Description of Rhododendron Science Fiction and Care Features

Flowering - a cap of bright dense inflorescences - a feature of the Fantastic eastern rhododendron. This variety, common among gardeners, adapts well to our climate. It serves as a wonderful decoration of any garden and is often used by gardeners in landscaping.

In this article we will talk about the features of this plant, about its subsorts, the rules of growing and caring for it. We also recommend watching a useful video on this topic.

Brief definition

Rhododendron Science Fiction - a hybrid variety of rhododendron of the Yakushiman Vereskov family. Natural varieties live in southern Japan, grows in nature on mountain peaks.

Detailed description

• Rhododendron Science Fiction - an evergreen undersized shrub, the height of an adult bush reaches 1 meter.
• Crohn grows to 1.5 m in width. The bush is slow-growing, sprawling, pillow-shaped.
• The leaves are long, grow 10–12 cm long, 5–6 cm wide. Oblong in shape, bright green, dense in structure.
• The buds are bright red; when opened, the flowers lighten.
• The flowers are variegated, bell-shaped in shape. In diameter up to 7 cm. Petals are wavy, the border of the flower is bright pink, the flower itself is white and pink. All flower petals are sprinkled with dots - patterns.
• Inflorescences are spherical, large - combine 10 to 12 flowers.
• The root system is superficial, flat.

History of occurrence

Rhododendron Science Fiction - a hybrid variety of Yakushima Rhododendron, the natural form of which is the Degron bush, discovered by scientists on the island of Yakushima in Japan. This species was identified by botanists only in the 20s of the last century; later, in the 30s, it was moved to England. Now, hybrids - followers are very common among domestic flower growers.

What is the difference from the rest of the species?

It is this variety that has a long flowering, blooming in early summer, it blooms brightly for 3-4 weeks. Rhododendron Science Fiction grows well among stones, so it is often used as an element of landscape design.

Subcort

Kalinka

The adult bush reaches about 2m. It is steady against frosts, maintains to 23 - 25 ° C. He is usually sheltered for the winter. Blossoms Kalinka gently - pink color, with a purple hue. Inflorescences are lush, spherical, combine up to 12 - 15 flowers.

Percy Weisman

Compact evergreen bush, grows to 1.5 m in diameter. It is small in height and reaches 1 m. The flowers are pale pink, with a peach tint - a blush at the edges. At the end of flowering, they burn out under the sun, become golden - white.

Bloom

Rhododendron science fiction blooms in late May - early June. It blooms generously, abundantly, quite long enough, up to 20 - 25 days.

Care before and after

For good growth and flowering, it is necessary to fertilize Rhododendron Fantastic before flowering and immediately after the inflorescences are wilted, in the ratio of 15 - 20 g of special fertilizer per 1 liter of water. Immediately after flowering, faded flowers are removed for laying new flower buds.

What if this does not happen?

1. To bloom was magnificent and long, it is necessary to cut off the faded buds.
2. With improper planting - root deepening is too large, flowering does not occur, transplantation is required.
3. Weeds, garden pests, old branches and dead wood also prevent flowering.

Use in landscape design

Rhododendron Science Fiction is used as a hedge in summer cottages and personal plots. This variety is well adjacent to pine trees, oaks, these trees protect exotic flowers from the gusty wind and create a scattered partial shade.

ATTENTION: Specialists-designers, taking into account the natural characteristics of growth, use the rhododendron Fantastic in creating rocky gardens - rockeries and on modern alpine hills.

Step-by-step care instructions

Choosing a place and soil

Rhododendron Science Fiction is best planted on the southwest side of the site. A prerequisite is protection from wind and direct rays. This variety prefers penumbra landing sites. You can not plant these hybrids next to fruit - berry bushes and trees due to the structural features of the surface root.

The soil for the Fantastica cultivar should be moist, light, loose, and acidic; therefore, the basis of the soil mixture should be acid peat.

The composition of the substrate for rhododendron Fantastic:

• Sour peat - 2 hours
• Sawdust - 1 hour
• Sand - 1 hour
• Drainage base.

Sawdust in the soil can be replaced with leaf or coniferous soil in the same proportions. Barrel soil circles cannot be loosened, weeds are removed by hand.

Planting

Rhododendron Fiction to plant on a flower bed or front garden is best in mid-April, but it is possible at the very beginning of May. Planting requires preparation and consistent action:

1. The necessary substrate is preliminarily prepared.
2. The depth of the landing pit is at least 40 cm, width 60 - 70 cm.
3. An expanded clay layer, 10-15 cm thick, is necessarily laid at the bottom.
4. Any material that does not contain calcium is used as drainage.
5. The seedling must be soaked well, immersed in water for 20-30 minutes.
6. The bush is placed vertically in the hole, deepening it to the level of the root neck.
7. You can feed the seedlings with mineral fertilizers, sulfur for better rooting.

IMPORTANT: Planting sapling requires good moisture. You can not add humus, manure or ash to the substrate.

Watch a video about the rules for planting rhododendron:

Temperature

Rhododendron Science Fiction is resistant to lowering temperatures to -26 ° C, but is subject to gusty winter winds. If the frost in the region is higher than the permissible norm of this variety, shelter is required.

Flowers growing in pots and crates for the winter are better to transfer to a cool cellar, a heated loggia or a covered balcony. The optimum temperature of the content of rhododendron Fantastic at rest is 0 - 5 ° С.

Watering

1. In spring and summer, Fantastic rhododendron is abundantly watered 2-3 times a week. For each adult bush, 8 to 10 liters of water is required.
2. Young flowers are watered every other day, watering doses are reduced by 2 times.
3. In intense heat, morning spraying of the bush is required to maintain a balance of air humidity.
4. In autumn and winter, watering should be rare, it must be ensured that the substrate does not dry out.

Top dressing

Fertilize rhododendron Science Fiction in spring or July. It is necessary to use organic dressings that do not contain chlorine and lime.

You can fertilize with complex mixtures:

• Magnesium - 2 hours
• Potassium - 4 hours
• Ammonium sulfate - 9 hours
• Potassium Superphosphate - 10 hours

Pruning

Trimming is done to form the correct crown shape.. The procedure is carried out at a three-year bush, very young flowers are not recommended to be cut. In an adult bush, old branches are cut. Sections should be treated for disinfection with oil paint or garden varnish.

For young bushes, in order for the bush to branch well, pinching of the tops of the shoots is required.

Transfer

Hybrid replanted only when the soil warms up, in April - May. You can transplant the bush in September, before frost. Transplanted rhododendron Science Fiction at any age. When transplanting, an earthen lump should be preserved because of the fragile root.

Mandatory mulching the substrate with a mixture of needles, peat, sawdust, medium-sized pieces of pine bark. Mulch is periodically updated - they are added every autumn before wintering. Layer of mulch - at least 5 - 6 cm.

How to prepare for winter?

Rhododendron Fiction in winter twists leaves into a straw. So that the bush is not damaged by frost and wind, it is better to tie it with a twine, in the middle of the bush make a heater from fir branches. All this is necessary, since the plant has a low winter hardiness. Shelter of an adult bush is not necessary.

TIP: Young bushes of Rhododendron Science Fiction shelter for the winter with dry spruce branches or burlap.

How to propagate?

Rhododendron Fiction propagated by grafting, dividing the bush, cuttings and layering. At home, flower growers choose the simplest method - reproduction using layering:

1. In early spring, a young lower branch is selected.
2. A small incision is made on the layering.
3. Leaves are removed from the stem.
4. The branch is fixed with wire, dripped, sprinkled with a mixture of peat and sand, in a ratio of 2: 1.
5. The layer is watered abundantly.
6. Bush separation can be done in mid-summer, after rooting.

Diseases and Pests

Rhododendron Fantastic susceptible to fungal diseases:

• leaf spot;
• powdery infections;
• gray rot;
• necrosis;
• rust.

To treat diseases, you need to treat the bushes and the soil with a solution of 2% baseazole or Bordeaux liquid.

The most common pests of the Fantastic variety:

1. Spider mite affects the leaves, they begin to fall. It is necessary to spray the bush with an emulsion of Celtan, repeat the procedure after 7 to 9 days.
2. Rhododendron bugs and flies the leaves are affected, yellow dots appear on them, the affected leaves become pale, subsequently fall off. Diazonin treatment needed.
3. From thrips and aphids treatment with any insecticides will help.

Prevention of various problems

• Burns appear on the leaves from the direct sun - brown spots. Shading is required in summer and shelter in winter.
• If the leaves do not unwind after winter, watering is needed.
• Excess moisture can also harm the rhododendron. Fantastic - the marshy soil provokes the appearance of rot. It is necessary to adjust watering.
• Lack of nitrogen fertilizer inhibits bush development.
• Violation of the acidity of the substrate leads to chlorosis of the leaves. It is required to reduce the dose of calcium and copper fertilizers, it is required to acidify the substrate.

Conclusion

Rhododendron Science Fiction - a whimsical exotic flower. Only competent care, care and attention will provide the desired dense flowering.

Watch the video: Jhumpa Lahiri - Writers at MIT 2000 (October 2024).