Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Specific Families and Genera => Rhododendron and other Ericaceae => Topic started by: Frans IJsselstijn on May 01, 2010, 12:38:24 PM

Title: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Frans IJsselstijn on May 01, 2010, 12:38:24 PM
Hello everybody

In what kind of soil grows Rhodothamnus chamaecistus
Thanks for the answers

Frans
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on May 01, 2010, 12:59:35 PM
Franz  - Here it grows in a trough in acid soil with granite grit.  I would bet in the wild it grows around limestone, maybe in thin acid soil above limestone just to confuse us as do many rhododendrons.

johnw
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 03, 2010, 12:55:30 AM
I have half a dozen tiny seedlings from last year's seed exchange. I expect they'll have to be pot or trough plants too as it's far too dry for them in the great outdoors. We had about 25mm of rain here during the last week but when I went to plant bulbs on Thursday, only the top cm of soil was damp. I couldn't believe it. If we have 2.5 cms of rain how can it not penetrate more than 1 cm? It was a little better where I had used "Wettasoil" on some recently planted things.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: ichristie on May 03, 2010, 07:58:35 AM
 Hi, I grow this plant on a raised bed which ihas a good well drained compost with some fine bark amongst it and I also have a plant in a raised peat bed both flower well, I post a picture, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on May 03, 2010, 12:16:14 PM
Wonderful red bits on that Rhodothamnus Ian.

I should have said acid mix instead of acid soil.  The mix is a bit of soil, peat and bark plus plent of granite grit. Sharp drainage seems to be essential.  However mine is never as lusty looking as Ian's.

johnw
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 05, 2011, 06:28:08 PM
Tell how the seeds germinate better hodothamnus chamaecistus - found two different council. In the first case - without stratification for 13-18 ° C in the second - with setting the snow. Which is better?
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on February 05, 2011, 07:36:08 PM
Natalia - Most Ericaceae sprout in three weeks when surface sown at 20c.  Mbest to put the pot in a plastic bag in light but not direct sunlight. Move to cooler conditions when sprouted as these high alpine ones don't like warm room conditions especially at night.  Rhodothamnus is certainly one of the crankier subjects but well worth every effort.

johnw
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 06, 2011, 01:49:40 AM
I said back in May (above) that I had half a dozen tiny seedlings. I STILL have half a dozen tiny seedlings. They've barely grown at all since then. ??? I might try watering them with something. What?
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on February 06, 2011, 02:33:19 AM
I said back in May (above) that I had half a dozen tiny seedlings. I STILL have half a dozen tiny seedlings. They've barely grown at all since then. ??? I might try watering them with something. What?

Lesley - Slow is okay as long as alive, alive is rare.  Whatever - say 20-20-20 or the like 1/4 or less strength.

johnw
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 06, 2011, 04:15:45 AM
Thanks John, I'll try that. Yes, the fact that they're still with me has somewhat surprised me, after all this time. We can get a product called Plantmate and another called Rootmate, both based on Trichoderma fungus species. The root one is wonderful for getting little plants to catch into their new places so I might try the plant one on the Rhodothamnus. It's supposed to boost both leaf and root growth in new plantings. They look like fine breakfast cereal and can be watered on or sprinkled in the hole when planting. Worked a treat with tiny seedlings of various quite tricky things into my trough crevices and also when I planted my Diapensia in one trough it never turned a hair but has put on nice new growth and is beginning to drip (slowly) down the shady side.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on February 06, 2011, 03:31:03 PM
Lesley - I just occurred to me that you are approaching autumn.  You wouldn't want to fertilize now would you? Or do you still have plenty of time for another flush and still have time to harden them off?  In any case the Trichoderma  sounds like a good idea given your impressive Diapensia success.

johnw
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 06, 2011, 10:05:24 PM
The Diapensia is successful only to the extent it is growing well. It hasn't flowered yet in maybe 5 or 6 years. We may not be cold enough.

I HOPE autumn isn't approarching just yet, we've really had only half a dozen days of summer, but yes, it IS on the way. We had 60mm of rain last night and some trees are getting a reddish tinge. The Sorbus species are all in good fruit and it's nippy outside in the mornings, especially this morning, even though yesterday we hit 40degC here. My little V. praestans (12) are getting a red shading too. Are they deciduous? They're about 5cms across now.

You're probably right about fertilizing. I'll water on some Trichoderma and hope things are OK until the spring.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 07, 2011, 05:00:02 PM
 John, I thank!! I am familiar with the sowing of Ericaceae, for many years cultivated rhododendrons from seed. But with crops Rhodothamnus chamaecistus I have somehow failed. In past years, sowed the seeds of two Czech collectors - the result - zero.:(
 This year again, sow - I would hope that germinate.

Lesley, I read about your experience, but did not realize at any temperature was sowing to germination. They were on the street or at +20?
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on February 07, 2011, 05:05:27 PM
Natalia - Some of the more difficult very high-altitude lepidote species I sow on sterlized coarse peat covered with grit, then sprinkle the seed on top and mist heavily so they wash in between the grit. You could then put outside in a frame and bring indoors a couple of months later.  This will may work with Rhodothamnus.  

I will ask a friend in England re: Rhodothamnus as he has grown many Rhodothamnus and even crossed it with Phyllodoce = Phyllothamnus.

It may take awhile as he has not internet connection.

johnw  - +5c and sunny
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 07, 2011, 05:52:05 PM
John, I'll wait with interest.
 While planted on peat sand three pots, one left at +20, the other exposed in the street, and the third seed handled gibberellins and I will keep it at 0 - +10 ° C:)
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Maggi Young on February 07, 2011, 06:59:43 PM

 While planted on peat sand three pots, one left at +20, the other exposed in the street, and the third seed handled gibberellins and I will keep it at 0 - +10 ° C:)
well Natalia, you are certainly making every effort to make these seeds happy.... good luck!

 Franz Hadcek has a great photo of this plant growing in a trough in his Vienna garden : http://www.franz-alpines.org/
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 07, 2011, 07:18:42 PM
Maggi, thank you for your good wishes.:)
 It is these photos, like Franz Hadacek and move on Rhodothamnus growing from seed:)
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: hadacekf on February 07, 2011, 07:37:18 PM
Easiest from seed, fresh if possible. It may take a long time to germinate, and as it is slow-growing it may even be two years before it is large enough to handle.
I always lost my seedlings after two years. My plant was collected as a seedling before 30 years.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on February 07, 2011, 07:56:48 PM
My little V. praestans (12) are getting a red shading too. Are they deciduous? They're about 5cms across now.

Lesley - V. praestans is completely deciduous here.  Last year - 2010 - it flowered twice and fruited twice.  It can be quite thuggish in peaty soil though never more than 7cm tall.  Once you get it going you can easily just yank a piece out, pot it up and give to friends; few if any fail. Brilliant autumn colour in full sun.

I have never been able to keep a seed grown Diapensia purpurea alive past the speck of dust phase - a phase that lasts quite some time.  Do tell us how.

johnw
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on February 07, 2011, 08:02:16 PM
Easiest from seed, fresh if possible. It may take a long time to germinate, and as it is slow-growing it may even be two years before it is large enough to handle.
I always lost my seedlings after two years. My plant was collected as a seedling before 30 years.

Franz - Have you tried cuttings?  I think Baldassare at Siskyou Rare Plants told us to take them when very soft.  My plant came from him & grows in a trough.   It does not like snowless cold winters and is by no means not up to your standards!  A few flowers every year but never covered in them.

johnw
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Maggi Young on February 07, 2011, 08:36:14 PM
I remember John Good's ( Wales)  lovely plant of Rhodothamnus chamaecistus  which won the medals at the show at the Alpines International Conference in Warwick in 1991... a beauty.
In Scotland Lyn Bezzant counselled that she cut hers up with a bread knife every ten years or so to split it up.... mine has never  grown large enough to even tempt me to try this!  :o
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 07, 2011, 08:59:08 PM
I had in mind that my Rhodothamnus seed was from SRGC but having just looked at the label (if all else fails read the instructions...) I see it came from Thomas Huber who shares seed he has been given so I think it may well be from either Franz himself or possibly the late Hans Hoeller.

The Diapensia came as a well established plant from a local (Christchurch) source, someone who produces some very fine species at a stall at NZAGS annual Sept show. It must have been maybe 5 years ago and it has been in my quite shaded tunnel ever since but recently I took the Diapensia by the horns and planted it outside in the corner of a trough which gets about half a day's shade and which, for now at least, I'm covering from the afternoon sun until the roots get well down. There are ramondas and small, choice primulas in the same trough and my most treasured frit, 2 bulbs. So I've not tried it from seed. Actually, I did get seed from AGS way back but nothing ever germinated. It had been collected in Japan I think.

Thought I'd better produce some proof of the pudding.

First the Diapensia then two of the Rhodothamnus. There are 7 seedlings, 3, 2 and 2 and possibly an 8th but not sure, might be something else. They are about 2mm wide and 3mm high.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 08, 2011, 07:13:12 AM
Franz, unfortunately I do not know whether or not fresh seeds. I got them only in January ... :(
 Have you lost your seedlings because of transplantation or after winter?

 Maggi, very interesting! But to me such a radical way is still very far :)

Lesley - Rhodothamnus plants are small, but happy life:) Czech collectors write that for the development of Rhodothamnus requires acid soils with limestone bottom.

 I join request John - tell, how it was possible to grow up Diapensia purpurea?
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on February 08, 2011, 12:15:58 PM
Czech collectors write that for the development of Rhodothamnus requires acid soils with limestone bottom.

Natalia - Many Rhododendron species grow in just such acid soil above limestone but none require anything but acid soil.  Perhaps the underlying limestone suggest excellent drainage beneath.  ??? ???  R. schlippenbachii is the only species I can think of that likes a bit of lime to snap it out of slow growth, sometime a bit for ferrugineum & hirsutum too. So.....

Lesley - I have never seen such long shoots on a Diapensia lapponica, here it barely manages 1/4 inch. Japanese form? Any shots of it before it flushed?

johnw - +2c
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 08, 2011, 12:48:52 PM
John, there are other kinds of rhododendrons, which need the presence of calcium in acidic soils. In Siberia - Rhododendron adamsii - grows only on the calcium-rocks, mainly limestone.

Yes, rhododendrons require acid soil, but do not confuse the soil pH and calcium content in it, it's different.

 But the Czech Republic on the recommendation alpinaristov Rhodothamnus chamaecistus - you probably know Rock Garden Plants Database - http://www.kadel.cz/flora/d/kvCard.asp-Id=2121.tm
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: ian mcenery on February 08, 2011, 01:06:30 PM
Natalia here is a picture of Rhodothamnus growing in the dolomites. Strange as it grows both in the scree in full sun as well on north facing sites. This one was south west facing on a scree that must have had moisture running underneath as it was quite hot. I grow it in a trough and it is now about 25cm in diameter but doesn't manage to flower like Franz's. I am trying to germinate seed in dried sphagnum moss and we will see. With Lesley's success it seems many methods will work providing the right level of moisture can be provided at the right time
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: ian mcenery on February 08, 2011, 01:10:02 PM
John I have been growing Diapensia lapponica for about 4 years now and it increases steadily but does not flower. How do you manage yours? Mine is indirect light (not shady) but very cool. Does it need sun it must get more summer light than I can provide
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 08, 2011, 02:20:22 PM
Ian, thanks for photo Rhodothamnus in its habitat.
 I will necessarily consider that it the lover of dolomitic taluses.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on February 08, 2011, 03:13:52 PM
Natalia - Thanks for the tip on adamsii.  The soils on our coast are sometimes very acidic so not unusual for us to have to add lime to release nitrogen and add a bit of locked up calcium and magnesium too. Magnesium deficiency is especially common, friends inland with better soils have no such problems. Might be time to give my Rhodothamnus a pinch. It is quite amazing how quickly a slow schlippenbachii reacts to a handful of bonemeal thrown its way.

Have you tried your native Rhododendron fragrans?  I had several seedlings from either Halda's or Mrs. Berkutenko's seedlists. They were extremely slow-growing. Unfortunately I put them outdoors in full sun with a shade screen over them, several days later I took the screen off, went indoors and forgot to replace the shade. They incinerated and have never seen seed offered since.

Ian - I do basically nothing but water the Diapensias, especially important when the humidity drops in August/September. Rarely they might get an accidental splash of water soluble. The root system is in heavy soil at the bottom of the trough but the necks of the Diapensias are mainly in gravel, this is as I saw them growing in Newfoundland. One year I got a flower every month of the year save January/February. Only one year did 2-3 flowers open simultaneously, seed pods usually abort.

johnw
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 08, 2011, 04:07:08 PM
  John, I tried to sow the seeds of Rh.adamsii Berkutenko and seeds from another source (collected in expedition). Unfortunately, in both cases, seeds were old: in the first case - has ascended a zero, in the second - has sprouted two seeds, but throw off a skin they could not.  :(
 This year, sowed the seeds obtained from the Czech collectors - hopefully germinate, 1-2 began to sprout.

 If also it does not turn out - it is necessary to go to Sayan mountains and to collect seeds.  :)

I regret for your loss - with Rh.adamsii just as with Rh. redowskianum - it is very difficult.

And a little about Diapensia lapponica - that's how she likes to grow in our Hibiny.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: ian mcenery on February 08, 2011, 04:13:56 PM


And a little about Diapensia lapponica - that's how she likes to grow in our Hibiny.


No wonder I find it difficult  :(
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on February 08, 2011, 05:06:34 PM

I regret for your loss - with Rh.adamsii just as with Rh. redowskianum - it is very difficult.

Natalia - Maybe we should have these moved to the Rhododendron thread.

Funny you should mention redowskianum. It is a little stinker and one of the reasons I have so little hair. I had a nice little plant growing well. One April day when the ground was still frozen the temperature went to 15c+. The redowskianum leafed out and then died then died days later.  It has no common sense in our climate, it assume where it grows summer comes the day after the snow is gone.  ??? ??? ???  I would dearly lovely to grow this plant that looks like a swarm of butterflies.  Someone told me they had a white-flowered form... :o, I think it was the late Bengt Kihlman in Norway.

johnw - 0c / schneeflöcken
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Hoy on February 08, 2011, 05:55:36 PM
John I have been growing Diapensia lapponica for about 4 years now and it increases steadily but does not flower. How do you manage yours? Mine is indirect light (not shady) but very cool. Does it need sun it must get more summer light than I can provide
I haven't grown Diapensia lapponica in the garden but in the wild you always find them on the summits with no shade at all. I would say yours get to little sun
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 08, 2011, 06:14:28 PM
John, I'm more lucky with rhododendron Redovskogo. In the garden hibernates two plants from seeds Berkutenko. BUT ... They were planted in 2006, over the past 5 years, one grew to the size of 2х1cm, and the second 1x1 cm. Till this hot summer there were two more сеянца, but in a heat were lost...
Belotsvetkovuyu form not seen in the mountains say occurs, but it should go to the North and east of Lake Baikal. But there is a rare plant.Here are photos of the rhododendron:
http://nature.baikal.ru/phs/ph.shtml?id=15676
http://nature.baikal.ru/phs/ph.shtml?id=30920
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: ian mcenery on February 08, 2011, 06:40:49 PM
John I have been growing Diapensia lapponica for about 4 years now and it increases steadily but does not flower. How do you manage yours? Mine is indirect light (not shady) but very cool. Does it need sun it must get more summer light than I can provide
I haven't grown Diapensia lapponica in the garden but in the wild you always find them on the summits with no shade at all. I would say yours get to little sun

Trond the problem with this is that more sun equals more heat. It is a dilemma  :-\
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Hoy on February 08, 2011, 07:06:19 PM
Ian, I think they tolerate a lot of heat if the air is not stagnant and the soil doesn't dry out completely. The temp can sometimes be rather high at the ground level where they grow with intense unblocked solar radiation 8)
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: ian mcenery on February 08, 2011, 07:33:51 PM
Ian, I think they tolerate a lot of heat if the air is not stagnant and the soil doesn't dry out completely. The temp can sometimes be rather high at the ground level where they grow with intense unblocked solar radiation 8)

Maybe I should consider moving it but beware if it dies I will blame you ;D ;D
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 08, 2011, 07:45:10 PM
John, sorry, so other pics of my Diapensia. I was waiting until it flowers ;D
I'm interested to see Natalia's pictures which say the D. lapponica is made up of little rosette growths. Mine is not, at all, as you see in my own pic. Why is this? I'm thinking I might take a couple of cuttings from that longish growth.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Hoy on February 08, 2011, 08:01:38 PM
Ian, I think they tolerate a lot of heat if the air is not stagnant and the soil doesn't dry out completely. The temp can sometimes be rather high at the ground level where they grow with intense unblocked solar radiation 8)

Maybe I should consider moving it but beware if it dies I will blame you ;D ;D

If it grows in a pot you can move it back and forth ;) at least twice a year :D

PS: Here's what it looks like in Norway:
http://www.kristvi.net/flora/F/fjellpryd.htm
http://www.rolv.no/bilder/galleri/fjellplanter/diap_lap.htm
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on February 08, 2011, 08:11:12 PM
Lesley - Here is a previously posted shot of my D. lapponica from last December.  The long shoots on yours is puzzling and hard to tell what the bun underneath looks like. I believe there is a prostrate form in Newfoundland growing on Cape St. Mary's but I can't imagine it would ever flush so vigorously.

Ian - Hoy & Natalia are correct, they grow in full sun with constant wind and little heat in Newfoundland.  If the temperature gets over 26c with sun & low humidity here the 60% shade cloth gets extended. Try that out.

Natalia - Well done with that little elf R. redowskianum. What a charmer, like a civilized camtschaticum! I am tempted to try it again, maybe as it ages it will have more sense and slow down. Many thanks for the pix of it as I have never seen the Russian ones, just those from NE China in Lancaster's book. This, ludlowii and lowndesii are the Holy Terrors of the Rhododendron World.

johnw
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 08, 2011, 08:45:24 PM
As I recall, mine was just the centre part when I bought it, and the longer shoots are growth since then, possibly as a result of living in its original small pot, in my totally shaded tunnel house. It has been kept reasonably moist but I have also lost plants in the same area when I thought there had been good rain but it hadn't penetrated properly and things got too dry, primulas in particular. Because of the non-rosette growth I'm almost wondering now if it's something else altogether. I'll try to find out from the source, what the plant source was in the first place. May not be successful though.

Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Hoy on February 08, 2011, 08:53:39 PM
As I recall, mine was just the centre part when I bought it, and the longer shoots are growth since then, possibly as a result of living in its original small pot, in my totally shaded tunnel house. It has been kept reasonably moist but I have also lost plants in the same area when I thought there had been good rain but it hadn't penetrated properly and things got too dry, primulas in particular. Because of the non-rosette growth I'm almost wondering now if it's something else altogether. I'll try to find out from the source, what the plant source was in the first place. May not be successful though.


Lesley,
Your plant can be a Diapensia grown under too shady conditions. They need high levels of UV to grow like the plants I find in the mountains here. Take a look at the leaves of the plant in the last picture in the second link I provided.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 08, 2011, 09:51:20 PM
Thanks for that note Hoy. You are right that mine has had (total) shade because I was so frightened of losing it. I suspect that even in the southern part of NZ our summer climate is very different from yours, and we have killing hot, dry north west winds that are fatal to many small ericaceous or primulaceous or gesneriaceous plants and I was afraid to let my Diapensia be exposed to them. Now it is outside it gets some sun and I can arrange for it to get more, while keeping it well moistened. It will be a balancing act.

So far as the (apparently) etoliated stems are concerned, I knew a nurserywoman, now deceased, who put various small plants such as Salix reticulata and S. x Boydii, very small tight rhodos, phyllodaces et al, into heavy shade and with a lot of water, with the intention of etoliating them, as she reackoned the resultant cutting material was easier to handle and being softer, rooted more quickly. Maybe this will be the case here too.

The pictures in your links are really beautiful. Something to haunt my dreams. :)
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: ian mcenery on February 08, 2011, 11:47:54 PM


Ian - Hoy & Natalia are correct, they grow in full sun with constant wind and little heat in Newfoundland.  If the temperature gets over 26c with sun & low humidity here the 60% shade cloth gets extended. Try that out.

.

johnw
Ian, I think they tolerate a lot of heat if the air is not stagnant and the soil doesn't dry out completely. The temp can sometimes be rather high at the ground level where they grow with intense unblocked solar radiation 8)

Maybe I should consider moving it but beware if it dies I will blame you ;D ;D

If it grows in a pot you can move it back and forth ;) at least twice a year :D

PS: Here's what it looks like in Norway:
http://www.kristvi.net/flora/F/fjellpryd.htm
http://www.rolv.no/bilder/galleri/fjellplanter/diap_lap.htm

Thanks I will have to look for a suitable spot- not made easy by my habit of acquiring more plants ::)
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: hadacekf on February 09, 2011, 07:52:05 PM
Natalia,
I always lost my seedlings of Rhodothamnus chamaecistus in the summer in the second year. Cuttings did not make roots.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 09, 2011, 08:11:23 PM
Franz, I realized that you have not succeeded in growing mature plants.
 But I still try to - suddenly be able to find what they need for life and development:)
 Seeds already in the ground, I hope that the seeds germinate....
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Otto Fauser on February 11, 2011, 04:56:35 AM
Natalia,
I always lost my seedlings of Rhodothamnus chamaecistus in the summer in the second year. Cuttings did not make roots.

Franz , I get good results striking cuttings in a mixture of peatmoss and perlite under mist .

         otto.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 11, 2011, 07:17:54 AM
Otto, thanks for the reply:)
 Do you use in propagation by cuttings heating of the substrate below?
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Otto Fauser on February 14, 2011, 06:30:08 AM
Otto, thanks for the reply:)
 Do you use in propagation by cuttings heating of the substrate below?

Natalia , I did not find Bottom heat helpful in rooting those cuttings.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 14, 2011, 07:32:26 AM
Otto, thanks!
 You stimulated formation of roots by preparations - such as Indole Butyric Acid?
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: hadacekf on February 14, 2011, 05:16:32 PM

I always lost my seedlings of Rhodothamnus chamaecistus in the summer in the second year. Cuttings did not make roots.
[/quote]

Franz , I get good results striking cuttings in a mixture of peatmoss and perlite under mist .

Otto
I will try it, thanks.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on February 20, 2011, 11:07:40 AM
I have great joy - there was a root from a single seed Rhodothamnus - from seed treated with gibberellin acid and kept at 20C. :D
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on October 04, 2011, 10:39:28 AM
Here are the seedlings Rhodothamnus chamaecistus.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on October 04, 2011, 10:45:08 AM
Sorry... The second attempt to attach a photo...
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: johnw on October 04, 2011, 11:21:35 AM
Well done Natalia.  Amazingly hairy little fellows.

My Rhodothamnus is just ready to open a flower.  I also have a Menzesia almost in full flower.  Things are upside down this year.

johnw    - 80-100mm for the next two days.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on October 04, 2011, 11:35:23 AM
Thanks, John :)
We also have many blooms in the autumn - Gentiana, Hepatica, Aquilegia ...
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Lesley Cox on October 04, 2011, 08:27:56 PM
My 3 tiny Rhodothamnus which have lasted two years have so far shown no little dot of green for the spring. I've not written them off yet as a few things are just starting, but.....I am worried. ???
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on October 05, 2011, 06:57:49 AM
Lesley, hopefully that will start to grow.
I am also worried - seedlings will spend the winter, and autumn is very wet. ???
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: hadacekf on October 05, 2011, 06:18:54 PM
Well done Natalia. I wish much luck.
Franz
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on October 07, 2011, 06:34:42 PM
Franz, thank you!
Hopefully will be able to grow the adult flowering plant. I'll try. :)
Title: sowing Rhodothamnus
Post by: Frans IJsselstijn on June 26, 2012, 06:09:24 PM
Hello

I have some seeds from Rhodothamnus chamaecistis.
I like to sow them
Who can tell me the best way to sow Rhodothamnus
Many tanks for the answers.

Kind regards
Frans
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Maggi Young on June 26, 2012, 07:12:06 PM
As has been mentioned inthis thread, Frans,  most will use a soil with some humus or even pure sphagnum moss , topped with grit for this sort of tiny seed. Sow  on the surface of the grit andwater in well. Keep  moist and watch out for birds pulling out the tiny seedlings as they search in the moss, if the grit does not form a good enough cover. Shady spot, and be prepared for quite a long wait for good sized babies.
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Lesley Cox on June 26, 2012, 10:47:15 PM
A few days ago I had a look at my tiny seedlings and found that one has actually grown to the extent it is visible without the pot being picked up and peered at closely. In fact it is perhaps .5 of a cm in diameter and seems to have 3 branches. Of the others, one is apparently gone and the other is small as ever, barely visible. We are now into winter and today I was to go into town to a meeting with my boss but the road out is a steep sheet of ice and the weather people are saying stay at home unless it is an emergency, so I'm doing that.

Frans, growing Rhodothamnus from seed is a very slow process. Mine were sown on grit as Maggi suggests and it seems that maybe within a 5-10 year period I may have a little plant worth calling a plant. I've always found sowing on other than grit, the mosses grow too quickly and the tiny seedlings never are seen above it. Same with rhododendron seed.

Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on September 05, 2012, 06:13:24 PM
Here Rhodothamnus chamaetsistus - one of the biggest of my seedlings. Height 2.5 cm Seeds sown in winter 2010/11
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on November 25, 2015, 04:29:18 PM
Possible continuation of this theme will be interesting for Members of the Forum  ...
Photographed after the first severe frosts this year.
Young plant Rhodothamnus chamaetsistus  on a permanent place in my garden. Plant height of 5-7 cm.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on September 07, 2016, 08:05:25 PM
Rhodothamnus chamaecistus on constant place - the beginning of winter 2015/16 was without snow with temperatures of up to -23. Some sprouts have died.



Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Maggi Young on September 07, 2016, 08:22:44 PM
But still a very good little plant, Natalia.  Progress is slow but steady, is it not?!!
Title: Re: Rhodothamnus
Post by: Natalia on September 07, 2016, 08:39:44 PM
Yes, Maggie ... I can not say that is growing rapidly - but the slowest growing up the first three years from the date of sowing seeds.
In the garden of my colleague, where a humid microclimate my seedlings grow faster and are is now much larger.
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal