Content
- Rhododendrons multiply easily
- The 7 most common propagation practices at a glance:
- Propagate by sowing - a long game of patience
- Rhododendron multiply by offshoot
- Moss, drop or graft ideal for clones
- Grafting with rhododendron seedlings as a base
- Cuttings or enhancement propagation
- Tips & Tricks
Rhododendrons multiply easily
Rhododendrons fascinate in the spring with flowers in every imaginable color. Especially two-tone are more popular and are very trendy. Anyone who misses such a splendid specimen in his garden can either buy it or multiply it himself.
Rhododendrons awaken the collecting passion in many hobby gardeners. Because the pleasure of creating two or more plants successfully is fun. Most rhododendron varieties can be multiplied by refining them. The propagation by cuttings is recommended only for certain rhododendron varieties.
The 7 most common propagation practices at a glance:
Propagate by sowing - a long game of patience
Germinating seed capsules are significantly more voluminous than unfertilized ones. The fresher the seed, the more germinable and easier to multiply. Embedded in peat substrate with sand and perlite, the seed germinates in the indoor greenhouse depending on the rhododendron species after 4-6 weeks.
But only after a year you have the agony of choice. Then you can pique the delicate green and accelerate the growth by careful fertilization. The first flower buds form at the earliest after 2 years. As long as you have to wait and see ...
Rhododendron multiply by offshoot
After flowering is the perfect time to cut off offshoots. Older rhododendrons with ground-level side shoots are best suited for this purpose. Choose a side shoot and cut the bark about 15 centimeters below the leaf whisk with a sharp knife. Now you put a match in the notch to keep it open. The incision forms wound tissue (callus). This will give birth to new roots next spring. Now you carefully separate the new plant without damaging roots to the mother plant. The newly acquired offshoot you plant in a partially shaded place and pours it vigorously.
Moss, drop or graft ideal for clones
You just want to clone a duplicate of your rhododendron? This is achieved by abmoosen, lower or graft. When mossing and lowering you cut a ground near young branch at an angle and lower it into a peat bed. As soon as roots form, you separate the shoot from the mother plant.
Mossy is different in that the cut surface is wrapped in some damp spaghnum moss. Finally, a black plastic cuff is tied to the branch at the top and bottom with a wire, keeping it moist and warm. Now it's time to wait and press the green thumb. After 1 to 2 months, the interface sprouts roots. Then separate the branch and add it.
Grafting with rhododendron seedlings as a base
Grafting with rhododendron seedlings as a base requires some experience. For species such as the rhododendron variety Cunningham's White react differently to documents.
The stem diameter of scion and base must be the same thickness. You both tilt, squeeze them together and wrap the finish with bast. On the base, which is in a pot, you put a plastic hood and tie it firmly, so that a greenhouse is created. If the pot is in a bright, shady and cool place, the precious rice grows within one year. The fact is: not all game species can be grafted or benefit from a more robust waking surface.
Cuttings or enhancement propagation
These are vegetative propagation methods with a plant that has the same characteristics as the mother plant. The ideal method if you want to multiply easily, quickly and cheaply a new breed.
Basically you take only the head-cutting from the end of the drive. Existing flower buds break out. Cut the cuttings to the width of the hand, remove the lower leaves and place them in nutrient-poor soil.
And how does it continue? Winterize rooted cuttings in the greenhouse and potting or planting at planting time next spring.
Tips & Tricks
Whether hobby gardener or professional - who wants to propagate rhododendron for the following applies: experimentation is about studying. Because practice makes the master and by damage you become wise. Therefore, I wish you much patience and harm, but even more wisdom!