How to Fertilize, Water, and Repot Rhododendron
Among numerous potted plants for homes, rhododendron is deeply loved for its brilliant flower colors, but it often faces issues such as yellow leaves and falling buds during maintenance. In fact, mastering the management points of the three key elements of water, fertilizer, and soil can keep the rhododendron vibrant and full of life.
Essential Points for Water and Fertilizer Management
Scientific Fertilizing Schedule
Spring and autumn are the golden seasons for fertilizing, using diluted soybean cake water mixed with potassium dihydrogen phosphate (200 times diluted) from March to April to promote bud differentiation. In September, after flowering, apply urea to replenish nutrients, and switch to high-phosphorus fertilizers like bone meal during the bud formation period in October. Note that fertilizing should completely stop during the winter dormancy period.
Accurate Watering Plan
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during the growing period, watering thoroughly every 2 days in spring and autumn. During the flowering period, water slowly along the edge of the pot, and spray in the early morning and evening in summer to increase humidity. It is especially important to use rainwater or tap water that has been standing for 2 days, adding 3 drops of white vinegar every half month to adjust the pH.
Soil System Maintenance
Details of Repotting
Choose a stable temperature period around Qingming Festival, stop watering 3 days in advance for easy pot removal. Retain 1/3 of the original soil, and mix new soil with pine needle soil, decomposed leaf soil, and coarse sand (5:3:2). Place a 3cm layer of ceramsite at the bottom of the pot, add 50g of decomposed sheep manure as a base fertilizer, and place the repotted plant in a shaded area for 20 days to recover.
Special Season Maintenance
Use the immersion pot method to replenish water during the high-temperature period of summer, and switch to warm water灌溉 when the temperature is below 10℃ in winter. During the plum rain season, you can place volcanic rocks on the soil surface to prevent water accumulation, and supplement chelated iron before and after flowering to prevent chlorosis.
By establishing a systematic maintenance plan and adjusting the management details based on regular observation of the plant's condition, the rhododendron can bloom every year. It is particularly important to maintain the environmental humidity above 60% and rotate the pot regularly to ensure even lighting, these auxiliary measures can significantly improve the maintenance effect.