ARHS Seed Exchange soon

[Sharon Bryson]

The Atlantic Rhododendron & Horticultural Soc. 2010 Seed Exchange will be open to the public as of March1, 2010.
The list and ordering info are on our website.
Updates as to availability will be added in the next few days.

http://www.willowgarden.net/2010_ARHS_SeedExchange/ARHS_2010SeedList_links.htm

[Lulu]

Impressive list, Sharon! Will print it out, to have a better look!

What would a rough time frame estimate be, from seed to bloom on rhodies or azeala?

Thanks for posting it!

[Sharon Bryson]

Hi Lulu:
Azaleas typically grow to blooming size faster than most rhodies. ~3 years under good conditions.
Some of the semi-deciduous rhodies like R. mucronulatum will also bloom at a young age.
Other rhodies can be anywhere from 4 -10 years.
Commercial producers of rhodies can push the time frame quite a lot by using cuttings and/or tissue culture plants; plus greenhouse conditions!

[Smitty]

very impressive list Sharon.
...which would you recommend for life on the prairies?? or maybe starting from seed would give all a fighting chance??

[Lulu]

Thanks, Sharon, that's better than what I had been thinking! Not really patient when it comes to waiting for years to see a bloom! Used up all my patience with my brugs! Definitely worth a try, then!

[Sharon Bryson]

which would you recommend for life on the prairies??

Life on the prairies is a challenge for most rhodies and azaleas.

The closest I would guess would be from some of the Finnish hybrids. Our "home" list has a couple of examples.
http://www.willowgarden.net/page2/2009_SavedSeeds.html

Haaga & Peter Tigerstedt




The azaleas from the Northern Lights series should have some built in hardiness.

They all would need good protection though.

[Eeyore]

Northscaping has some info on the Northern Light Series

http://www.northscaping.com/InfoZone/IS ... 0086.shtml

Hmmm, going have to look at getting one this year...... have to find a spot for one.