Rhododendron Rasputin: a description of the varieties, as well as features of planting, reproduction and care of the plant

It is called the Large-flowered Rhododendron for large bright purple flowers.

He is a favorite among lushly flowering shrubs, creating spectacular compositions of cold colors - from a delicate purple to dark purple.

Rhododendron Rasputin is considered a medium-sized, evergreen shrub. The plant is distinguished by large shiny leaves and erect, strong stems.

Brief definition

Rhododendron Rasputin - a hybrid variety of evergreen shrubs genus of rhododendrons of the heather family. Homeland - China, Himalayas, Caucasus, North America.

Detailed description

Evergreen medium-sized shrub, the height of an adult bush is average - 1.2-1.5 m. The crown is wide, in diameter reaches 1.5 m.

The flowers are pale purple with a dark purple or raspberry pattern - interspersed on the upper petal. Flowers are collected in dense, large inflorescences. It blooms in late spring - early summer. The aroma of flowers is either absent or poorly expressed, depending on the variety.

The leaves are rather large, oblong, up to 12-15 cm, shiny, dense, the outer side is dark green in color, the leaves are light green below. In winter, the leaves do not die off, they acquire a brown tint.

The root is compact, superficial. The stems are strong, erect. Fruits - boxes with small seeds, usually light brown in color, ripen in autumn.

History of occurrence

Natural varieties grow in the East - Africa, Japan, and in Europe - the mountainous regions of Germany. Breeders in the 20th century. new varieties of evergreen rhododendron have been developed; they are called hybrid.

The Rasputin cultivated rhododendron variety is adapted for good growth on alkaline soils - this is its uniqueness and unpretentiousness.

What is the difference from the rest of the species?

Rhododendron Rasputin blooms annually, very abundantly and generously. This species has one of the darkest colors of flowers. Unlike their relatives - hybrids, the flowers last a long time, do not fall. To achieve large and abundant flowering, pruning of the bush is required at a young age. The bush grows freely, sprawling.

Subcort

Gristede

It is called dense because of the crown - thick and compact. The leaves are elongated, small, shiny and dense in structure dark green. The bush is evergreen. Blooms in early summer. The flowers are small, up to 2-3 cm, numerous. Coloring pale purple with a bluish tint.

Frost resistance is average - mulching and winter shelter is required.

Boleslav the brave

Royal, expensive variety, named after the son of the Polish king Meshko. It grows to 1.5 m in height and grows to a meter in width. Frost-resistant variety, can withstand in winter up to - 30-35 ºС. Shelter is not necessary. Read about frost-resistant rhododendrons here.

The flowering is plentiful, the crown is dense. The flowers are purple with a pattern of dark yellow. It blooms in late May and again in late summer. Flowers are collected in inflorescences of 10 - 12 in each. The leaves are slightly convex, oblong, dense.

Azurica

A short bush, its height is only 50cm. The first flowering occurs in May, the second in August. A very dense crown grows to 1 m wide. Small bluish leaves grow to 1.5 - 2 cm in length. The flowers are dark, purple with a blue tint.

The variety is frost-resistant, soil mulching is required.

Bloom

When and how?

The flowering of rhododendron Rasputin begins in late May - June. The flowering is plentiful, lush, inflorescences form large purple bouquets.

Care Features

After flowering, wilted flowers and inflorescences should be cut immediately.
During the laying of buds and the formation of buds, the temperature should not be higher than 12 - 15 ° C.
Desirable good lighting and plentiful watering during the flowering period.

What to do if it does not bloom?

It is necessary to check whether the flower is sick, damage by garden pests is possible, they impede the flowering of Rasputin rhododendron.
Perhaps the flowers lack moisture. It is necessary to adjust watering.
Attention: in summer, daily spraying of leaves is mandatory.
If the soil lacks minerals, it is possible to feed with fertilizers specifically for this type of rhododendron. You can also use superphosphate fertilizers to prolong flowering and the formation of new inflorescences.

Use in design

Rhododendron Rasputin recommended for single or combination landings with other varieties of rhododendrons in gardens, parks, to decorate the central avenues. It can be grown as part of landscape compositions.

Step-by-step care instructions

Choosing a place for the plant

Settle Rasputin Rhododendron is possible only in a quiet place inaccessible to drafts.

The flower loves semi-shady places under tall conifers or hedges. This variety can also be bred in the sun, only subject to abundant watering.

If the flower grows in the shade, flowering can be late and not be so generous. This variety tolerates the shadow well, but then blooms later and less abundantly.

What should be the soil?

Rasodendron Rasputin needs drained, sufficiently moist, and fertilized soil.

When planting to form a flow of water, this variety does not tolerate moisture stagnation.

The feature of Rasputin rhododendron is that it can be planted not only on acidic soil, but also neutral. Preferred soil composition for Rasputin Rhododendron:

sour horse peat - 1 hour;
garden land (loam) - 1 hour;
pine litter - 1 hour

Landing

The procedure for planting rhododendron Rasputin is not complicated:

Soak the container with the seedling well by immersing it in water for 20 minutes.
Dig a hole 50-60 cm deep.
Lining drainage from pebbles, gravel and sawdust.
Half of the prepared mixture is poured with a slide.
Vertically place the bush in a pit, be sure to straighten the roots.
Fall asleep completely to the root neck.
The substrate is slightly compacted.
Abundant watering is important.
Mulch with a layer of 5 cm. Composition of mulch: sawdust and needles.

Important: seedlings must be shaded from direct sunlight.

Temperature

Rasputin rhododendron has good frost resistance, in winter, the flower painlessly withstands a temperature drop of -28 ° C.

It is still better to shelter young bushes for the first 2-3 years after planting for the winter. The optimum temperature for Rasputin rhododendron is 12-15 ° C.

In summer, when shaded and regularly sprayed, this variety can tolerate heat up to 30 ° C.

Watering

In hot summers, regular, moderate watering is required. And on very hot days add daily spraying. In the summer - 1-2 times a week for 1 bucket of water per bush.

Before the start of winter, before frosts, you need to water the flowers abundantly. In winter, watering is reduced, watering can only be done in dry weather.

Top dressing

As fertilizer for Rasputin rhododendron, mineral fertilizing will be required or rotted manure.

Fertilizers that contain lime and chlorine should not be used.

Pruning

Trim dry Rasputin Rhododendron flowers for development of future shoots.

Sanitary pruning of dry and damaged stems after flowering is required. In June, excess root shoots are removed.

Transfer

For transplantation of Rasputin rhododendron, the best time is before and no later than 3 weeks after flowering. A bush of this variety is transplanted in late March - early April.

Attention: in the first year after transplanting, for best rooting, it is necessary to remove all buds, flowering can weaken the transplanted flower.

How to prepare for winter?

Despite the fact that Rasodendron Rasputin is classified as winter-hardy varieties, it is recommended to cover it with dry coniferous spruce branches or burlap for the winter.

In early spring, shelter is removed in stages, protecting the leaves from burns of the intense sun.

How to propagate?

Rhododendron Rasputin propagated by cuttings in early August:

Use shoots apical, young.
Cuttings of 5-7 cm are cut.
The upper buds are removed, the leaves from the lower part are also removed.
At the bottom of the planting cuttings, the bark is cut, treated with root or other growth stimulant.
The stem is buried by 2 cm.
The substrate is pressed firmly on the side.
Good soil moisture is important.
Seedlings are covered with a film and shaded.
Grown in greenhouses or hotbeds, regularly airing 2-3 times a day.
After a month, the seedlings take root. The temperature should not exceed 8 ° C.
After wintering, seedlings are transplanted into the open ground.

Diseases and Pests

With excessive irrigation and stagnation of water, Rasputin Rasputin can be affected by fungal diseases. Spraying with Bordeaux liquid will help. It is necessary to clean the bush from damaged shoots and leaves.
Soap solution will help get rid of the usual spider mite. You can spray karbofosom. Damaged areas are recommended to be cut off.
Rhododendron ticks and bedbugs are common pests. They can be collected manually or sprayed with a solution of soap and tobacco.

Prevention

In order not to damage the root when weeding weeds, you need to carefully loosen the soil.
If the leaves turn yellow, the acidity of the substrate is reduced. When watering, you need to add any soil acidifiers.
For the prevention of fungi and rot 2 times a season, treatment with any preparations containing copper or a solution of baseazole is recommended.

To see the normal development and luxurious flowering of Rasputin rhododendron at its site, it is necessary to provide competent and quality care for this exotic flower.