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Rhododendron yellow is a spectacular flower that will become a real decoration of the garden. Planting and caring for a plant has a number of nuances. Subject to agricultural technology, the culture develops well, does not get sick and produces lush inflorescences.
Description of yellow rhododendron
Rhododendron yellow, or Pontic azalea is a deciduous shrub of the Heather family. In nature, it is found on the territory of Ukraine, Belarus, southern regions of Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Asia Minor. The culture prefers forest edges, undergrowth, clearings, wetlands. Most often it grows at an altitude of no more than 2000 m above sea level.
Shrub up to 4 m high branches well and grows rapidly. In girth, the plant is up to 6 m. Its leaves, located on petioles up to 5 mm, are oblong, elliptical, up to 12 cm long and up to 8 cm wide. The leaf plate is pointed at the tip and narrowed near the base. At the edges, it is ciliate, with small notches. In summer, the leaves are green, in autumn they turn yellow, red or orange.
The flowers of the plant are located on a 2 cm long pedicel and are collected in umbellate shields of 7 - 12 pieces. The corolla is yellow, sometimes with an orange undertone, and contains a narrow cylindrical tube. Flowers appear before or during the opening of the leaves. Closer to August, the fruits ripen. They look like a cylindrical box up to 3 cm long, filled with seeds.
The first flowers appear in plants over 5 years old. In the middle lane, the buds bloom in late May or early June. The flowering period is extended over time, since it takes place in several stages. The flowers have a strong aroma. The leaves of the plant bloom in mid-June. Already in July, they change color, and fall off in October. The minimum growth of the shrub per year is 8 cm, the maximum is 25 cm.
What is yellow rhododendron good for?
Rhododendron yellow has not found use in traditional medicine. All parts of the plant are poisonous. They contain andromedotoxin, a toxic organic compound that is dangerous to humans and animals.
When it enters the body, the substance disrupts the functioning of cell receptors. First, the work of the central nervous system is stimulated, after which sweating increases, vomiting, weakness, and dizziness occur. After the toxin enters the body, negative symptoms appear within a period of several minutes to 3 hours.
Most often, rhododendron yellow causes poisoning in pets that eat plants. This nuance is taken into account when planting a shrub. Flower honey is also poisonous to bees and mammals.
Varieties of yellow rhododendron
On the basis of yellow rhododendron, many hybrids and garden forms have been bred. They are distinguished by decorative properties that are superior to the original look. In culture, the plant has been known since the end of the 18th century.
Popular varieties of yellow rhododendron:
- Santa nectarine... A hybrid up to 18 m high and up to 1.2 m wide. Its shoots are vertical, densely arranged. Inflorescences appear at the ends of the shoots. Each of them contains 6 - 12 buds.The flowers of the variety are golden yellow, on the outside the petals are red. Winter hardiness of the variety - up to -25 ° C;
- Rhododendron yellow Silfides... Shrub 1 to 3 m high. The crown of the plant is round, the leaves are shiny, green. The inflorescences consist of 8 - 14 flowers, the petals of which are white-pink in color with a yellow spot, up to 9 cm in size; Important! The Silfides variety is one of the most frost-resistant varieties, it can withstand cold temperatures down to -32 ° C.
- Glouing Ambers... The plant is up to 1.5 m high. Its flowers are orange in color, collected in spherical inflorescences. The first buds appear at the end of May. Their aroma is delicate, pleasant. The foliage of the culture is bright green; in the fall it becomes red. The shrub does not freeze when the temperature in winter drops to -30 ° C;
- Oxidol... Shrub up to 1.2 m high. The variety has star-shaped flowers, consisting of 5 petals of a snow-white color. They are collected in inflorescences of 6 - 10 pcs. There is a light yellow spot on the upper petal. The size of the flowers is up to 9 cm. The aroma is light, pleasant. In autumn, the foliage turns dark red. Withstands cold down to -24 ° C;
- Rhododendron yellow homebush... Dense shrub 1.5-2 m high with straight shoots. It has double carmine-pink flowers, collected in globular inflorescences. Young leaves of the plant are bronze, in summer they acquire a dark green color. In the fall, the foliage turns crimson and orange. The frost resistance of the bush is up to - 25 ° С.
Growing conditions for yellow rhododendron
Yellow rhododendron is suitable for growing in the middle lane, in the North-West, the Urals, Western Siberia, and the Far East. The shrub tolerates winters well under cover. For planting, frost-resistant varieties are chosen that can withstand even a difficult climate.
Ideal conditions for growing yellow rhododendron:
- sunny place or partial shade;
- regular supply of moisture to the soil;
- high soil fertility;
- air humidity;
- shelter for the winter.
Deciduous yellow rhododendron is used in single and group plantings. The plant becomes the centerpiece of the composition. It looks especially impressive next to other deciduous rhododendrons, against the background of lawns and evergreen trees.
The culture is sensitive to lack of moisture. Therefore, during the growing season, irrigation must be organized, while avoiding stagnation of water. The fertility of the soil affects the duration of flowering. Before planting, the composition of the soil is improved by introducing humus and peat.
Planting and caring for a yellow rhododendron
Successful cultivation of rhododendron depends on choosing a good location. After planting, the shrub is provided with care: watering, feeding, pruning. In most regions, the plant needs shelter for the winter.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
A sunny place is chosen under the yellow rhododendron flower. Landing in lowlands, where moisture and cold air accumulates, is not allowed. The site must be protected from the wind. Before planting, take into account that as the growth of the yellow rhododendron takes up all the free space. Ideal - places near water bodies, rivers, pools, fountains.
The selected area is dug up and cleaned of weeds. Then a landing pit is prepared. If the soil is clayey and dense, you will need coarse river sand. To make the sandy soil better retain moisture, clay and peat are added.
Seedling preparation
Rhododendron seedlings are best purchased in nurseries. It is important to evaluate their appearance before purchasing. The plant should be free of damage, mold and other defects. Bushes tolerate transplanting well. Their root system is located in the upper soil layer.
Shrubs grown in containers take root best. Before planting, the plant is watered and removed from the container. Its roots are freed from an earthen coma.
Landing rules
The best time to plant yellow rhododendron is spring. Planting holes are dug in advance, at least 3 to 4 weeks before the work: during this time, the soil will shrink.
The order of planting azaleas, or yellow rhododendron:
- A hole is dug on the site with a depth of 60 cm and a width of 70 cm.
- Gravel or crushed stone is poured onto the bottom with a layer of 10 - 15 cm.
- To fill the pit, a substrate is prepared: sod land, peat and coniferous litter in a ratio of 3: 2: 1. Shrinkage of the soil is awaiting.
- A mound is formed from the fertile land, where the plant is planted. The root collar is not buried.
- The roots of the seedling are covered with soil.
- Rhododendron is well watered.
- Pour a layer of peat and pine needles mulch.
Watering and feeding
Rhododendron yellow requires abundant watering, especially in drought. Every 2 to 3 weeks, 19 liters of water are poured under an adult bush. If the air is dry, it is useful to spray the plants. With a lack of moisture in the shrub, the leaves become dull and lifeless.
Rhododendrons are fed 3-4 times per season. In the spring, a diluted infusion of chicken droppings is introduced into the soil. Top dressing is repeated before flowering by adding superphosphate and potassium salt to the soil. For 10 liters of fertilizer, add 20 g of each substance. Phosphorus and potassium dressing is also repeated after flowering.
Pruning
According to the photo and description, the yellow rhododendron forms dense, impenetrable thickets. Annual pruning gives the shrub a more compact appearance. Performing it, be sure to remove dry, broken and frozen shoots.
Preparing for winter
Competent preparation for winter will help the rhododendron survive the winter. In late autumn, until frost begins, the soil is watered abundantly. Wet soil freezes worse and provides protection from cold weather. A layer of dry leaves or peat is poured into the trunk circle. A frame is installed over young plants and a non-woven fabric is attached to it.
Reproduction
Hybrid yellow rhododendron is propagated vegetatively. This is how the varietal characteristics of the shrub are preserved. In the summer, cuttings are cut, which are rooted in a substrate of peat and sand. The process takes up to 1.5 months. To improve rooting, the cuttings are kept in a growth stimulant solution. They are planted in a permanent place after 1 - 2 years.
Yellow rhododendron is also propagated by root growth. It is separated from the mother bush and planted in a new place. In addition, cultivation of crops from seeds is practiced. They are distributed over the soil surface without stratification. Seedlings are kept in greenhouse conditions.
Diseases and pests
Diseases and pests appear in rhododendron when agricultural technology is violated. The first signs of disease are dark spots on the leaves, drying of the shoots. The affected parts of the shrub are cut off and burned. To combat them, copper sulfate or Bordeaux liquid is used.
Rhododendron yellow attracts weevils, ticks, pseudo-scale insects, thrips and other pests. Insecticides Spark, Karbofos, Actellik help to get rid of them. The plantings are sprayed with a solution of the selected preparation. If necessary, after 7 to 10 days, the treatment is repeated.
Conclusion
Rhododendron yellow is a spectacular ornamental shrub. Before choosing this plant, the weather conditions in the region are assessed and a suitable place is selected. When growing rhododendron, agricultural techniques are observed: watering and feeding, forming a bush, organizing a shelter for it for the winter.
