Description of the Helliki rhododendron variety, care and cultivation of a flower
Rhododendron is a very beautiful plant, so it can often be seen in summer cottages. Rhododendron of the Heliki variety has earned a good reputation among summer residents. Its bright flowers will decorate any summer cottage.
Brief definition
The plant belongs to the heather family. The species is evergreen and hardy. It can grow both singly and in a group of bushes.
Detailed description
Rhododendron Hellikki is a dense shrub with strong branching. Its leaves are smooth on top, and slightly pubescent below, dark green in color, elongated.
Flowers of bright purple-red color, funnel-shaped, collected in inflorescences of 7-8 pieces. The regiments and shoots are strongly lowered down - this is a characteristic feature of this type of rhododendron. This evergreen is compact in shape. The height of the bush is on average up to 1 meter, the width of the crown is 1.2 m.
History of origin
This species was bred in Finland at the end of the 20th century on the basis of Smirnov's rhododendron. The variety got its name in honor of the name of the mother of its creator.
This is one of the most successful experiments in breeding rhododendrons, since the Helliki variety differs from other winter-hardy species in excellent frost resistance and special brightness of flowers.
Distinctive features
The Hellicki rhododendron has a number of differences. Grows slowly, prefers slightly shaded areas. Feels unwell in direct sunlight and may burn.
When planting, choose a place so that the plant is protected from drafts. The root of the plant is flat and close to the surface, so it can be easily damaged. The variety can withstand frosts down to -36 degrees.
Growing
The Hellicki rhododendron requires certain conditions for successful growth and flowering.
Site and soil selection
Seedlings should be planted in soil with a high acidity level (Ph 4.5 to 6.5). Choose a place for planting in such a way that the plants are protected from direct sunlight and drafts.
Rhododendron of this species does not tolerate high humidity. In order for the plant to please with an abundance of flowers for the next year, you need to remove in time those inflorescences that have already faded.
Selection of seedlings and planting dates
The young plant to be planted must be strong and healthy, with no visible damage.Rhododendron is planted in open ground in autumn or spring.
Planting
When planting, it is important to place a drainage consisting of pebbles and sand on the bottom of the finished hole. The earth is poured to the level of the root collar. Planting the plant should not be too deep. After planting, they moisten the soil well. Mulching is done with coniferous needles, peat, the layer of mulch should be 5 cm.
Temperature
When forming buds, the most suitable temperature is +12 - 13 degrees. In the future, the plant will be able to withstand a sharp drop in temperature.
Watering
Although the plant does not like excessive moisture, the soil should not be allowed to dry out. In the summer, watering should be moderate. Water the rhododendron with plain or acidified water. To obtain it, a little sphagnum peat is placed in a bucket of water for a day.
Top dressing and loosening
You need to fertilize not only seedlings, but also adult plants. They are fed with a small amount of such substances:
- Calcium.
- Ammonium.
- Potassium sulfate.
When feeding young plants, the amount of fertilizer used should be less than for adults. In mid-July, the feeding of all bushes is reduced by 2 times. Compost or humus is used only for adult bushes, mixing them in equal proportion with peat.
Loosening the soil under these plants is highly undesirable, since the root is superficial and easily damaged. It is also better to remove weeds manually. Mulching will be a good preventive measure to protect the roots of seedlings from problems.
Pruning
This procedure is carried out at the very beginning of spring. Pruning is done not only to cleanse the bush from wilted shoots, but also for decorative purposes - this is how the crown is formed. To do this, the upper part is cut off from the tallest shoots. To avoid infection, the pruning site must be immediately treated with garden varnish.
Transfer
The plant tolerates the transplant procedure normally. Adaptation to a new place is fast.You can not transplant the plant during its flowering period, as well as 2 weeks later..
Wintering
This type of rhododendron does not require shelter for the winter period. Before the onset of cold weather, the plant is well watered and the soil is covered with mulch.
Bloom
During the flowering period, the site looks especially bright. To make it abundant, you need to know a few rules.
When and how it happens
Bright and incredibly beautiful flowers will appear in the first decade of June. Helliki's rhododendron blooms for a short time - only 3 weeks.
Conditions of detention
This species takes root well and lives for a long time even in areas with a temperate and cool climate. For 10 years, the bush grows up to 1 meter in height.
If not blooming
Sometimes the flowering of the bush is delayed. This is due to insufficient soil acidity. In this case, it must be increased, as well as nourish the plant with additional minerals. For full and timely flowering, diseased plants, as well as sluggish branches and shoots, must be removed from the plant.
Diseases and pests
Unfortunately, rhododendrons are susceptible to insect pests, as well as diseases:
- Septoria spotting.
- Late blight rot.
- Root rot.
- Tracheomycosis.
- Getting wet.
Often the occurrence of these pathologies is associated with excessive soil moisture and its low acidity.
Spider mite
The mite is very small, therefore almost invisible. You can judge the defeat by the presence of cobwebs on the back of the rhododendron leaves.
To get rid of these parasites, the plant is treated with such fungicides as:
- shooting gallery;
- karbofos;
- agravertine.
Snails and slugs
These molluscs are dangerous enemies of the Hellicki rhododendron. It is they who most often infect the bushes and can destroy the plant in the shortest possible time. They need to be manually removed from the bushes.Treatment with molluscicide also helps.
Weevil
The insect feeds on all parts of the plant. A diazonin solution will help to cope with such a problem.
For the drugs to be more effective, their solutions should not only treat the plant itself, but also the soil in the near-stem circle.
How to propagate
Most often, rhododendron is propagated using cuttings. They do it as follows:
- cut off a strong shoot 8-10 cm long;
- plant it in a prepared substrate consisting of a mixture of peat and sand in equal proportions;
- cover with glass or film. The greenhouse must be periodically ventilated, providing the young plant with air access. The seedling will take root within 3 months.
- the next spring, mature plants are planted in open ground
Seedlings should overwinter in a cool dry room.
Prevention of various problems
In early spring, the bushes are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid. If the plant is affected by rot, then you need to immediately cut off the diseased branches, In the event that the bush is completely affected, it must be urgently removed from the site.
A chemical such as iron chelate can help prevent the yellowing problem of rhododendron leaves.
Use in ornamental gardening
Thanks to the green foliage, the Helicki rhododendrons adorn the garden all year round. They are especially good in mixed flower beds. Often on the site, gardeners plant them next to conifers. They protect the plant while letting in enough light.
Reviews
The popularity of this species is ensured by the fact that it is unpretentious to conditions, easy to care for, and also beautiful.
Vasily Stepanovich, 62 years old
Rhododendrons have been growing on my site for a long time, including the Heliky variety. They tolerate our frosts well and always delight the eye with green foliage, and in summer also with beautiful flowering. I recommend this variety for flower lovers in the country.
Lyudmila, 37 years old
I love flowers. I grew rhododendrons on my site. I always loved them for their beautiful flowers. Last year, she planted a new variety, Helliki. The bushes have taken root perfectly, they do not cause much trouble and really decorate my dacha. I am satisfied.
