RHODODENDRONS

Evening Star, Issue 22454, 26 September 1936, Page 23

RHODODENDRONS

CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, one of the Dominion’s greatest authorities on rhododendrons, gave an interesting address a l New Plymouth on this beautiful plant. In the course of his remarks Mr Seddon said New Zealand was blessed with a wonderful number of trees, and shrubs, which were indigenous to the country and were the envy of botanists the world over, but strangely enough in this country there were no rhododendrons until they were impo ted. There were none in Africa or South America; in Malay there were 60 varieties, in Austral! i. one, in Europe lour, m the Arctic regions two, in Siberia three, and in North America 17, while from the Caucasus through the Himalayas to Japan and in Northern China there were over 1,000 varieties. This para of the world was attracting more and more collectors every year. The rhododendron did not thrive in cernam parts of England and similarly in New Zealand While some varieties did not do well in one part of the country they were quite happy in another. So far as Taranaki was concerned, however, he did not think there was any rhododendron that could not be grown here provided it was given its proper situation. The West Coast of the South Island, too, was admirably adapted to the 1 successful growing of rhododendrons. The speaker said he w’as associated with Mr E Stead in hybridising and raining pew varieties on the West Coast for some years, and splendid results were obtained. f Mr Seddon spoke of the romance In collecting different species of ihododendrons, and paid a tribute, not only to the love of flowers on the part* of those engaged in the work, but to their courage also. In the forests species were found which grew to a height of 50ft, while in the scrub there were species which did not 'exceed 6in. It was, however, those species found on the tablelands that were used most effectively for establishing the rhododendron in the Homeland and New Zealand. The rhododendron was a most fickle plant, and this feature added to its attraction. Situation was most important. The rhododendron did net like draughts, and it did not want lime, but it liked plenty of rain. He referred to the success achieved by his sister. Mrs Knox Gilmer, of Wellington, in growing rhododendrons at the Hutt, and also mentioned the success of Sir Truby King, despite the fact rhat his trees were growing on a slope facing almost due south, because tie had taken the precaution to shelter them fro-- draughts. The roots of rhododendrons were surface growing, and must have something to protect them from the summer sun, and at the same time retain moisture. He was afraid that best results were sometimes not obtained owing to poor preparation of the soil. It shouldjbe dug to a depth of 3ft, mould to which had been added a littl» well-rotted cow manure should be used freely, the tree firmly planted, and then leaf mould on top of that again. Newly planted trees did not want water. Pine needles were an advantage, although many people thought they were poisonous to plants. Mixed with leaves from other trees and with an addition of cow manure they were very good for rhododrendrons. Certain rhododendrons thrived about swamps, but their roots must not be in the swamp, nor must the}' be in stagnant water. Rhododendrons must be sheltered from cutting winds, and it was also desirable to grow them among trees which would temper the heat of the sun. The native fuchsia was particularly suitable for this purpose, and also- oaks, birches, laburnums, cherries, and magnolias; but trees such as elms, chestnuts, and beeches should be avoided, because they would ultimately starve out the rhododendron. People often asked whether rhododendrons should be pruned. They were all the better for a certain amount of pruning, but not hard pruning. A certain amount of disbudding was also an advantage, and seed pods should be removed as soon as the trees had done flowering. Discussing the question of propagation, Mr Seddon said the easiest way to increase the number of one’s trees was by layers, but some of the dwarf Chinese varieties could also be grown from cuttings, and there was also grafts ing. Frosts were a serious setback to many species of and, therefore, should be guarded against. Mr Seddon pointed out that some species of rhododendron flowered much earlier than •'‘others. He had had to wait for 12 years to see one of his trees bloom for tlie first time, and some took even longer than that. It was advisable to seek the assistance of the nurseryman and get plants which would bloom in a very short time. Another question that was sometimes asked was whether the growing of rhododendrons was an expensive hobby. Probably the initial outlay on some of the better species might be considered high, but the trees, he reminded them, were not expensive .'once they were established in a happy situation. They did not have to apply anything except a leaf mould, and year after year they reaped the reward of its beautiful blooms. Again one was sometimes faced with the remark that rhododendrons flowered for such a short time. This had been refuted time after time. The earlier flowering varieties were flowering in June and then others were following on right through uhtil January. There was often controversy over the question of species versus hybrids, but personally lie preferred species. It had been written: “ Too much of form and foliage is sacrificed to mere flower content”, with the inevitable result of a rather stiff and prim monotony. Anyone can see this at the flower show, where row on row of stiff-necked, fat, and voluptuous hybrids are exhibited. They lack character.” ■ Mr Seddon touched on the question of confusion of names. To-day there wore thousands of names, he said—in fact, there were more names than rhododendrons. This question had been taken up by the Rhododendron Association in England, with the result that to-day a stud book was issued giving names and pedigrees, with the object of getting some uniformity and system in the growing of them. ]