Rhododendron Olga

Plant the 'Olga' Rhododendron in a sunny or semi-shady position, protected from cold and drying winds, in moist, humus-rich and light soil with an acidic tendency. Like all plants that prefer acid soil, it does not tolerate alkaline or heavy soils that become waterlogged in winter. Dig a hole with a volume three times larger than the pot. Soak the root ball in non-alkaline water and plant the bush at the level of the collar, in a mixture composed of leaf compost, gravel or pumice, and loam. Water generously and keep the soil moist in summer. Azaleas and Rhododendrons have a shallow root system, which makes them susceptible to long periods of drought. Therefore, it is advisable to enrich the soil with humus and provide abundant watering during dry periods. Additionally, their root system is not very strong, so it is essential to lighten heavy soils with draining materials (gravel, pumice, clay pellets) during planting. Apply a mulch of shredded pine bark around the base of the bush every spring to maintain soil moisture and acidic pH. Maintenance involves removing faded flowers in summer and pruning dead branches. Azaleas and Rhododendrons can sometimes be attacked by weevils that eat the edges of leaves and rootlets, as well as by the notorious "rhododendron beetle," which rarely causes significant damage. Yellowing of leaves (chlorosis) in Rhododendrons indicates poor assimilation of iron from the soil and can lead to premature plant death. While limestone is often the cause, poorly drained soil or deeply planted root balls can also explain this phenomenon.