Rhododendron

[RichKid]

A friend of mine has a decent sized rhododendron, I think, in their yard. It doesn't have the typical large leaves of the rhodis Im used to, but the leaves are larger than that of an azalea. I know its a broad leaf evergreen of some type and the growth habit reminds me of rhodis and azaleas. I'm going to collect it in the spring and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for collecting this type of plant. Can I bare root it into a better medium or should I keep it in its native soil for a year? How should the transplant be handled etc. Any special procedural tips? Thanks ahead of time.

 

[0soyoung]

Rhodies and azaleas tend to have a mat of fibrous roots instead of conventional tree roots. By all means, move it to bonsi soil when you lift it. Just be aware that you likely will not be able to comb out the roots as you anticipate.

My opinion is to wait until after it has bloomed, but you should be able to do this anytime until then.

BTW. Azaleas and rhodies are all rhododendrons. Its a big family of plants and there are many small leafed varieties/cultivars. I bet you will wind up with more than this one in a pot.

 

[jkd2572]

Poink/Dario a member here just collected one last year and its doing great. Hopefully he chimes in.

 

[jkd2572]

Here is his post
http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?8324-Urban-Yamadori-Azalea

 

[RichKid]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm aware that azaleas are rhododendrons. This particular plant I'm not sure what it is. It doesn't have the elongated leaves of rhododendrons they are more circular. But everything else about it says rhodi. I know there are hundreds of types of rhodis and hybrids etc. I have to get some pics up as soon as I can. Anyone know of any rhodi type plants with a rounder leaf?

 

[Poink88]

Everything I did was basically mentioned in that thread. I am no expert...just sharing what I did (but some might be wrong or not the best for you)

- I washed off most of the original soil. It was sticky clay like but very dark black soil.
- Applied cut paste at chop areas.
- Used 90% turface + 5% chopped sphagnum moss + 5% sphagnum peat as soil medium. If I can go back, I'll probably eliminate the sphagnum peat now and add more chopped sphagnum moss.
- Watered with water soluble rooting hormone.
- Applied 1" thick top layer of sphagnum moss
- Brushed the branches as BVF recommended
- Kept the tree in a shaded area w/ morning direct sun exposure
- Eventually bagged the tree to increase humidity. Plastic was clear and have a BIG hole at the top to let heat escape and for watering. It worked more as a wind shield.
- Sprayed it morning and afternoon w/ water & vinegar (apple cider) solution. My mix was 2 table spoonful per 16oz sprayer bottle.

Note that it was late June when I collected and it was HOT!!! About 106*F while digging it. I read that at that level root actually shuts down but I got some buds 3 weeks after. It stopped for a month and only resumed growth when I bagged the tree. It could be coincidence too that at that time, the temps are starting to get milder.

All the leaves I tried to save dropped. Better plan your chops and do it as hard as needed...just leave some stubs (1"-2") beyond where you want the final cut will be. Expect some die back...I had some but nothing beyond most branch "fork" area.

Best advise I can give you... try to collect as much fine roots as you can and do not let them rot (by over watering).

Hope this helps. Good luck!!!

 

[0soyoung]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm aware that azaleas are rhododendrons. This particular plant I'm not sure what it is. It doesn't have the elongated leaves of rhododendrons they are more circular. But everything else about it says rhodi. I know there are hundreds of types of rhodis and hybrids etc. I have to get some pics up as soon as I can. Anyone know of any rhodi type plants with a rounder leaf?

There is a rhodie "Orbiculare" that has very round leaves, else I have no idea.

I didn't mean to be overbearingly tedius. But the point I was trying to make is that there is a huge number of rhodies and azaleas. Barring it being something very common that people in your area know, try the American Rhododendron Society and, in the off chance it is really an azalea, the Azalea Society of America

 

[Waldo Street Pottery]

Poink, what was the reason for the water/vinegar spray? Acidity? Thanks, sorry to threadjack.

 

[Poink88]

Poink, what was the reason for the water/vinegar spray? Acidity?

Yes. My water is on the alkaline side (pH 9 vs pH 5-6 ideal for azalea) since our City uses lime in our water plants.

 

[RichKid]

Here is a pic. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but it's def not as big as what poink collected. So any ideas? It's been pruned a bit already by the owner, not in the best way either! But I figure its just one more tree to have to play around with while learning.

 

[lordy]

Cant say I recognize it, but it does not look like it is a Rhododendron.

 

[Poink88]

View attachment 29981

Here is a pic. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but it's def not as big as what poink collected. So any ideas? It's been pruned a bit already by the owner, not in the best way either! But I figure its just one more tree to have to play around with while learning.

If you are just trying to differential between azalea and rhododendron...try this.
http://azaleas.org/index.pl/azaleas.html

"Azaleas are in the genus Rhododendron, with evergreen azaleas in the subgenus Tsutsusi and deciduous azaleas in the subgenus Pentanthera.

Some small-leaved rhododendrons look like evergreen azaleas. To tell them apart, first look at a flower—most azaleas have only 5 or 6 stamens, while most rhododendrons have 10 stamens.
'Bayou' leaf hairs 'Bayou' leaf hairs Then look at a leaf—azalea leaves tend to be thinner, softer and more pointed than rhododendron leaves, and azalea leaves tend to have long straight hairs parallel to the leaf surface, usually along the midrib on the underside of the leaf.
R. augustinii leaf scales Rhododendron augustinii leaf scales

Finally, using a magnifying glass, look at the underside of a leaf for tiny round structures called scales—azalea leaves never have scales, while small-leaved rhododendron leaves are always covered with scales (the more correct name for small-leaved rhododendrons is "lepidote" rhododendrons, where lepidote means "covered with scales"). "

 

[RichKid]

If you are just trying to differential between azalea and rhododendron...try this.
http://azaleas.org/index.pl/azaleas.html

"Azaleas are in the genus Rhododendron, with evergreen azaleas in the subgenus Tsutsusi and deciduous azaleas in the subgenus Pentanthera.

Some small-leaved rhododendrons look like evergreen azaleas. To tell them apart, first look at a flower—most azaleas have only 5 or 6 stamens, while most rhododendrons have 10 stamens.
'Bayou' leaf hairs 'Bayou' leaf hairs Then look at a leaf—azalea leaves tend to be thinner, softer and more pointed than rhododendron leaves, and azalea leaves tend to have long straight hairs parallel to the leaf surface, usually along the midrib on the underside of the leaf.
R. augustinii leaf scales Rhododendron augustinii leaf scales

Finally, using a magnifying glass, look at the underside of a leaf for tiny round structures called scales—azalea leaves never have scales, while small-leaved rhododendron leaves are always covered with scales (the more correct name for small-leaved rhododendrons is "lepidote" rhododendrons, where lepidote means "covered with scales"). "

First, let me start by thanking you for this great information you have taken the time to provide. I truly am thankful, I have added this to my mental encyclopedia. But my question
actually was if the tree in question even was a rhodie or azalea. I'm not exactly sure what it is. LOL It could possibly be a small leaved azalea, but I would have to return to the home of my friend and take a closer look. If you look at the pictures do you care to hazard a guess as to if my hunch, about being a rhodie/azalea, is correct?

 

[RichKid]

Poink,
I have more pics if that would be helpful.

 

[Poink88]

Poink,
I have more pics if that would be helpful.

What I copy pasted from the link pretty much spells what you should look for to distinguish it. You are the best person to do that now. Probably just need to read it again.

 

[RichKid]

What I copy pasted from the link pretty much spells what you should look for to distinguish it. You are the best person to do that now. Probably just need to read it again.

Right. My only worry is what if I don't think its either!

 

[Harunobu]

I recognize the plant, but I don't know it's name. It's not a rhododendron or azalea.

 

[RichKid]

I recognize the plant, but I don't know it's name. It's not a rhododendron or azalea.

I wasn't 100% convinced it was. Now I'm really confused. Lol Please let me know if u recall so I can check it out. Thanks.

 

[Bill S]

Look up Honeysuckle and see if that is closer. From the center probably not a Mt Laurel, but they look what you describe. Some places illegal to remove.

 

[RichKid]

Look up Honeysuckle and see if that is closer. From the center probably not a Mt Laurel, but they look what you describe. Some places illegal to remove.

I looked up honeysuckle and its not it. Looks similar but different enough to easily say no. Also looked very similar to mt laurel, but not dead on. I would love if it were a mt laurel, maybe its some sort of a cultivar variant? Mt laurel grows wild around here. Its the state flower of pennsylvania. Ive seen enough wild ones to know its definitely not one of those. Either way as far as removal, I doubt it's illegal to remove any shrub from your home