Rhododendron is widely known among experienced gardeners. Its shrubs have a truly magnificent view, and exquisite inflorescences can decorate any garden or personal plot. However, despite many newly bred unpretentious varieties, this plant is still characterized by some moodiness. There are frequent cases of an almost complete absence of its growth and flowering. In order to cope with such problems, it is necessary to study in advance the causes and methods of dealing with them.

Why is growing slowly

Before assessing the growth of rhododendron, it should be understood that for this plant it is initially characteristic to grow slowly (not more than 4-5 cm per year). However, due to its whimsicality, often it is the incorrect follow of care procedures that is the reason for the lack of increase in plant height.

Did you know? In Nepal, rhododendron acts as a national symbol, and its flowers can often be found as the main ingredient in national dishes. —- marinated, in batter, as well as dried and chopped (seasonings).

So, the main ones include:

• violation of the recommended landing procedure;
• wrong choice of place of plant growth;
• improper proximity to other cultures.

What to do if rhododendron does not grow

First of all, in order to avoid further problems with the growth of rhododendron, you need to correctly determine the place of its landing. Due to the moisture-loving nature of the plant, the most suitable area would be located near water bodies (for example, a fountain or a pond), but not in a swampy area (stagnation of water and close passage of groundwater should be excluded). Rhododendron reacts negatively to the presence of direct sunlight, and therefore, the best option would be to plant it in a small penumbra, for example, near trees. Moreover, such a neighborhood will also protect the shrub from drafts and northerly winds that are harmful to it.

Important! If the rhododendron is planted near the trees, the planting pit is previously fenced off from the root system of the neighboring tree using roofing material or slate.

After choosing a place, you should pay maximum attention to the landing procedure itself, which contains several stages:

1. The planting hole should be prepared 10-14 days before planting, which will allow the soil to moisten and evenly settle.
2. The dimensions of the hole are on average 60 × 60 × 60 cm, but can vary somewhat (the size of the root system must be taken into account).
3. The first layer in the landing pit is drainage (crushed stone or brick), its thickness should be at least 15 cm. Then, the hole is half-filled with peat. And the last layer is a substrate, which includes 1 part of garden soil and 1 part of deciduous humus.
4. The rhizome of the seedling is straightened, and the bush itself is set vertically so that the root neck is not deepened (located at ground level).
5. After planting, the root circle of each plant is abundantly watered with a solution of water with the addition of a growth stimulator (1 bucket of water per 1 bush). Next, the soil is mulched.

It is better not to plant rhododendron next to evergreen spruce, birch, linden, chestnut, aspen, elm or maple.

Particular attention should also be paid to the neighbors of the bush. The best of these will be fruit trees (apple, plum, cherries, cherries, pears), as well as pines or oaks. However, even in this case, in order to avoid competition for nutrients, rhododendron should be planted at a distance of about 2 m from the trunk of a neighboring tree (on the periphery of the crown). Neighborhood of some plants may adversely affect the growth of shrubs.

Reasons for the lack of flowering

There are many reasons why rhododendron does not bloom in open ground.

Important! Inflorescences should be removed by breaking off, rather than pruning, which is a less traumatic method, since it imitates the natural process of falling flowers.

Among the most common of them:

1. Lack of sufficient sunlight. Despite the fact that this shrub can easily get burns of foliage in the open sun, a full shadow will also negatively affect its flowering. However, today there are many species that easily carry open terrain. Among the large-flowered varieties, the hybrids of Torrero and Katarina von Toll can be noted.
2. Not removed inflorescences. Faded inflorescences must be removed, otherwise all the forces of the bush will go to seed formation.
3. Freezing of the kidneys in the winter. Due to the tying of flower buds in the summer and their further blooming next spring, in the conditions of cold, snowless and windy winters, the buds can freeze and deteriorate. In order to avoid such situations, during wintering the plant is covered with agrotextile or covered with coniferous paws.
4. Fungal diseases. Fungi often affect rhododendron, adversely affecting both the development of the entire plant and its flowering potential. In order to avoid the disease, prophylaxis should be carried out regularly - to prevent high bushiness of the bush, not to exceed the irrigation rate and to carry out spring treatment with fungicidal preparations. In case of infection, remove all affected areas of the plant and burn them.
5. Pest attack. It has negative consequences for the plant. The struggle consists in the mechanical collection of insects from the bush (manually), as well as the processing of insecticides.

It is better not to plant rhododendron next to evergreen spruce, birch, linden, chestnut, aspen, elm or maple.

In addition to the reasons given, there are several other factors that prevent the plant from blooming and developing well.

Too alkaline soil

The optimal soil for the healthy growth of rhododendron is a slightly acidic and acidic soil. A high pH (indicator above 7) indicates a high alkali content, which will negatively affect the condition of the plant (poor appearance, poor development, lack of flowering).

In case there is no acidic soil on the site, its structure can be improved independently, by adding:

• acid horticultural peat;
• composted pine bark;
• special preparations for acidification of the substrate.

The optimal level is considered to be a pH from 4 to 4.5, which ensures good assimilation of nutrients from the soil by the shrub.

Excess fertilizer

Many inexperienced gardeners, in an attempt to improve the condition of the rhododendron, contribute too much fertilizer to the ground. However, despite expectations, the effect is fundamentally the opposite - the state of the plant only worsens.

That is why fertilizer should be applied no more than twice a year:

• in the spring, during the growing season, before budding, using mineral fertilizers (2 tablespoons per 1 m²);
• in the fall, before the start of frosts, using potassium-phosphorus fertilizers (following the instructions).

It is categorically not recommended to fertilize the bushes during the period of bud formation, since this approach can provoke falling flowers.

You should also abandon the frequent application of nitrogen to the soil, which will affect the rapid growth and development of the green mass of the plant, but will prevent the setting of buds. Superphosphates will be the best option.

The bush grows on the wrong substrate

An unsuitable substrate can cause poor growth, lack of flowering, and the development of fungal diseases. It is necessary to avoid calcareous, dry or too moist, heavy, clay and impermeable soils. Useful procedures to help preserve all important soil characteristics include mulching.

Did you know? Some varieties of rhododendron are known to contain andromedotoxin, which has an exciting effect on the human nervous system. This condition is often described as "mild intoxication."

It provides:

• maintaining substrate moisture at the required level;
• maintaining the desired pH level;
• protection of rhizomes from the negative effects of frost and drought;
• protection against weed grass.

As an optimal mulch, the crushed bark of coniferous trees is used.

Most gardeners do not stop the minor difficulties in caring for the rhododendron, which is why this shrub can be more and more often found in personal plots. Admiring its magnificent inflorescences, all the efforts aimed at its cultivation are justified. Indeed, this plant deserves special attention, especially since following all the rules of agrotechnical measures will ensure its healthy growth and development.