Rhododendron 'JG009' |
Native Region: Asia
Zone Range: 6-9
Preferred Climate: Semi sun; well draining humus rich evenly moist acidic soil.
Harvest Date: Monday 25 January, 2010
Seed count: 30-40
Description:
An absolutely stunning rhododendron with lovely smooth blue-green elongated foliage and rugged rusty brown bark. Only blooms once every two years but what a show! Foliage almost disappears behind the deep pink trumpet like flower clusters. Heavy producing nectaries bring in the pollinators from near and far. Flowers are big enough for you to stick a finger in and sample the sweetness. A very tall plant to 5 meters or more with equal spread.
Notes:
Possible hybrid. Faintly fragrant. Another selection from Ted and Mary Grieg.
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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