Rhododendron schlippenbachii |
Native Region: Korea/Manchuria
Zone Range: 4-8
Preferred Climate: Semi sun; humus rich acidic soil; protected non windy sites.
Harvest Date: Friday 10 December, 2010
Seed count: 30-40
Description:
A graceful thin limbed deciduous shrub with a natural mounded form rarely exceeding 2 meters in height and spread. In late April/early May, delicate white flowers blushed with shell pink appear at the branch tips perfuming the air with its fragrance. Whorls of lovely obovate leaves emerge after flower drop. Wonderful autumn colours of scarlet, deep red, orange, and golden yellow. Arnold Arboretum notes that this rhodo is more tolerant of 'alkaline' soils than most of its kin, so it will probably do well in a soil pH of 7 or growing near concrete foundations.
Notes:
Considered by many rhodo-philes as a must have species for any open woodland or shady garden setting. Suffers from leaf scorch in full sun. Because of its early flowering, a protected site is preferred to prevent late frosts from marring the blooms. Drought tolerant when established, but a douse of supplimental water during extreme summer drought should given to keep plant happy.
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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