EFFECTS OF CONTINUOUS AND PERIODIC WATER STRESS ON COLD HARDINESS OF RHODODENDRON CULTIVARS

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether water deficit affects cold hardiness of rhododendron ‘Catawbiense Boursault’, ‘Lee’s Dark Purple’, ‘Prinz Karneval’ and ‘Old Port’ shrubs. Plants were grown in unheated greenhouse and for 14 weeks from June to mid-September were subjected to six irrigation treatments. In the end of September shrubs were left in an unheated greenhouse or planted into the ground and at the beginning of each month from December to March freezing tolerance tests were performed. The results showed that in all rhododendron cultivars the highest cold hardiness was noted in January and February, lower in March but the lowest in December. Application of four-week water deficit period during summer especially between the first and the second vegetative growth may improve the frost resistance of Rhododendron shrubs.