How to plant the rhododendron just bought home
Today's editor explains how to plant the rhododendron just bought home and shares tips on rhododendron maintenance. Keep reading!
Control the humidity of the environment for the newly purchased rhododendron, maintain it in a warm area with scattered light, or in a shaded environment. Keep the potting soil moist, avoid excessive watering to prevent waterlogging and root rot. Promote air circulation but protect from cold winds. There is no need to change the soil or fertilize immediately; try to let it safely pass through the acclimatization period before doing so. Appropriate thinning of flower buds can be done to concentrate nutrients and ensure smooth blooming. Also, check for pests and diseases and spray with pesticides once.
The rhododendron we buy from the flower market is usually cultivated in a high-temperature and high-humidity greenhouse. After bringing it home, the change in environment often causes leaf drop, which is due to environmental changes. Therefore, measures should be taken to help the rhododendron through this acclimatization period.
Protect from strong light and acclimatize in a warm semi-shaded area
The most direct change in the environment is the change in lighting. Rhododendrons prefer scattered light, so after bringing it home, keep it in a semi-shaded area for half a month to acclimatize, and do not place it in a windy area, otherwise, it will drop a lot of leaves. Acclimatizing in a place with morning and evening sun and semi-ventilation is ideal.
The maintenance environment should be warm and comfortable, with the temperature controlled around 20°C. After about half a month of acclimatization, it can enter the normal maintenance stage.
Ensure environmental humidity, keep the soil slightly moist, prevent waterlogging and drought
Keep the soil and environment moist after bringing it home. You can spray water on the leaves moderately, but not on the flowers. Increase the humidity of the environment to maintain about 80% relative humidity. Do not water too much, as the rhododendron has fine roots and is afraid of both drought and waterlogging. Therefore, water at the right time and in the right amount to help it adapt to the new environment.
How to plant the rhododendron just bought home
Delay fertilization to prevent fertilizer damage
Rhododendrons like fertilizer, but do not fertilize the newly bought rhododendron. Wait until it has passed the acclimatization period and entered the normal maintenance stage before fertilizing. During the spring and autumn growing periods, apply monopotassium phosphate once every half a month, and note to apply thin fertilizer frequently. If thick fertilizer is used, stop immediately, flush the soil with plenty of water, and move it to a ventilated area for maintenance.
Appropriate thinning
If the flower buds of the newly purchased rhododendron are too dense, appropriate thinning and pruning of the branches should be done. The new environment can lead to poor nutrient absorption, and excessive flowering and new leaf growth can consume nutrients and cause leaf drop. Remove some flower buds, leaving only one bud per branch, to concentrate nutrients and promote smooth blooming. After the flowers fade, promptly cut off the withered flowers and prune the plant shape, removing dense, crossed, overgrown, and diseased branches to maintain an attractive plant shape.
Check for pests and diseases
Carefully check the rhododendron bought home for pests and diseases. Immediately remove any branches with symptoms of withered leaves or rot to prevent transmission. Spray with a diluted solution of carbendazim or mancozeb once.