If you take good care of your rhododendron and pay attention to a few special features, you will be rewarded with a magnificent sea of flowers. Depending on the variety, the flowering period lasts from March to June. Afterwards, a dead rhododendron looks rather sad. And the question arises: remove rhododendron flowers or not?
Should you remove wilted rhododendron flowers?
Rhododendron flowers should be removed to prevent the formation of seed pods, which weaken plant development. Carefully break off the wilted flowers without damaging the new buds underneath to save energy for future flower formation.
As much as the rhododendron fascinates with its abundance of flowers, the big work comes next. Because the flower stalks of the umbels don't just fall off. Now the hobby gardener has to intervene and remove the flower.
Remove rhododendron from contaminated sites
Even if the rhododendron only grows 10 cm to 20 cm annually, the withered parts must be removed. New shoots will form around the dead umbel by the end of July. Caution! Canceling must be done with great care and takes some time.
Removing rhododendron flowers – this is how it works
Removing the flowers is particularly recommended for large-flowered rhododendron hybrids and Yakashimanum hybrids. Otherwise, the formation of seed capsules weakens the development of the plants, especially in the first few years.
Breaking off wilted flowers prevents the seed heads from maturing. In this way, the plant saves the energy necessary for the subsequent flowering in spring. But be careful when breaking off the withered flowers! The bud for the new umbel sits directly below the previous flower. There is a risk of damaging these new flower buds.
Take the stem in your hand at the spot where the old umbel sits. Now press your fingers firmly around the stem so that it doesn't bend. Use the fingers of your other hand to break off the spent umbel. Important: The firm clamp handle prevents breakage in the wrong place. If the stem breaks at the wrong point, new flowers will not form the following spring.
Do not use secateurs, knives or scissors to avoid injuring the plant unnecessarily! The dry flower remains stick a bit. However, they are easy to break off because they are usually located above the emerging buds, which must not be damaged. Breaking out dead inflorescences is particularly advisable for young plants.
If you don't break out rhododendron flowers, significantly fewer flowers will be produced next year. The work is worth it for smaller to medium-sized rhododendrons or weakened plants. Larger plants, on the other hand, have enough reserves to supply both seed heads and flowers at the same time.
