Flowering perennials look beautiful when they are in full bloom. To keep your plants in good shape, you need to take the right care measures. When it comes to the rhododendron, a favorite of many gardeners and homeowners, there is one important step you cannot miss if you want to enjoy a lush plant. Your rhododendron is blooming, what should you do? You must prune your rhododendron after flowering. Removing the unsightly dead flowers will promote both the plant's healthy growth and neat outlook. To ensure you proceed correctly, follow our tips.
Why cut off spent flowers from rhododendrons?
Rhododendrons are fairly easy to care for. TheRemoving the spent flowersafter flowering is easy and helps maintain the good shape of the plant, prevent fungal diseases and limit seed production. The new shoots are cone-shaped and form at the base of thefaded flowers. You should keep these as they will produce next year's flowers.
As a rule, it is better not to use secateurs as this can damage the delicate shoots. You can snip off most rhododendron flowers by breaking them off just above where the leaves form on the stem. Simply take the entire flower head in your hand and break it off between your thumb and forefinger.
After flowering, shorten the branches down to a tuft of leaves so that your shrub does not become too large. This will make the plant grow bushier and look better. If you want to do a small topiary, the timing for flowering next spring is crucial. The buds from which the spring flowers develop form on the trunks in the summer of the previous year, long before you can see them. If you cut back your rhododendron's old wood in late summer to winter after these buds have formed, you will be removing next spring's flower buds.
Rhododendron fades - when to remove faded flowers
You should always prune rhododendrons after flowering, before new flower buds form, so that the plant blooms optimally in spring. You can remove dead or damaged branches at any time of year, but leave major pruning jobs forthe late winterwhen the plant is in the dormant phase. Remember that late pruning means losing flowers.
If you want to reduce the size and shape of your rhododendron to shape the plant, use clean pruning shears. If you have an old rhododendron, it's a strong onePruning possible. In spring, cut the branches back to one of the tiny, dormant buds.
Important care tips for the flowering shrub
In order for the plant to thrive, it needs some regular care. Here we show what you need to consider to promote the healthy growth of your shrub.
How to water rhododendrons
As for watering, water when the soil feels dry but the soil underneath remains moist. This means watering more during hot, dry periods and less during cooler, humid periods. When the soil dries out, the plant suffers, so don't let the soil dry out completely.
How much water does your rhododendron need? Water deeply and thoroughly, giving your plant about an inch of water per week. Water only around the roots and use drip irrigation when possible to avoid water runoff and prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilize rhododendrons – when and how
Established rhododendrons need fertilization twice a year, once in early spring and again 12 to 16 weeks later. Gently scrape the fertilizer into the soil without disturbing the superficial roots.Fertilizenot too much, because rhododendron roots are sensitive to too much fertilizer. Distribute the appropriate amount over the area around the plant, about 2 inches beyond the branch tips. A good quality compost for rhododendrons contains oak leaves, evergreen needles, alfalfa and washed seaweed. An organic nitrogen such as rapeseed, fish or blood meal can be added between the different layers.
Rhododendron diseases - which ones are common and how to protect the plant
Rhododendrons are susceptible to insects and diseases such as weevils, mealybugs and mildew. When a plant is attacked, visible signs include white downy leaves, wilted and brown leaves, or holes in the branches. Spraying the soil of rhododendrons with a strip of neem oil helps control slugs and weevils.
You can prevent mildew with milk. Milk coats the leaves so that the spores cannot nest in the leaf surface.
A simple recipeconsists of 3 cups of water and 1⁄3 cup of milk, whole milk or skim milk. How to apply it? Shake this mixture well and spray it on the plants until the leaves drain. Then dispose of the leftovers. This spray can help control powdery mildew if you treat the plants before you see symptoms.
Also read:Rhododendron gets yellow leaves in autumn: 3 possible causes
