RHODODENDRONS

Evening Star, Issue 21784, 28 July 1934, Page 23

RHODODENDRONS

The addition of new varieties of rhododendrons, both by introductions from China, Tibet, and the result of hybridisation, has rendered the list of varieties in cultivation to-day nearly as confusing as it is with roses (says the Auckland ‘ Star ’)• However, propagation is not iso rapid or easy as with roses, and the consequence is that nujny of the newer sorts and hybrids are priced out of reach of the average pocket. There are, however, plenty of good sorts which can be purchased quite cheaply, am) every garden should have a few of these. tiven the old

•• ponticum,” that is the variety largely used as a “ game cover ” in England, is not to be despised, and is quite worthy of a place in any garden. The Hlmalayqh varieties, not quite so ■ Ijardy as the Asiatic softs, are hardy enough to be planted in most districts iiji this country,’ arid in addition, the flower? are' very sweet scented. For some unaccountable reason rhododendrons have got the character of being difficult to, grow, for why they bqve it is difficult to say. Certainly they have some peculiarities, raogt of the species will not do on limestone or tolerate dusting with lime ; some are algo slow growers, but beyond this there is ho reason why they should not be as freely planted as the, rose. The chief fault found with them is that they need peat, and they got this simply because some persobs who thought they knew all about soils knew of two kinds only, those with lime and peat. Rhododendrons no more want peat than they do lime—that is, the majority, and anyway, the sorts that are likely to be planted i>y all but the specialist'; A good tnrfv loam will suit them. The addition of a top-dressing of old leaves in sprilv, with an occasional scattering of bonedust and a little sulphate of ammonia when they start growing, will give them all they want. The rhododendron will do with shade or without it. -With bur hob dry summers, however, they

Jo suiter ivjth red spider and thrips, and the majority, if riot all, of the half-dead. rusty-leaved, dwindling specimens seen are due to these pestp and not to the soil or “ don’t do ” complex. A , spraying with white oil in late winter or early spring, about now is a good time, will clean them Up. hut if tile pest lias a good hold and has been in possession long another spraying about Jamuirv. when the now foliage has hardened somewhat, "ill cheek them, hi most eases the spraying will not be necessary every year, but even if it is, it does not mean a great deal of work, aud the plants arc worth it. The rhododendron makes a piass of fibrous roots close to the surface, and although drainage is necessary a deep soil is not essential if a good thick mulching of old (eaves is given every spring. To prevent these leaves front blowing away chop up a few spadefuls of turf and scatter Off top. You call plant them now, arid if the plants are set with flower buds yon can enjoy a display of bloom in the corning spring or summer.