What are the growing environment conditions and care methods for rhododendrons?
What are the cultivation methods for rhododendrons, do you all know? I believe many flower lovers are very interested in how to cultivate rhododendrons and how to grow them. In fact, rhododendrons are suitable for both soil cultivation and pot cultivation. Today we will bring you a benefit and introduce the cultivation methods of rhododendrons in detail. Now let us take a look at how to grow rhododendrons.
I. Rhododendron growing environment conditions
For growing rhododendrons, it is best to have both indoor and outdoor environments. The indoor environment is used in winter. In the Yangtze River basin, as long as there is a certain amount of light and ventilation indoors, generally no additional heating is needed. In the north, winters are extremely cold and dry, so cultivation in a medium-temperature (around 15°C) greenhouse is preferable. Outdoor sites are used in summer and autumn, and mud ground is best; cement ground should be avoided. The site should be spacious, ventilated and shaded, with a shade shed built above, covered with reed curtains or using natural tree shade as protection. A light transmission rate of about 30% is suitable, and exposure to the evening sun must be avoided.
II. How to care for rhododendrons
1. Environmental conditions: For cultivating rhododendrons, it is best to have both indoor and outdoor environments. The indoor environment is used in winter. Outdoor sites are used in summer and autumn, and mud ground is best; cement ground should be avoided. The site should be spacious, ventilated and shaded, with a shade shed built above, covered with reed curtains or using natural tree shade as protection. A light transmission rate of about 30% is suitable, and exposure to the evening sun must be avoided.
2. Pot soil requirements: Rhododendrons like loose, highly permeable, well-drained acidic soil rich in humus, with a pH value of 5.0-6.0. If clay or alkaline soil is used, hardly one in a hundred will survive. In particular, summer rhododendrons and foreign rhododendrons must have mountain soil. Mountain soil also needs to be improved. At present, three kinds of prepared culture soil are usually used.
3. Flower pot selection: For cultivating rhododendrons, generally two kinds of pots are chosen: clay pots and purple sand pots. Clay pots have good air and water permeability, and production units all use this kind of pot for cultivation. For formed rhododendrons, especially those already shaped, in order to be displayed indoors and outdoors, they are generally planted in beautiful and elegant purple sand pots. Purple sand pots are fine in texture, rich in color and beautiful in shape, and can double their ornamental value.
4. Improving water quality: For watering rhododendrons, rainwater is best, followed by river water and pond water. If tap water is used, it is advisable to store the water for 1-2 days to let the chlorine volatilize before use. When using it, add 0.2% ferrous sulfate, and water once every 7-10 days during the growing season. Use it regularly to ensure the soil is acidic.
5. Fertilizer and water management: Rhododendrons like shade and moisture, and should not be too dry. During the flowering period, even more water is needed. In winter, rhododendrons have entered the dormant period and do not need much water. Generally, water once every 4-5 days, preferably around noon on clear and warm days.
6. Outdoor shading: From before being moved out of the room to before flowering, they should be exposed to more sunlight; during the flowering period, short-term shading is needed at noon, with a light transmission rate of 60%.
7. Shaping and pruning: To accelerate full blooming, rhododendrons are often pinched to encourage new branches. For flowers that are clustered and affect the flower shape, buds can be thinned early. This not only makes the flowers larger and brighter in color that year, but also helps the plant grow and bloom the following year. Rhododendrons have strong sprouting ability, and branches that seriously affect plant growth and development reduce their ornamental and commercial value, so pruning is needed to adjust them. Pruning is generally carried out after flowering in spring and in autumn, cutting off dead branches, slanted branches, leggy branches, diseased and pest-damaged branches, and some crossing branches, to avoid nutrient consumption and make the whole plant bloom fully.
8. Disease and pest control: During the damage period of the lace bug (also known as the camellia lace bug), spray 40% dimethoate 1500x solution once every 7 days for 3 consecutive times. The main control method for the bud leaf roller is manual capture and killing. Larvae or pupae can also be sprayed and killed with 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate 2000x solution or dichlorvos 1500x solution.
9. Flowering period control: Rhododendrons undergo flower bud differentiation in autumn. Through cold storage and heating treatment, the flowering period can be controlled artificially. To make rhododendrons bloom early, move them to a greenhouse for cultivation, control the temperature at 20-25°C, and frequently spray water on the branches and leaves to maintain a relative humidity above 80%. In this way, they can bloom after one and a half months. To make rhododendrons bloom later, keep the rhododendrons that have formed flower buds in a low-temperature state, maintaining the temperature at 2-4°C, water when the pot is dry, move them outdoors in summer and autumn, and they can bloom after 2 weeks.
The above is the relevant introduction in this article. I believe after reading it you also have a simple understanding of this. If needed, you can continue to follow No. 1 Home Network to learn more information.