establishment of the spring temperature, it is removed. And most importantly, you should prepare for the winter season, young rhododendrons. For the first wintering, the plants are covered with a nonwoven material (this may be agril, spunbond) or covered with lapnik. It is best to make the insulation in the form of a hut, wrapping the covering material around the stakes. In no case can the rhododendrons be fertilized with sawdust and peat, this can lead to a pre-incineration and further to the death of the plant. Magnificent beauty is the rhododendron, preparing for the winter will help him survive the cold, and the plant will please you with its flowering again.