Rhododendron groenlandicum seeds (Labrador Tea)

Description

In June, brilliant white masses of flowers almost clothe this small twiggy shrubby evergreen species rarely exceeds 100 cm in height. The unique lance shaped leathery leaves have rolled edges where the leaf margins are tucked into the soft white dense fuzz of the underside. The highly aromatic leaves (fresh or dried) were boiled as a tea substitute. Our selection comes from the sunny higher elevation bog/peat lands (nutrient poor wet organic soils) of the Central Coast of British Columbia and Haida Gwaii.  Formerly known as Ledum groenlandicum.  I love its scent being, to my nose, a bend of rosemary and cinnamon/sassafras.

• Seed Count: 25-30
• Collection Date: Oct 2023
• Hardiness Zone: 3-8
• Height and Width: 1m x 1m
• Germination test type: hand sort
• Family: Ericaceae

How to germinate Rhododendron groenlandicum seeds:

Rub peat moss through a 4mm screen to create fine lump free milled peat moss. Add 20/30 filter sand (10% content max) and greensand at 1 tbsp/gallon of medium). Moisten, blend well and fill pots/flats/WHT, tamp firm. Sprinkle seeds thinly on medium surface. Mist well. Give gentle warmth (20-25C). Lightly mist daily. Provide strong indirect light. Clear plastic cover helps maintain humidity and enhance germination /seedling survival by not letting medium desiccate. Seeds should germinate in 10 days. Never let seedlings nor medium dry out nor over water.  Prick out when large enough to handle into individual pots and grow on. Shallow rooted. Be warned seedlings have very fine hair like roots and can damage easily. Have pots ready to receive when transplanting to avoid roots from drying out.