Rhododendron augustinii |
Native Region: China
Zone Range: 7-10
Preferred Climate: Partial sun to dappled shade; well draining evenly moist soil.
Harvest Date: Thursday 16 December, 2010
Seed count: 25-30
Description:
In the partial sun to dappled shade, this lovely tall graceful upright shrub thrives and the flowers, which appear mid Spring, are an amazing electric violet/blue and almost glow in the shade. Very nice evergreen leaves. A real show stopper. Reaches 2 meters in 10 years and eventually reaching 3 meteres with equal spread for mature plants.
Notes:
Referred by many as one of the best blue rhododendrons. A sun tolerant species, but the blooms don't last as long under intense sun. Flower colour can vary depending upon soil fertility, soil pH, and sun exposure. All members of the Genus Rhododendron are shallow rooted and must have moisture retentive acidic humus rich soil. Never lime or overfeed. Prune immediately after blooms are spent as next year's flowering buds are formed over the summer on new growth. Another aquisition by the late Ted and Mary Grieg, renowned plants people. Worthy enough to establish in their personal garden.
Cultivation:
To conserve space and improve germination rates, use 10-15 cm deep nursery pots. Each pot is large enough for 50-100 seeds. Prepare two types of medium. Bottom layer: equal parts moist finely milled peat, coarse sand, and perlite. Germination layer: finely milled moist peat moss. Fill pot half way with the first and gently firm then add the second until 2 cm from the rim (allows growing space for seedlings). Gently tamp firm. Ensure medium is moist, place prepared pot in a tray of warm water. Your fingertip should tell you if the medium is well hydrated. Drain excess moisture. Evenly sow seed on the surface. DO NOT COVER SEED. A fine mist will settle seed on the germination surface. Stop misting when seed has full contact with medium. Maintain humid conditions via plastic cover. Seed need 20 C and darkness to germinate. Don’t let the germination layer dry out or become too soggy. Should germinate in 2-8 weeks. Provide light when seedlings emerge. Feed with dilute fertilizer via misting. Prick out and harden off when seedlings have 2-4 sets of true leaves.
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