Transplanting a rhododendron from one place to another

Rhododendron transplant is a simple process that consists of several elementary stages. But the snags lie in the little things: correctly selected soil, preparing a pit, watering, forming a drainage layer, choosing a place, time and neighbors. If everything is done correctly, the plant will feel perfect and quickly take root in a new place.

Rhododendron transplant in spring and autumn: which is better

First you need to decide when you can transplant the rhododendron to another place. There are several options - spring and autumn. Which season is better for planting can be determined by several nuances:

Recovery of rhododendron after transplant

• if planting is done in spring, then it is advisable to carry out the procedure before flowering occurs. Usually, the transplant is carried out from mid-April to mid-May;
• in the fall, you need to start transplanting at the moment when the rose bush completely blooms, but do not tighten it until the cold weather. The ideal option would be from mid-September to early October;
• it is advisable to find the perfect day for the procedure. To do this, you can use the lunar planting calendar. But special attention should be paid to the weather.

It doesn't matter when to transplant the rhododendron, the main thing is to dig a hole in advance. It is necessary to prepare the soil in the fall if planting will be carried out in the spring. When the landing is planned in the fall, the pit is prepared in the spring.

Choosing the season for planting

How to choose a place for a transfer

For the plant to develop normally, you need to choose the right place for transplanting. At the time of choice, it is worth paying attention to several factors:

• determine the correct distance from other plant neighbors;
• remove the bush from buildings and fences;
• choose a place that will suit the preferences of the flower.

If we take into account all the nuances of the choice, then the bush will bloom the next year after transplantation. This can also happen immediately after the procedure in the case of a spring transplant.

Is it possible to plant rhododendron in the sun

Inexperienced gardeners may be confused about the question of whether it is possible to plant a rhododendron in the sun. The ratio of rhododendron to the sun is determined by the individual preferences of the plant variety:

• dwarf varieties love sunlight, but a light shade should be present during the hottest part of the day;
• evergreen varieties prefer light partial shade. Direct sunlight can burn leaves;
• deciduous ones prefer open areas, so they can be planted in open flower beds and lawns.

Ideal place for a plant

Preparation of soil and containers for transplant

Before directly planting, you need to determine what kind of soil the rhododendron loves.First of all, there should be high acidity, the soil should be air-permeable, and moisture should not build up in it.

To please the rose bush, you need to prepare the substrate according to the recipe:

1. In equal shares, take heather soil, sour peat, humus and pine soil. Mix these ingredients.
2. Combine the resulting mixture in equal parts with the main earth from a garden pit or pot.
3. Add about 30 g of mineral fertilizers to the mixture.

Pit and soil for transplanting a bush

If you transplant rhododendron from one flowerpot to another, then the substrate can be used the same. The pot itself should be large in diameter, but not deep. The deep saucer shape is relevant due to the shallow root system.

Choice of neighbors and distance when transferring

The plant has a superficial root system that branches out in all directions. This is what must be taken into account when choosing neighbors for a flower. Plants with tap root systems are ideal. So there will be no competition between flowers for nutrients and moisture in the soil.

Next, you need to determine the optimal distance between the rhododendrons when planting:

• if rhododendrons are planted in a row, then between them you need to retreat 1.5-2 m;
• the distance from large bushes and trees should be 2-3 m;
• you need to move 7 m away from the building or brick fence;
• if the fence is wooden, then the distance from it to the rhododendron can be 1.2-1.5 m.

Plant neighbors

If you do not adhere to the recommendations when determining the distances between plants, then specimens may die.

How to transplant a rhododendron to a new location

When the time has already been determined when it is possible to transplant the rhododendron from one place to another, it is worth considering the entire algorithm of actions:

1. First, a planting pit for rhododendrons is formed. The depth should be 30-40 cm, and the width is about 0.5 m. If you are guided by the size of the earthen lump at the root, then the hole should be 2 times larger.
2. At the bottom of the pit, a 10 cm drainage layer must be formed. Fine gravel, crushed stone, fragments of red brick can be used as drainage.
3. We need to dig up a copy from the old place. Water the plant thoroughly, filling not only the area around the trunk, but also the space at a distance of 1 m from it. Then dig up the flower.
4. Attach the plant to a new hole, evaluating the principle of the location of the root system. Pour some soil into the pit and pour 6 liters of water into it.
5. Place the seedling and sprinkle with the substrate prepared in advance. Install the specimen so that the root collar is 2-3 cm above the ground.
6. Pour the soil around the seat from the watering can. It is impossible to tamp the soil, the earth must be well ventilated.
7. Lay a layer of pine needles or dry leaves on top of the loose soil. Mulching is a very important step for the normal development of a plant.

Transplant principle

Second transfer to a permanent place

After rooting the seedlings, you need to think about how the rhododendron will be transplanted to a new place, which will become permanent. It is better to do the final transplant in the spring from late April to mid-May.

How to transplant a rhododendron to another place that will become permanent:

• you need to find a place that will ideally fit the selected plant variety. It is necessary to take into account all the factors and nuances: neighbors, illumination;
• pit preparation is carried out six months before planting.As a substrate, the same mixture is used as for the first planting;
• the transplant procedure is completely identical to the standard rhododendron planting algorithm.

Second transfer

When the bush is determined for a permanent place, then more attention should be paid to the choice of the site. The rest of the stages are not so important for the normal development and growth of the flower.

How to feed the plant

In the process of preparing the substrate, some fertilizers are already being applied to the soil. But further feeding is not excluded because of this. If fertilized periodically, then the bush will show a good result in terms of growth and flowering.

Humus for feeding

Experienced growers recommend using special fertilizers for rhododendrons. But you can get by with simpler options. Ordinary humus is ideal. It is important to properly prepare organics before use: disinfect, sift.

Difficulties and problems in the transplant process

Usually difficulties and problems depend on what time of the year was chosen for transplanting. If the choice fell on the spring, then special attention should be paid to pests. At the time of the blooming of the leaves, insects may appear that will want to feast on the first greens.

After spring planting, you need to closely monitor the specimen all summer: do not flood or dry out the soil, protect the plant from wind, drafts and other adverse environmental influences. Autumn can be very cold or windy for a specimen that has just changed its place of growth. Sometimes you have to build a shelter for a bush.

Shelter for rhododendron

Different plant varieties suggest their own characteristics of transplanting and planting. This mainly concerns the choice of location. Other rules are the same for all varieties. You need to prepare a high-quality substrate and dig a hole, choose the perfect day for planting and carry out all the necessary manipulations so that the rose bush takes root and blooms in the near future.