How to fertilize rhododendrons in spring with sandy soil. Rhododendrons. Feeding rules

Following several important recommendations, you will ensure that rhododendrons will definitely take root in the garden. Due to the huge variety of species, planting and care may vary somewhat. But they are still united by common methods of cultivation.

The best time to plant rhododendrons is in spring. During the summer months, the plants will take root and get stronger. When choosing seedlings, do not chase older plants. It is better to get a baby who will take root faster in a new place. Most often, deciduous and evergreen plants are on sale.

Choosing a place to land

The best place for rhododendron will be partial shade. Plants must receive Sun rays at least half a day. Rhododendrons feel good when trees grow nearby or buildings are located. This will further protect the seedlings from strong winds. In the open sun, rhododendrons will not be comfortable.

The soil

An important component of success is the preparation of the soil. Rhododendrons do not tolerate clay, heavy, damp places. Therefore, it is so necessary to properly prepare the landing hole. The size of the hole depends on the size of the root system. Experts advise a depth of about 50 cm. But it would be more correct to focus on the root ball. The hole is dug 20 - 35 cm deeper than the height of the root ball and 10 - 25 cm more than its width. Rhododendrons have a superficial root system, and it is very important to put drainage (expanded clay, coarse sand, broken brick, fine gravel) at the bottom of the pit, the layer of which is at least 20 cm.

The soil for filling the pit is prepared separately. A mixture like this will do: leaf ground(3 parts), softwood bedding from the forest (1 part) and peat (2 parts), you can also use small softwood bark. About 60 - 70 g of mineral fertilizer per pit is added to the mixture. Fertilizers should not contain chlorine and calcium. You can use the fertilizer "Kemira wagon" (now it has a different name, "Fertika"). When planting, care must be taken not to deepen the root neck of the rhododendron. It is necessary to plant a plant as it sat in a pot. Planting is allowed 2 - 3 cm deeper, taking into account the draft of the plant.

Care

With a good dressing of the planting pit, rhododendrons can do without additional dressings for two years. In the future, two main nutrient top dressings are introduced annually. First - in early spring dry. It includes urea (nitrogen, 2 parts), superphosphate (1 part) and potassium sulfate (1.5 parts). Large doses of superphosphate are dangerous for rhododendrons. Phosphorus inhibits the absorption of iron, important element in the development of plants, which becomes noticeable on the leaves (chlorosis).

The second time in liquid form, a complex fertilizer is applied. It is desirable that the nitrogen content in it be low. It is better to feed in small concentrations. Extra salt rhododendrons do not accept.

In dry weather, plants need watering, spraying. Rhododendrons love moist air. After rains or heavy watering, you can loosen the ground around the roots. This should be done carefully, not deep, so as not to tear the roots. the best way out is mulching with peat, forest needles, sawdust.

To provide good growth, beautiful flowering and resistance of rhododendron to adverse external factors (pests, diseases), it is required to carry out mandatory feeding of the plant. For this, it is recommended to use organic and mineral complexes, as well as various growth stimulants. Uncontrolled use of fertilizers will only harm the plant, so you need to follow the basic rules.

Fertilization Rules

There are a number of rules for fertilizing rhododendron (azalea) that must be followed:

1. Young shrubs should be fed only with products in the form of liquid solutions. They are better absorbed by the root system and absorbed by the plant.
2. Do not use for azaleas growing in Russia, those compositions that are imported in granules. This is due to the fact that they are intended for other climatic conditions (for example, for those areas where there are much more hot days in spring and summer than in Russia). If you use such products, then at the end of August, the green mass may again begin to grow. Because of this, the branches simply do not have time to prepare for the onset of frost. As a result, the shrub will freeze.
3. Do not use wood ash for top dressing. It is not applied to the soil around the rhododendron, because because of this product, the level of soil acidity decreases. This can lead to various diseases in the azalea. In most cases, with such an error, chlorosis develops, which is difficult to cope with. You can determine the presence of the disease by the appearance of yellowish streaks around the veins of the foliage.
4. It is not recommended to use too much fertilizer containing phosphorus. They will interfere with the absorption of iron by the root system, which is contained in the soil. Deficiency of this substance also leads to the development of chlorosis. This is especially true for young shoots.

In the first year, when the plant is just being formed, it is imperative to fertilize the shrub. Otherwise, due to a deficiency of minerals, the leaves will turn pale and fall off.

Azaleas need to be fertilized 3 times. The first time to carry out the procedure should be after winter. Azofoska is required to be applied to the soil around the trunk. This is a mineral fertilizer of a granular type. It contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The product is considered universal, since it includes all components, necessary for the plant spring. Nitrogen is required to maintain and accelerate the growth of green mass and root system. Phosphorus and potassium influence the development of inflorescences and roots.

Azofoska has the following features:

not washed out of the soil for a long time;
contributes to the quality nutrition of the azalea, as it is near the roots of the flower for a long time.

The composition can be added to any type of soil. It should be used exclusively in the spring, when the azalea is still in the process of bud formation. You need to act exactly according to the instructions for the drug. Do not exceed the dosage so as not to provoke the appearance of a burn of the root system.

bush in spring time can be fertilized with Rodo and Azalea Azet. It contains fungal cultures and special microorganisms. It only takes half a cup of this granular product to fertilize one plant. This volume is enough to feed the flower for the next few months. The substance must be applied to the soil when the bud is just blooming.

The next period when it is recommended to add fertilizer to the soil is the end of May or the beginning of June. At this time, the plant is already flowering. The compositions used should contribute to the laying of flower buds on the bush. They will be required for flowering next year.

1. Mix 2 tbsp. l. ammonium sulphate with a spoonful of potassium salt and superphosphate. This amount is enough to process 1 square. m plot.
2. Use the ready-made drug Kemira universal or its analogues. The composition is suitable for perennial flowering shrubs. The product is supposed to be applied under the plant after watering has been carried out.
3. Use organic fertilizers. For feeding rhododendrons, compositions made on the basis of sour peat of a riding type are suitable. With manure, you need to work very carefully. It must be diluted (1 kg of the product is diluted with 20 liters of water), and then wait 3 days until the product is infused. Only after this fertilizer can be added to the soil.
4. Dilute horn meal with water. It contains a large number of phosphorus, and the elements will decompose for several months.

The third dressing after winter is done at the end of July. During its implementation, nitrogen-containing products should not be used, otherwise the shoots will begin to grow again. It is required to add a couple of spoons of compounds that include phosphorus to the soil, add a spoonful of potassium salt. Thanks to this, new shoots that have managed to form during the season will become stronger and more resistant to frost.

After the last fertilization, it is required to mulch the place around the trunk of the shrub. To do this, you need to use the overridden pine needles.

Mineral complexes

Both mineral and organic fertilizers are actively used to feed azaleas. The following minerals are commonly used:

1. Iron chelate. It is used on clay-type soils so that azalea leaves do not turn yellow.
2. Nitrogen-containing compositions. They need to be applied to the ground in the spring to stimulate growth.
3. Potassium sulphate, magnesium and ammonium. These types of fertilizers are great for rhododendron, as they affect the level of soil acidity in favor of reducing the indicator.
4. Phosphorus fats. Contribute to the acceleration of metabolic reactions of the plant.

Mineral fertilizer is a suspension in concentrated form. A minimum volume of product is required to enter the soil. At the same time, the earth is maximally saturated with useful substances.

Also for fertilizing rhododendrons use:

potassium sulphate, calcium, magnesium and ammonium;
potassium nitrate;
potassium phosphate;
superphosphate.

One of the most effective options fertilizing azalea is considered to be the use of a potassium-phosphorus solution of a buffer type. It contains substances that help maintain the optimal level of soil acidity for rhododendrons. When preparing a mixture for 10 liters of liquid, it is required to add 8 g of potassium phosphate and potassium nitrate.

If fertilized various varieties azaleas located in one place, then mineral solution needs to be replaced with dry fats. To prepare them, you need to mix 20 g of superphosphate and potassium sulfate, and then add 40 g of ammonium sulfate. For one shrub up to 1 m high, 80 g of such a composition will be needed. The mixture must be spread over the ground in the spring, as soon as the snow melts. The tuk will penetrate into the soil when watering.

organic matter

Organic fertilizers are the cheapest and most available for feeding shrubs. Popular products that are used to process azalea are:

1. Manure. It cannot be used in fresh, it is necessary to breed. To 1 part of the liquid, add 15 parts of manure, mix thoroughly. After that, it is necessary to wait a few days until microbiological processes take place in the mixture. At this time, air bubbles will appear on the surface of the future fertilizer.
2. Slurry. There are no exact proportions. During the preparation of the composition, it is necessary to focus on the shade of the liquid. The suspension should acquire a light brownish color.
3. Semi-rotted manure. Such a composition should not be diluted in water. In the spring, it is simply distributed over the surface of the earth around the bush. The layer thickness must be at least 5 cm.
4. Slurry and superphosphate. The composition includes both organic and mineral fertilizer. The combination of substances is great for azalea. Thanks to him, the concentration of phosphorus in the soil increases, which is required for the full development of the shrub. 4 kg of superphosphate is added to 100 liters of slurry.

When using slurry, it is necessary to monitor the level of soil acidity. If the color of the foliage begins to change (evergreen shrubs can shed their leaves), then urgent action is required to apply acidic fertilizers. As for the manure itself, bird, cow, pig, and horse droppings can be used for fertilizer.

Among organic fertilizers, horn waste is the most valuable. This applies to chips and flour. They contain large amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen. The decomposition period of these products is quite long, so that the amount of formulations applied will be minimal.

Azaleas can be fertilized with vinegar. This will be needed if ordinary water from a well is used to water the bushes. It needs to be softened up a bit. This is what vinegar is used for. It will take only 2 tbsp. l. for 10 liters of liquid. Vinegar can be replaced with citric acid. In this case, 4 g of the substance will be needed for 10 liters of water. Sometimes shrubs are treated with urea.

Growth and flowering stimulants

Many preparations have been developed that are used to stimulate the growth and flowering of azalea. The most effective of them are:

1. Zircon. Helps the shrub to adapt faster, stimulates the beginning of flowering, promotes the growth of the root system. Sold in ampoules. Add 2 drops of liquid to a watering can with water for irrigation. An overdose should not be allowed. Zircon is also used for spraying azaleas. The procedure is carried out once every 4 days.
2. Appin. This is an anti-session remedy that is perfect for rhododendron. Its difference from Zircon is that the drug is used only for spraying, and once every 2 weeks. If you use the remedy more often, then this will not give any accelerated effect. It is considered no less useful than the previous substance. Sold in ampoules that can not be kept in the light. Spraying an azalea during flowering is prohibited.
3. HB-101. A popular remedy that helps azaleas survive any stress. The advantage is the economy of the product. Only 1 drop of the substance is added to the watering can. It is allowed to use both for watering and for irrigation.
4. Ecogel-antistress. Available in bottles. Suitable for both watering and spraying through a spray bottle. It is considered more effective than Epin.
5. Ferovit. This azalea food contains iron chelate. Usually used when chlorosis develops on a shrub. Helps to increase green mass, improves appearance. Used for both watering and spraying. The latter is considered more efficient.
6. Emerald. It is usually used when azalea leaves turn brown, faded. Helps to increase green mass.
7. Fitosporin-M. Prevents rotting of roots, development of various diseases. You will need 10 drops of the product per cup of water.

Feeding rhododendron shrubs is a necessary step in plant care. It is especially needed in the spring after the snow melts. You can use both organic and mineral fertilizers. They stimulate the growth of green mass, accelerate the growth of the bush. Top dressing has a beneficial effect on flowering.

Not every fan can achieve a truly luxurious appearance from a rhododendron. The plant is demanding on growing conditions, and a special place in caring for it is occupied by the correct and timely application of fertilizers. How to feed the rhododendron in the spring, so that with the advent of summer it will please everyone around with its beautiful flowers? The answer to this question is in this article.

Inadequate nutrition or an unbalanced diet of rhododendrons significantly impairs their health and decorative properties. The lack of various chemical elements is manifested in the following changes in the appearance of the shrub:

leaves turn yellow;
young shoots stop growing;
buds freeze in development and fall off;
leaves are covered with spots.

If the crown of the rhododendron has lost its natural luster, and dirty brown spots have appeared along the edges of the green leaf plates, potassium reserves are depleted in the soil, the bushes must be urgently fed with appropriate fertilizer.

Yellowing of foliage indicates an excess of aluminum, which is often "sinned" clay soils. In this case, the plant can be helped by watering with a solution of iron chelate.

Deterioration of the decorative properties of rhododendron in the second year after planting in open ground often attributed to problems with acclimatization or pest infestation. However, treating such an instance and spraying it insecticides often only exacerbates the situation. The shrub lacks nutrition, the reserves of which in the soil have dried up in the first year of cultivation.

for normal development and lush flowering rhododendron, you should follow the recommendations regarding the implementation of its top dressing as accurately as possible.

Features of the root system: what fertilizers can not be used?

home distinguishing feature rhododendron roots lies in the presence of mycorrhiza in them - a special fungus that helps the plant survive and develop on acidic soil with a minimum content of nutrients (bushes prefer just such soil).

Mycorrhiza makes its own demands on the composition of fertilizers and dressings. It does not tolerate chlorine, therefore, in preparations for rhododendrons of this chemical element should not be.

The root system of the shrub is compact, it is not able to grow strongly and independently extract food for the plant from deeper and more distant layers of soil from the planting site. This feature must be taken into account when caring for a crop, feeding it in a timely manner so that rhododendrons in the process of growth do not experience a lack of chemical elements that are important for them.

Basic feeding rules

When feeding the culture in question with the necessary substances, it is necessary to adhere to the following recommendations:

Fertilizers and top dressing are required for rhododendrons from the first year of planting. The scarcity of the diet quickly affects the health and appearance of plants, and prolonged lack of nutrition can lead to their death.

When fertilizing rhododendrons, it is important to carefully monitor the dosage of drugs. If the bush feels good, instead of top dressing, it is better to mulch the soil under it so as not to damage the roots with an excess of “chemistry”.

For the first time, fertilizers for rhododendrons are applied to the soil in early spring to help the plants recover after wintering. The next application is planned for mid-summer after flowering is completed and during the period of active growth of the vegetative mass. Top dressing should be completed in mid-July so that excess nutrition does not provoke the growth of new stems, which will not have time to get stronger in the months remaining before winter and will freeze out with the onset of cold weather.
Before fertilizing the rhododendron, it must be watered abundantly to protect the roots from chemical burns. The shrub also responds well to monthly watering with acidified water. It is prepared by squeezing the juice of 1 lemon into 1 liter of water (you can use it instead citric acid- 2 tbsp. spoons per 10 liters of water). Each plant needs at least 5 liters of this liquid.
Both organic and mineral fertilizers are applied in liquid form. Only in autumn or early spring is it allowed to feed the plants with whole humus. To do this, pieces of fertilizer are laid out under the bushes on the surface of the earth. Rains and melt waters will take nutrients with them and deliver them to the roots in a dissolved form.

Types of fertilizers

To feed rhododendrons, both organic and mineral fertilizers are used with equal success, which differ from each other in the ratio of micro- and macroelements, as well as in application features.

mineral

Special fertilizers developed for the needs of rhododendrons and azaleas, due to the balanced composition, help to avoid mistakes in the organization of top dressing. Such mixtures are easy to prepare and are perfectly absorbed by plants.

organic

Organics is the most environmentally friendly food option for rhododendrons, but due to the high nitrogen content, it can only be used in spring. Natural fertilizers not only increase the fertility of the soil, but also improve its structure, enhance water-retaining properties.

The composition of organic fertilizer may include manure, bird droppings, peat, compost, horn shavings, etc. Usually, organic matter is applied under bushes in the form of an aqueous solution, but it can also be used as mulch. Good way organizing additional nutrition for rhododendrons - mulching tree trunks in spring and autumn with a mixture of rotted manure and high-moor peat.

Top dressing scheme

At various stages of development, rhododendrons require different nutrients, therefore, when fertilizing, one should adhere to the following fertilizer application scheme:

In early spring, the shrub is fertilized with organic matter or preparations containing nitrogen (ammonium nitrate is suitable). Such top dressing helps plantings to come out of hibernation and prepare for future flowering.
With the onset of the budding period, the diet of plants is enriched with fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (Azofoska can be used). This allows you to strengthen the root system of the rhododendron, prolong the flowering period and stimulate the process of building new shoots.
When flowering is completed, the shrubs are fed with complex fertilizers. A universal mixture of potassium sulfate and superphosphate (20 g each) with the addition of ammonium sulfate (40 g) is suitable. Such a measure helps the plants recover and successfully cope with the subsequent laying of flower buds in order to bloom on time in the new season.

Top dressing is completed in mid-July, as at this time the rhododendrons begin to prepare for a dormant period. Additional nutrition will enhance the growth of shoots and worsen the winter hardiness of plants.

Products on the market

There are a lot of means for feeding rhododendrons on the market. When choosing the optimal fertilizer, one should focus on what problems the plants have and what end result should be achieved by using this or that drug.

Pokon

Dutch-made universal fertilizer that promotes regular, plentiful and long flowering rhododendrons, as well as the maximum preservation of their health. The product is perfectly absorbed by plants and is approved for use all year round. During the period of active vegetation, the composition is diluted according to the instructions (at the rate of 10 ml of the drug per 1 liter of water), in winter, for home or greenhouse varieties, the dosage is halved.

Bona forte

Russian complex fertilizer for rhododendrons is used to increase their decorative effect, stimulate growth and provide good nutrition. When growing shrubs, it is recommended to combine root dressing and spraying with Bona Forte. For watering plants, the drug is diluted in water at the rate of 10 ml per 1.5 liters of liquid, sprayed with a solution containing a half dose of the agent.

Manure

As a fertilizer for rhododendrons, cow dung is used only in a semi-rotted form. Top dressing is carried out in spring or summer, carefully monitoring the level of soil acidity and preventing it from lowering.

Pork and horse dung categorically not suitable for fertilizing rhododendrons, as they contribute to the alkalization of the soil.

Preparations containing compressed manure can be easily found in gardening stores.

succinic acid

This substance is not a fertilizer, but is used as an aid to improve the uptake by plants. nutrients from the soil. The drug is produced in the form of a water-soluble powder.

Wrong actions and their consequences

Rhododendrons are very sensitive to care for them. Even small inaccuracies in actions can lead to a deterioration in the decorativeness and health of these plants. This is especially true for the quality, quantity and timeliness of feeding shrubs.

Overdose

Florists make this mistake most often, and its consequences for rhododendrons are the most deplorable. An excess dose of fertilizer can burn the tender roots of the shrub so much that it is impossible to save the plant. If, as a result of an overdose of top dressing, the situation has not yet reached a critical level and the flower is showing signs of life, it makes sense to urgently transplant it into a fresh substrate, treating the root system with Zircon according to the instructions. Such a measure is rare, but still helps the rhododendron recover from chemical burns.

Unsuitable formulations

Fertilizers that reduce the acidity of the soil should not be applied under rhododendrons. From such top dressing, the flowers will slow down in development, will hurt and may die.

Also unsuitable for rhododendrons are compositions that have a ratio of basic micro- and macroelements that is different from the needs of shrubs. The use of such fertilizers will only harm vulnerable flowers.

Violation of the rules of care

Rhododendrons do not like:

Spraying during flowering. Plants react to this procedure by darkening and subsequent dropping of buds and inflorescences.
Top dressing during flowering. The answer to this manipulation is the same as in the previous case. For a while, until the plants bloom, top dressing is canceled completely.
Fertilization in hot weather or in dry soil. As a result, the roots of shrubs are affected by chemical burns, which often leads to the death of plants in the future.

Feeding should be carried out only in the evening or early morning hours.

The maximum decorative effect from a rhododendron or azalea cannot be achieved if the intricacies of catering for these evergreen shrubs are not mastered. High-quality and timely top dressing easily provides luxurious flowering and attractive crop appearance throughout the growing season.

Heat-loving and tender rhododendrons or rose trees, whose homeland is the Mediterranean, in the middle latitudes require more careful care and compliance with agricultural technology.

Flowers in the form of bells, collected in inflorescences from 3 to 10 pieces in one during flowering spread the aroma. The flowering period is not long: only 2 - 3 weeks in the spring. AT favorable conditions the shrub grows up to 2 meters, but more often the height of the plant does not exceed a meter.

Conditions for growing rosewood

Rhododendrons love acidic soils, but grow well in slightly acidic ones. They do not like wind, scorching rays of the sun and drafts. Therefore, before planting a rhododendron, you need to evaluate your site in terms of soil pH and the presence of big trees in the shade of which you can hide pink tree. It is also desirable that the shrub be closed on the north side by a wall, so the most favorable place is near the fence or behind the house.

Stagnation of water badly affects the roots and, as a result, the quality of flowering. If there is a hill near the house, this place should be suitable for a rhododendron.

Landing

For a seedling bought in a store, a pit up to 1 meter deep and 60 cm wide is being prepared. This is necessary in order to add a substrate for feeding rhododendron, which consists of humus, peat and coniferous needles.

The root system should fit freely in the hole. The earth in a pot must first be soaked and left for an hour so that the tree receives the necessary moisture. For better survival, stimulants are added so that the plant tolerates the transplant better. We must not forget that this tree takes root with difficulty, so it is better to play it safe.

The rose tree is transplanted to the same depth at which the root collar was in the purchased container. After sprinkling with earth, the place is well watered, and mulched to preserve moisture. Coniferous litter or bark is suitable for this purpose.

Important! On neutral soils, water for irrigation of rhododendrons is specially acidified. Suitable vinegar, oxalic or sulfuric acid, diluted in 3% concentration

Planting is best done in spring or in the first half of summer, so that the shrub has time to take root and new shoots become woody by the onset of autumn. If transplanted later, then starting in August abundant watering reduce so that new branches do not grow, otherwise they will freeze before they can be covered with tree bark.

For planting choose two-year or three-year-old bushes. Before buying, they inspect the root system: it should not have extraneous inclusions, swelling, weeping areas. The leaves should be dark green in color, without spots.

Care

The most vulnerable spot of the rhododendron is its root system. It is located in the upper layers of the soil and cannot get water and nutrients from deep horizons. Therefore, around the tree, weeds must be periodically removed, which take away food from the plant, as well as the water it needs. Loosening is carried out carefully so as not to damage the roots.

Due to the high acidity of the soil, which is necessary condition growth, the plant may be deficient in iron or manganese. To do this, use special solutions of trace elements for feeding rhododendron. Important: solutions should not contain calcium, otherwise the pH of the soil will increase and the plant will wither.

Rhododendron needs winter shelter, as it does not tolerate frost well. Even the most cold-resistant varieties are covered with special material. Before shelter, you need to build a frame of boards so that the branches do not break under the weight of snow.

Rules for feeding rhododendron

Any fertilizer for rhododendrons - mineral or organic, containing calcium, is not suitable for rosewood. It is impossible to lime the soil and use ash, since calcium is contained in large quantities in the ash solution. Rhododendron leaves may begin to turn yellow due to chlorosis.

Mineral supplements

From mineral fertilizers it is better to use special mixtures to maintain the desired acidity of the soil. Such mixtures are sold in gardening stores or supermarkets. Flower lovers who have been growing rhododendrons for a long time have noticed that it is better not to use imported mixtures, as they are designed for plants cultivated in warm climates.

In the southern regions, the growth of new shoots is not a problem, since the rose tree does not experience temperature changes. AT middle lane when using foreign mineral fertilizers, rhododendrons begin to actively grow branches that do not have time to be covered with a protective bark and freeze out in winter.

If such mixtures are used, then only once - in the spring. How to feed the rhododendron in the fall, you need to choose from domestic fertilizers or combine them yourself.

Video: How to achieve lush flowering of rhododendrons

To maintain acidity at 4.5 - 5.5 only acidic substances are used:

sulfate, phosphate or potassium nitrate;

calcium sulfate;

ammonium sulphate;

superphosphate.

Also magnesium sulphate. Substance concentration per 1,000 ml of water should be no more than 2 grams. Potash - 1/1 000.

Nutritional deficiencies can be identified by appearance foliage, lack of growth of new shoots. The resulting buds may stop growing or the plant will drop them: this indicates a deficiency of minerals, in which the plant loses its strength and is not able to bloom. It's important to keep a balance nutrients. They are brought in as a complex.

Clay soils contain more aluminum salts, which causes leaf chlorosis.

Chelated forms of iron, for example, Ferovit, will help correct the situation. Do not use iron sulphate. In rhododendrons, it causes leaf burns. On the other hand, rosewood is deficient in iron when the pH is raised.

Therefore, watering is carried out with soft water, preferably rainwater, which does not contain lime and does not alkalize the soil. If in other plants signs of chlorosis appear at a soil pH above 7, then in rhododendrons it is noticeable after 6 units.

Purchased formulations such as Kemira or RodoAzalia AZ - best fertilizers for rosewood. With self-mixing, take 40 g of superphosphate and 20 g of ammonium sulfate and potassium for each adult tree.

Rosewood Organic Fertilizers

Categorically it is impossible to make under rhododendrons chicken manure, pig and horse manure. Mullein is useful only in rotted form. It is scattered over the snow so that the nutrients get into the soil with melt water.

It is completely impossible to do without organic matter, because organic residues serve as food for soil microorganisms, without which soil characteristics deteriorate and deplete.

In liquid form, nutrients are absorbed faster by the plant, so the mullein is brought in in the form of a solution at a concentration of 1/20, that is, 1 liter of manure and 20 liters of water. Infuse for a week and water the moist soil under the roots.

Horn shavings are made from the horns and hooves of cattle. Contains phosphorus and nitrogen in the ratio of 1/3, which is suitable for the spring-summer season under the rosewood. Feeding rhododendrons with horn flour in autumn is not desirable, since in the middle lane nitrogen fertilizers have a detrimental effect on shoots. It is applied dry and provides nutrients to the plant throughout the season.

Fertilization scheme

Newly planted bushes do not need additional nutrition, since a sufficient amount of nutrients was introduced during transplantation. From the second year, you can begin to fully fertilize rhododendrons.

First dressing

How to feed rhododendron in spring:

Azofoska- complex fertilizer containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Shoot growth begins in May, so in mid-April you need to scatter granules around the trunk of 20 - 30 g per plant.

In the spring it is useful to add organic matter in the form of compost or rotted manure. Available in liquid form.

As nitrogen fertilizer use ammonium nitrate.

Top dressing is applied in advance so that the substances have time to dissolve in the soil.

Second top dressing

A month passes between the first and second feeding of rhododendrons. When the buds begin to tie, you can again use the azophos.

The mixture stimulates the growth of roots, strengthens shoots and leaves. The presence of potassium supports the buds preparing for flowering. The second top dressing is very important, as budding can stop due to nutrient deficiencies.

Third top dressing

After flowering ends in late June and early July, the bush should recover and begin to prepare for the next season. For this, the plant needs potassium and phosphorus in order for vegetative buds to form in sufficient quantities. For the third stage, it is enough to mix 20 g of potassium sulfate and superphosphate.

For a long time it was believed that rhododendrons grow and develop well without top dressing - this opinion was held not only by amateur gardeners, but also by specialists.

The prejudice against mineral fertilizers was especially strong, since it was believed that they were not tolerated. But as knowledge on the mineral nutrition of plants expanded, mineral fertilizers began to be used first in nurseries, and then for private plantations.

Nowadays, no one doubts that in order for the rhododendron to grow well and develop properly, fertilizers are necessary. Moreover, recent studies have shown that plants that are better supplied with nutrients are more resistant to low temperatures than those who were "starving".

Determining nutritional deficiencies is easy. Most hallmark is a change in the color of the leaves - they brighten, grow dull, the shoots acquire a yellowish-green hue. The annual growth of such plants is very small, buds are poorly laid, in August - September there is an active fall of old leaves.

Rules for the application of mineral fertilizers for azaleas and rhododendrons

Since the rhododendron loves acidic soil, for its feeding it should be used, for the most part, physiological mineral fertilizers in liquid form - ammonium sulphate, calcium sulphate, phosphate and nitric potassium, superphosphate.

It is important to remember that the rhododendron has a superficial root system, so only those methods that exclude digging are suitable for fertilizing.

ON THE PICTURE: Fertilizer for azaleas and rhododendrons should not contain chlorine

The ratio of the amount of fertilizer to the amount of water should not exceed 1–2:1000 (or even lower if we are talking about a solution of potash fertilizers). Young plants should be fed with less concentrated fertilizers.

You need to start top dressing already in early spring (as soon as the snow melts), and stop in mid-July, otherwise warm weather and sufficient soil and air moisture can lead to secondary growth of shoots - in our climate, this phenomenon is observed in some types of rhododendron at the end August - early September. You can stop the growth process by treating plants with a 1% solution of monosubstituted potassium phosphate KH2PO4 or a 1% solution of potassium sulfate K2SO4.

A very good result is obtained by fertilizing with mixtures of acidic fertilizers: magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, ammonium sulfate and superphosphate in a ratio of 2:4:9:10. Such fertilizer is recommended to be applied in several stages:

in early spring, during the swelling of the kidneys - at the rate of 100 g of the mixture per 1 m 2;
at the end of flowering - at the rate of 100 g of the mixture per 1 m 2;
in early July - at the rate of 50 g of the mixture per 1 m 2.

If such a mixture is not available, any other complete mineral fertilizer will do, but in this case it will be necessary to add 30% ammonium sulfate.

ON THE PICTURE: Some fertilizers increase the alkalinity of the soil, so you need to regularly monitor its condition.

For azaleas and rhododendrons general rule top dressing: at the beginning of summer, fertilizers containing more , and from July until the end of flowering - fertilizers with a higher content of phosphorus and calcium.

Of course it's better to use ready mixes mineral fertilizers, fortunately, today their choice is very large. For example, "Kemira for rhododendrons" or "Kemira wagon". It can be used both for liquid top dressing, and simply scattered around the bushes at the rate of 100 g per 1 m 2.

An excellent effect is given by microbiological preparations of the Shining series in combination with organic matter. For example, "Shine - 1" + mulch (coniferous litter) or "Shine - 3 + sawdust compost (with the addition of a small amount of cow manure).

For the best fit is the special Azalea fertilizer, it comes from different companies. During the budding period, to accelerate flowering, fertilizers such as "Kemira-lux" or "Uniflor-buton" are applied, which contain a large amount of potassium and phosphorus, during the growing season - nitrogen-rich "Uniflor-micro". In spring and summer they feed once a week, in autumn and winter - once every 2 weeks.

Organic fertilizers for azaleas and rhododendrons

Along with mineral, rhododendrons also need organic fertilizers. The most accessible and common are semi-rotted cow dung and compost from coniferous litter. Pig and horse manure, as well as bird droppings, are unsuitable, as they increase the alkalinity of the soil.

ON THE PICTURE:If the rhododendron lacks iron, this can lead to the development of chlorosis.

Important! Remember to check the pH regularly substrate. For heathers, this figure should be in the range of 4.5-5, but not higher. In alkaline soils, mycorrhiza is unable to perform its function, metabolism is disturbed, and the plant is very “starving” even in rich soil.

Organic, as well as mineral, it is desirable to apply in liquid form. If you use manure for top dressing, it must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:15–20 and left for 2–3 days until active microbiological processes begin, and only then fertilize the rhododendron.

You can also use slurry, after diluting it with water to a light brown color. To increase the content of phosphate in diluted slurry, it is advisable to add superphosphate to it at the rate of 3-4 kg. per 100 l. liquids. If you use slurry as a top dressing for your rhododendron, keep a close eye on the reaction of the soil, as such a fertilizer can change the pH level of the substrate. Before feeding, the plant must be well watered in order to properly wet the earthen ball.

ON THE PICTURE: A regularly fertilized rhododendron will appear before you in all its glory - bright, juicy greenery, an abundance of flowers, a lush habit.

From time to time, water your green pets with acidified water - azaleas and rhododendrons love it very much. For acidification, you can use citric or oxalic acid (1.5–2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water), table or apple 9% vinegar (100 g per 10 liters of water).