you must remember about proper fertilization. when there is no risk of gray frosts, and the plants are slowly getting ready for the new season. Avoid fertilization in late autumn so as not to stimulate the plant to grow before winter.
In February, he sleeps handfuls under the rhododendron, in spring it blooms like crazy. Homemade fertilizer for rhododendrons
Rhododendrons grow well in sour soil, so choose a fertilizer that will be suitable for acidophilic plants. The right mixtures are available in garden stores, but you can also prepare a homemade conditioner from kitchen waste. Coffee coffee grounds are perfect. They are rich in nitrogen, which supports plant growth. In addition, they help to acidify the soil, which, as we wrote above, is beneficial for rhododendrons. At the end of February, spread a thin layer of coffee coffee coffee around the rhododendrons (avoid direct contact of coffee grounds with shoots and leaves). Gently mix the coffee grounds into the upper layer of soil. Water the plants so that the fertilizer can dissolve and penetrate into the soil. Also remember not to overdo it with fertilization, especially if you reach for concentrated preparations. Excess fertilizer can harm plants, causing root burning.
How to protect the rhododendron for the winter? Wintering rhododendrons and azaleas
Rhododendron is a general name of plants from the heather family. In Polish gardens, we most often grow evergreen equivalents and azaleas that drop the leaves for the winter. In our climate you have to help them survive the winter. Deeply frozen soil means that the roots of rhododendrons cannot collect water, which makes them exposed to drought. In the case of rhododendron, the plant rolls the leaves into rolls to reduce water loss. This is a natural phenomenon and should not worry us. However, to limit the winter drought and save rhododendrons, you must not forget about mulching. In the case of stronger frosts, it is worth covering agrotextile flowers.
Watering rhododendrons in winter
We start watering the rhododendrons against cold. You also need to remember that a lot depends on the soil. The more humus the earth, the more water it stores. However, regardless of this, in the case of rainless autumn, it is good to water the plants before stronger frosts occur. Rhododendrons can also be irrigated in winter, during thaw, especially if there is little snow.
Wintering of rhododendrons
The basic principles of wintering rhododendrons work for frost -resistant varieties. As we wrote above, drought is the most harmful for rhododendrons, so under the litter it is worth spreading the biowłkunina, and the roots of the bush mound from the bark. In the case of varieties less resistant to low temperatures, agrotextile can be imposed on the bush. You can also use protection against drying frosty wind and cover the plants with a special screen or hood available in garden stores. We start mulching rhododendrons in autumn, in winter you can supplement deficiencies. When it comes to covering plants, it is best to do it at longer low temperatures. Most of the rhododendrons available on the market are temperature resistant to -25 or even -30 degrees Celsius.
How to winter a rhododendron in a pot?
Rhododendrons in pots both on terraces and balconies need better protection for the winter. Plants are best to pointing and apply the above wintering principles. However, we can not always afford it. Then put the pot on a board or polystyrene. We cover the whole with a straw or special straw mat or bio -fiber. Ideally, if we have the opportunity to hide the rhododendron for the winter in a cooler room with a window, e.g. a garage or an unheated staircase.
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