2008 Spring Revival

It seems to be time to try and resurrect some activity in the Atlantic Rhodo Seed Growers.

We are in the throes of the 2008 Seed Exchange, and as February draws to a close will soon be sending off seeds to the "faithful".

To this date we have just over 500 packages of seed ordered by over 30 people.

Not bad , considering this years' list was a bit scanty.....although still interesting. I will be packaging up seed, and sending out orders during the next week.

Magnolia seed will be sent if the weather seems to be reasonably mild, otherwise I will delay those until a bit milder days.

I expect there will be some "online" orders as the days go on. The Exchange will receive orders until April30, 2008.

Anyone ordering from this date onward would be well advised to check the online list for info regarding unavailable seed lots. That is also where the additions to the list from Wolfgang Reich are listed.

I have tried to update the list as certain lots become scanty.

The all-time favourite this year seems to be the Meconopsis betonicifolia(#125), donated by Ken Shannik. Everyone loves a challenge!

There has also been quite an interest in the Stewartia(#128).

We are seeing a good cross-section of interest in all seed categories. It is nice to see continued interest in the native azalea species.

Bruce Clyburn's cross of R. catawbiense "U Paim" x rex(#45) is also generating quite a lot of interest. I think there are still a few seeds of that left.

The various "yak" crosses(#'s 85-91) on the list have been well subscribed to as well.

I hope to be able to persuade some more of you growers to add your "2 cent's worth" to this blog.

more Yak crosses

Here is a bit more on the "Pettipas" yak seedling saga.
An old pic of a seedling from RSCAR94#11 yak 'Coral Velvet', OP

These seedlings were never quite as nice as the later 'Atroflo' cross.
We are hoping to track down others who may have plants grown from those 1998 seeds.

Taking yak crosses to the next level

I have been thinking about what we can do to improve on the existing yak hybrids. The existing hybrids are just not hardy enough for NS and almost all fade out too much.

What we need are plants with indumentum, the compact form of yak, with yak's hardiness and flowers that do not fade out.

Many of the existing hybrids seem to be first generation F1 crosses. I believe the next step is to self the some of the beter crosses and grow on any with indumentum and see what we get.

Somone must have already tried this. What were the results?

Thoughts on this anyone???

Bob P

RSCAR 1990 #100 - Blue Peter x Calsap

Donated by B. Johnson, Scarborough, Ont.

This particular sibling is an improvement over 'Blue Peter' which has a propensity to winter burn its leaves here. Likely a trait inherited from R. ponticum bloodlines. Also 'Blue Peter' develops a prostrate carriage under repeated snow loading. This rhododendron shows neither negative. Used as a seed parent for improved, hardier 'purples'

Bruce Clyburn

New Waterford, N.S.

RSCAR 1990 #105 – Finlandia x Kimberly

Donated by B. Wilkins, Toronto, Ont.

A number of plants from this cross were faxsimiles of R. williamsianum even better 'knock-offs' than Grand Pre. Sadly all proved tender for this area except this selection aka 'Red Ribbons'. It blooms reliably each spring for the past 10 years. The nick name is because of the arresting scarlet leaf bracts that take over with a burst of colour after flowering.

Many glistening light pink flowers of heavy substance, from pink buds. Spherical trusses of 12. Leaves small, convex, down-turned; held 3 years. Rounded plant, branched well.

A number of cuttings were distributed at a 1998 RSCAR Fall meeting.

Bruce Clyburn

New Waterford

RSCAR 1990 #112 – Lodestar x BigO

Donated by B. Johnson, Scarborough, Ont.

The best sibling from this cross produced a plant with a truss that is a dead-ringer for 'Calsap'. The bonus is a nice compact habit while 'Calsap' can be leggy here even in full sun.

Bruce Clyburn

New Waterford, N.S.

RSCAR 1990 #115 – wardi x Everestianum

Donated by R. Steele, Bayport, N.S.

Of course this was expected to deliver a truss with a substantial amount of yellow but didn't. Still a nice addition with rather clean, shiny leaves. Might be 1-2 siblings that haven't flowered yet. A good deep plum eye, when I see it I think of another hybrid 'Peeping Tom' (wardi x Mrs. furnival) - no trace of yellow either.

Bruce Clyburn

New Waterford, NS