Rhododendron schlippenbachii (Royal Azalea) seeds

Description

A graceful deciduous shrub with a natural mounded form. 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.

• Seed Count: 25-30
• Collection Date: Dec 2016
• Hardiness Zone: 4-8
• Height and Width: 2m x 2m
• Germination test type: hand sort

How to germinate Rhododendron schippenbachii seeds:

Rub peat moss through a 4mm screen to create fine milled peat moss. Add some 20/30 filter sand (10% content max) and some greensand (1 tbsp/gallon of medium). Moisten, blend well and fill pots/flats/WHY and tamp firm. Sprinkle seeds thinly on medium surface and mist well. Give gentle warmth (20-25C). Lightly mist daily. Provide strong indirect light. Clear plastic cover will help 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.