Meeting of Prague Rockgarden Club

[ruweiss]

Last weekend we had an invitation to join our Czech rockgarden friends at their meeting at Zderaz, a small
village about 40 km southeast of  Pardubice.  There were also friends from Belgium, Poland, Denmark, Slovakia
and other Germans,we all had a very good time with tasty bohemian food, beer and excellent lectures about all
aspects of rockgardening. Some of us visited the garden of Oldrich Maixner and afterwards a nursery with a
beautiful display garden, specialised in witches brooms, a welcome chance to obtain some living souvenirs.
It is always amazing, to see and experience the high standard of Czech rockgardening.

[ruweiss]

More pictures:

[Maggi Young]

I am glad to see everyone has good shoes on this year, Rudi -  I remember the slippers in the cold last time!! 

What marvellous witches' brooms....

I have never seen a nursery with so many like that... amazing to see this. 

[Diane Whitehead]

Are the ones on tall stems for sale, or are they the stock plants from
which cuttings are harvested?

Is it customary to graft the witches brooms?

[mark smyth]

  a forest of witches brooms  

Pity the conifer nursery is so far away. I wouldnt be looking for tall grafts.

[ruweiss]

Thanks for your kind replies. The weather was kinder to us as in the last year, rather cool, but no snow.
The Czech friends (and we) do wore slippers in the hotel, because they are used to do so. If you visit a Czech
home, please leave your shoes at the front door, because it would be very impolite to enter with  normal
footwear.
The witches brooms are grafted in various heights for stock plants and for sale. Most of the collectors prefer
the higher plants, but this is a matter of taste. Grafted plants grow quicker than cuttings,which is in the
interest of the grower. Many species, especially Pinus, Larix, Cedrus etc.normally don't grow from
cuttings.
Mark, be glad, that you were not with us, you saved a lot of money in spite of the fact, that the plants
are much cheaper than in our countries.

[Maggi Young]

Rudi, this is excellent advice for the shoes in Czech  homes..... I will remember.

[Ragged Robin]

What a great meeting place for rock gardening friends! 
The witches' brooms look amazing but there are lots of other plants looking equally attractive 

[Maren]

What a wonderful series of pictures. First time I've come across witches' brooms and I'm already smitten. They would make a terrific foil for my pleione display at the London Orchid Show in March. Does anyone know where to buy any in this country? I have googled but to no avail. Your help would be appreciated.

[Olga Bondareva]

Rudi, thank you for report and beautiful images of autumn Czech!
I am only can't recognize any face.
Forest of WB is outstanding. Many years ago I was infected WB desire virus by czechs. Since that time I've been to many conifer lovers gardens but never to this one.