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DEXTER RHODODENDRONS: THEIR FAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
Heman A. Howard, Horticulturist,
Heritage Plantation, Sandwich, Massachusetts

FIG. 25.  Mass planting of original Dexter rhododendrons in                     woods along bank of Shawme Lake. Many of these                     plants are over 40 years old.

        For nearly a half century the name of Charles O. Dexter has been synonymous with fine rhododendrons, the likes of which in most cases were not known to be hardy in this section of the country prior to Mr. Dexter's time.
        In 1921 Charles O. Dexter, a New Bedford textile manufacturer then 60 years old, purchased a tract of land consisting of 76 acres in the town of Sandwich, Massachusetts. We are told at that time this was a run-down farm consisting mostly of native woodland  - predominately pitch pine, black and white oaks, and black locusts intermingled with some old white pines.
        Mr. Dexter's first horticultural interest at his new home was in the growing of cultivated blueberries. Very shortly Mr. Paul Frost, a Boston landscape architect, was hired. Soon many carloads of rhododendrons, mountain laurels, pieris, Carolina hemlocks and other native plants arrived from North Carolina. At this time the Farquhar Nursery located in Barnstable, about ten miles away had many unusual Asian rhododendrons for sale. These plants had been received from the Robert Veitch Nursery in Exeter, England. Several plants were purchased by Mr. Dexter and it is believed these were the plants first used in his breeding program. It is also believed by some people that a few of his original plants came from the estate of Charles S. Sargent, then director of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.
        It was not long before other botanists, including Dr. Leonard Ross and Ernest "Chinese" Wilson, a world renowned plant collector for the Arnold Arboretum, gave Mr. Dexter rhododendron plants and cuttings as well as pollen collected in Europe and Asia. According to Dr. Clement Bowers, Mr. Dexter was an excellent hybridizer and propagator, developing many new techniques in the growing of rhododendrons. In a very few years he was raising between five and ten thousand seedlings a year.
        Mr. Dexter rarely kept records of his crosses in writing. Consequently, the percentage of his hybrids were never known for certain. To complicate matters more, the actual source of his parent plants or pollen was not known for sure, even by himself. Seedlings grown from foreign source seeds often varied considerably, proving they too were hybrids. Some of the exotic species used in his program included R. haematodes, R. griffithianum, R. fortunei, R. decorum and R. discolor, plus several known cultivars.
        Mr. Dexter was very selective in his choice of parent plants. Among his favorites were a R. catawbiense clone called 'Farquhar's Pink', and his own Dexter #8 and #9 which seemed to be his favorites among the R. fortunei strains. These he had selected because of their fragrance, habit of growth, and size of corolla. To these he tried to add variations in color as well as improvement in form and other characteristics.
        During the years from 1921 through 1943 Mr. Dexter both sold and gave away literally thousands of young plants as well as flats of unknown seedlings. These gestures of kindness eventually led to much confusion. As these plants grew and eventually flowered, many were really outstanding. Many more were good but not out of the ordinary. As to be expected in a program of this type, a large percentage of these seedlings proved to be inferior and should have been disposed of when young rather than allowed to grow and eventually be sold as Dexter hybrids.

FIG. 26. Photograph of Mr. Charles                O. Dexter. No information                available as to when it was                taken.

        Mr. Dexter died from a heart attack on March 10, 1943, at the age of 81 while assisting his plumbers to locate a well on the grounds. A few years after his death a special voluntary and strictly unofficial committee of the American Rhododendron Society members was formed by Dr. Clement G. Bowers and Henry Skinner. It was to locate and evaluate the many Dexter plants growing in gardens along the eastern seaboard. Other horticulturists and rhododendron enthusiasts invited to join in this search included Edmond Amateis, Paul Bosley, David G. Leach, Paul Vossberg, John C. Wister, and Donald Wyman.
        For over 10 years this committee worked either as a group or individually  observing as many of these plants as possible, noting and tagging those worthy of future study. Later the owners of these selected plants allowed cuttings to be taken. These in turn were propagated by committee member Paul Vossberg at the Westbury Rose Co., Westbury, Long Island. The initial costs were borne by the Arthur Hoyt Scott Foundation of Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa., where all rooted cuttings were to be first grown.
        It was agreed that a complete set should be grown and retained at Swarthmore. As surplus plants became available they would be given to committee members for study and hardiness tests. The first of these surplus plants were sent to the Arnold Arboretum Planting Fields Arboretum, and the U.S. National Arboretum. These plants were to be observed and evaluated growing under the climatic conditions in Boston, Mass., Long Island, N.Y., and Washington, D.C. Eventually the best ones were to be named and distributed to cooperating nurserymen. Many plants were named by this committee, and these cultivars are now being sold by several nurseries along the east coast as well as the Pacific northwest.
        There are still, after these many years, several unnamed Dexter Hybrids being grown under the original committee numbers. Some of these have ratings as high or higher than those in the original selection. Hopefully they will be named in the near future while members of this committee are still actively interested in this program started a quarter of a century ago. It was stated earlier in this article that there are still inferior Dexter Hybrids being sold in many garden centers along the highway. It is suggested here that the amateur rhododendron enthusiast be careful purchasing these plants if not in bloom at the time unless they bear a cultivar name.
        Dexter Rhododendrons at Present In 1967 the former Dexter Estate was purchased by Mr. Josiah K. Lilly, III for the purpose of creating a museum of early Americana to be dedicated to the memory of his father, Josiah Kirby Lilly, Jr.  This beautiful 75-acre estate on the shores of Shawme Lake is now known as The Heritage Plantation of Sandwich, an educational, non-profit museum.  Heritage Plantation's buildings now house the many collections of early Americana gathered by the present owner as well as those collected by his father. These fine collections so beautifully exhibited in surroundings of much horticultural beauty provide the visitor hours of pleasure.  Great care was practiced during the two years of restoration and construction of Heritage Plantation to preserve the many old original Dexter plants and to return this former show�place to its rightful place among the best of our American gardens.  As this is a report on Dexter rhododendrons, our comments will be confined to that subject. We hope that Quarterly Bulletin readers will visit us if in the vicinity of Cape Cod between May 1st and October 15th. Heritage Plantation is open to the public for a slight admission fee every day during that period. The height of our rhododendron flowering season is usually during the last week of May lasting through the first three weeks of June.
        During the fall of 1970 a study was made of the known Dexter cultivars, using the March 15, 1963 report of Dr. John C. Wister titled "Rhododendrons; The Dexter Strain Hybrids" as a guide. Dr. Wister at that time was acting as secretary for the previously mentioned committee. A list of eighty-four cultivars believed to be Dexters was compiled, of which only eighteen were represented in the collection here at Heritage Plantation, the garden of their origin.
        In November 1970 we visited several gardens known to be growing some of the plants mentioned in Dr. Wister's report. Our hope was that cuttings might be obtained from a few of these missing plants. The following gardens were visited at the time: Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, U. S. National Arboretum, Swarthmore College, John J. Tyler Arboretum, Morris Arboretum, and the Planting Fields Arboretum. These organizations were most interested and cooperative in this project, and we were able to obtain cuttings from forty-five cultivars not represented in our collection. The interest and encouragement conveyed at these various gardens furnished the incentive to make an attempt to locate the remaining cultivars.
        This program would have been considerably delayed without the help of Mr. Roger Coggeshall, President of the Cherry Hill Nurseries, West Newbury, Mass., who agreed to propagate the cuttings we had just received and who also promised to root those we would be seeking in 1971. Roger is much interested in this program even though his nursery is situated in an area where it is impractical to grow Dexters commercially. The rooting percentage of the 1970 cuttings was excellent and the young plants were returned to the Heritage Plantation and planted in our nursery frames late last summer.
        With that encouragement our first "Dexter Appeal" (see p. 109, Vol. 25, No. 2, April 1971, A.R.S. Quarterly Bulletin, also p. 65, Vol. 5, No. 2, March 1971 A.A.B.G.A. Bulletin) was compiled and mailed to many rhododendron growers throughout the country. The response was most gratifying. From these replies we learned many things, including the fact that we had over�estimated the number of Dexter cultivars. The list was reduced to seventy-nine as some of those listed were not true Dexters. We were fortunate also in being able to locate sources for seventy-five of the seventy-nine listed. In the opinion of Dr. Wister, (a man that has been most helpful to us), the remaining four might never have been named.
        Our search program continued during the spring and fall of 1971. From the information already gained we were able to contact growers of the missing cultivars. Several plants were donated, for which we are indeed grateful. Others were purchased, while still others have been ordered for Spring, 1972, delivery. These young plants are to be grown in our nursery and will be used as stock plants for future propagation. Eventually we aim to create mass plantings of "The Best of Dexters", conspicuously displayed in natural surroundings here where they rightfully belong.

FIG. 27. Rhododendron 'Dexter's Cream'                (DE #437) a low growing fra-                grant variety. Plant is over 40                years old and still is only 5 feet tall                with an 8 foot spread.	FIG. 28. Rhododendron 'Dexter's Horizon'               (DE #480) a hardy pink variety has               withstood temperatures as low as               15� below zero.                  Photo by Heman A. Howard

What does the future hold for Dexter Rhododendrons?

        We have no reason to believe that the future of the true Dexter rhododendrons is anything but bright and encouraging. Mr. Dexter's plants have been growing in gardens from southern New England to North Carolina as well as parts of the Pacific northwest. They have proven themselves to rank with the best in the above localities, and a few have also done reasonably well in Ohio and Illinois. Qualities not found in the so-called "Ironlads" make the Dexters a perfect supplement to that group of old-time favorites.
        Here at the Heritage Plantation plans are well underway for a future test garden. A woodland area has been selected and during the winter all underbrush was cleared. The large oaks, hickories, and pines were thinned to allow for necessary high shade and filtered sunlight. In this area we hope to plant at least two specimens of each variety as well as some of the better numbered but as yet unnamed Dexters. Here an opportunity will be afforded those interested to see and compare the many cultivars on display, and to form their own opinions.
        During this past winter a ten-page "Progress Report" was written, printed and mailed to all who participated in the original appeal. A copy was also sent to each local American Rhododendron Society Chapter. This report contains the names of all known Dexter cultivars, code numbers by whom they were named, and names of those who introduced them. An alphabetical list also indicates where the plants are being grown as well as where they can be purchased. Additional copies of this report are available free of charge as long as they last. Please address your request to the author at Heritage Plantation, Box 566, Sandwich, Mass. 02563.
        This coming spring it is our intention to gather all possible flowering information, hardiness data, and any other facts pertaining to the various Dexter cultivars. Information and personal opinions are welcomed from readers and will be filed for future reference and a later progress report.
        In conclusion we feel that the "Best of Dexters" will continue to be held in high esteem for years to come. Now that sources are known for the various cultivars, nurserymen might be encouraged to make a few of these available to their customers. It is also hoped that this article might stimulate more interest among rhododendron enthusiasts and that they too will request their favorites from their nurseryman.

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ENGLISH MODERN HARDY HYBRID RHODODENDRONS
Edmund L. de Rothschild

        When considering what we might call good new garden hybrids, it is strange how clear-cut still is the division between the mass-produced hardy hybrid ('Britannia', 'Pink Pearl', 'Lord Roberts') and the finer garden hybrids. The former in their own way seem to us a completely different race from what might be termed a good new hybrid.
        We want a plant to stand out as something different in colour, habit, and ideally fill a gap in the flowering season. Fulfilling all these requirements of a good hybrid is Rh. 'Jalisco' in the grex and in the clones. 'Jalisco' ('Lady Bessborough' x 'Dido') 1942, LR 833 in the Exbury Studbook is undoubtedly one of my father's most successful crosses in his search for a perfect yellow rhododendron. The plant is ideal for the smaller modern garden; it is compact, with good habit and long dark green leaves. The flowers are borne in delightful open trusses, and are of a rich maize yellow. 'Jalisco's' flowering time at Exbury is late May to early June, and this helps to extend the season which in England is usually at its height in mid-May.
        'Jalisco' is one of the earliest attempts to produce a good hybrid using two hybrids as parents, so its genealogical tree with the British and American hardiness ratings is of considerable interest.

This cross has given an outstanding selection of clones, three of which have already
received our Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit, and one has the highest award
of a First Class Certificate.
'Exbury Jalisco' grex		B, 3 star	Probably equal to 'Jalisco Goshawk'
'Jalisco Eclipse' A.M.	cl.	B, 2 star	Primrose yellow with dark crimson eye and
			speckling in the throat
'Jalisco Elect' A.M.	cl.	B, 2 star	Primrose with some chestnut spots.
'Jalisco Emblem'	cl.
'Jalisco Goshawk' FCC.	cl.	B, 3 star	Mimosa yellow with some crimson spotting
'Jalisco Janet'	cl.
'Jalisco Jubilant' A.M.	cl.		Lovely truss with up to 14 florets flushed
			poppy red opening to butter yellow, with
			distinctive yellow calyx.
'Lindberg'	cl.		Exhibited, by Windsor in 1954, previously
			known as 'Jalisco var. Lindberg'

This fine plant is well worth a try where the American hardiness ratings would make it a feasible proposition to grow.

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R. 'GOLDEN STAR'
Fred Knapp, Locust Valley, N.Y.

R. 'Golden Star' Photo by Dr. Carl Phetteplace in his own garden.

        This cross was made by Don Hardgrove on Long Island not long ago. It is R. fortunei x R. croceum, a very successful primary cross with a yellow flower and great possibilities for further hybridization. This plant has good habit and good leaves and clear yellow color rarely found in plants able to wrestle with the Northeastern climate. It has hardiness quite adequate for the coastal areas on Long Island, but perhaps not quite up to the coldest central areas. With respect to the quality of its color, the best recommendation - as well as the photograph reproduced herein - comes from Dr. Phetteplace. Dr. Phetteplace obtained a plant recently from Sid Burns on Long Island, and when it bloomed for him was so impressed that he forwarded the photo to Sid with the statement that he thought the color and overall impact better than 'Crest'!

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TRIP TO TRANQUILITY
Britt and Jean Smith, Kent, Washington

INTRODUCTION
        This chronology of a trip to Sikkim was to have been a story of searching for and photographing rhododendrons in Himalaya. Unfortunately the tension which prevailed along the border of Sikkim and Tibet caused extreme restriction of travel in Sikkim. A few rhododendrons were seen growing in and near towns which we visited, but only rarely was one in bloom because it was not their season. As a result of this, the story is mostly of Himalayan people whom we met.
        Perhaps our fondness for rhododendrons can help us acquire some of the Himalayan philosophy of life. Perhaps it is even a sign that we are reincarnations of Himalayan people. That can be a pleasant, soothing thought if you care to contemplate on it. Belief in reincarnation definitely contributes to the peace of mind of the Himalayan people. They are a quiet and peaceful, but at the same time friendly and interesting people. Their austere lives are lives of happiness and tranquility seemingly found only where the frantic urgency of the modern world has not yet invaded.

FIG. 30. Tse Ten Tashi holding branch of R. dalhousiae.

        On May 16, 1968, Mr. K. C. Pradhan (who was then living in New Haven, Conn.) wrote a letter to Mr. H. L. Larson of Tacoma. In this letter he stated that he was planning to be in Tacoma the following month and would visit Mr. Larson at that time. He also mentioned that Mr. Tse Ten Tashi of Gangtok, Sikkim was a friend and an ardent naturalist in the Himalayas.
        Since Mr. Pradhan's routing for his return to Sikkim did not take him through Tacoma, Mr. Larson gave me a copy of the letter so that I could resume the correspondence if I wished to do so. The primary subject being considered in the letter was the possible procurement of rhododendron seeds from Sikkim, and I was interested in seeds.
        By July, Mr. Pradhan's location was not known, so a letter was sent to Mr. Tse Ten Tashi, Gangtok, Sikkim. It was not known if the address was sufficient, if Mr. Tashi would respond, nor how a letter would get to Sikkim. In the letter was an explanation of the exploration that Dr. Frank Mossman and I had done among R. occidentale and of our conviction that the variation found in that species is not restricted to that species. Mr. Tashi was asked if he knew of anyone who would be interested in searching their native species for superior forms of rhododendrons, marking and pollinating the selected plants, and returning later to collect the seed.
        In October a letter arrived stating, "Having failed to hear from you, I am again writing to you as advised by Mr. Pradhan, who is now here with us." Later in the letter Mr. Tashi wrote, "I am an orchid specialist, having grown them for the last 39 years, and am 58 years old but still active and young as a youth of 25 years old." Also he wrote, "I shall be in the best position to take the job you had offered, both in collection of the seeds and also take both 35 mm Kodachrome and 16 mm cine colours if need be so that you have the vision of the variations which I have been observing in the past years."
        An exchange of letters was devoted to sparring for a price, which was finally established at $500 for the year's effort of hunting, collecting and photographing. This was more than I was able to pay so, at the suggestion of Bob Badger, members of the Seattle Study Club and the Tacoma Study Club were asked if they were interested in participating. The Seattle Study Club, with the urging of Jim Caperci, offered to contribute $200, and before the group dispersed that evening, several individuals contributed more than $100 additional. Since I wished to participate, only $100 interest was offered to the Tacoma Study Club and the members quickly voted to contribute this. The Seeds from Sikkim venture was launched with surprising rapidity.
        On February 20, 1969 a letter was written to Mr. Tashi to advise him that finances had been arranged.
        Seed soon came from a supply which Mr. Tashi had on hand, and this distributed among the contributors. There was a rapid series of letters both ways, as the banks were very slow in transferring funds to Mr. Tashi's account. On April 24 he finally received notice that the funds had arrived, and all was joy in Gangtok!
        Contact was made with the Seattle Rock Garden Society per Mr. Tashi's suggestion that he might collect seed for them. Mr. Tashi's second daughter had been married in Gangtok, and life in general continued at its usual pace.

That is how the Sikkim experience began...
        There are three questions which are most frequently asked about Sikkim and which seemingly could most appropriately be answered at this point: 1. What is Sikkim? 2. Where is Sikkim? 3. Isn't that the country in which the American girl married the King? Those questions will be answered in that order.

1. Sikkim is a kingdom populated by less than 200,000 people. It is approximately 70 miles long north to south, and approximately 40 miles wide east to west. 
2. It is in Himalaya, located between Nepal on the west, Bhutan on the east, India on the south, and Tibet on the north. 
3. Miss Hope Cooke married the Crown Prince of Sikkim in 1963 and became the Gyalmo (Queen) in 1965, when Palden Thondup Namgyal became Chokyal (King) following the death of his father.

        Early in our correspondence with Mr. Tashi, we mentioned that the possibility of our traveling to Sikkim to visit Gangtok, to visit Mr. Tashi, and perhaps to visit some of the rhododendrons there. Plans for that trip developed steadily. It was finally decided that we would visit Himalaya in April of 1970. Then there were passports to obtain, inoculations for almost everything (since we would be traveling through Southeast Asia), airline reservations, hotel reservations and, most important of all, the application for a permit to enter Sikkim. Application for this permit must be started about three months ahead of departure date by writing to the Consulate General of India in San Francisco. This office is most responsive and helpful, but India is far away and governments are cumbersome. At almost the last minute we learned that we would be in Indian territory long enough to need a visa, and this caused a small panic - but the Consulate General's office responded quickly and the visa was provided in adequate time.
        A short time before the departure date, a shipment of color slides arrived from Mr. Tashi, enclosed with a shipment of seeds. There were approximately 40 species represented, and each packet of seed was to be divided five ways. It is great to have friends at a time like this, and Marge and Bob Badger undertook the big job of dividing and distributing the seed. The pictures went back to Sikkim with us so Mr. Tashi could identify them for us.
        The departure date arrived and still no permit to enter Sikkim, so a frantic letter went to the Consulate General in San Francisco to tell of our itinerary so the permit could be forwarded. We had decided that we would go to Darjeeling and Mr. Tashi could meet us there, and that we could have an enjoyable trip even if we did not get to Sikkim.
        Our route was through Los Angeles, Honolulu, Guam, Taipei, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Calcutta. In Calcutta we had a moment of concern when an Immigration official told us that we could not go to Darjeeling without a special permit. It was late at night and we were scheduled to depart early the next morning. Someone said that it would be necessary to apply in Calcutta and wait for two or three days to obtain the permit. At that time a friendly representative of the Department of Tourism arrived to assure us that the permit would be readily available at our next stop. He also helped us get to our hotel, change money, send a telegram, and then appeared at the airport early the next morning to assure us and to see that we found our airplane. For all this helpfulness, he refused any payment!
        By seven o'clock in the morning we were headed north in an old DC-3 for what was to me the most comfortable and interesting flight of the trip. The seats were far enough apart and high enough that a fellow who is 6 feet 2 inches tall can stretch his legs to rest them and to restore circulation. The flight altitude was low enough that we had an excellent view of the plains of India. Like so many things about which one reads, the descriptions do not convey the same impact as the experience. The thing that impressed me with the flatness of those plains is the way the streams have changed their courses. From six or eight thousand feet one can see the abandoned river courses by patterns of vegetation and color of the soil. It seemed that the streams have changed courses so many times that at one time or another every square foot of the plain must have been under the water of those streams. The plains of Kansas are rolling hills by comparison.
        After a breakfast which was excellent and our first experience with food in India, and a reasonable time to absorb the sights from aloft, we landed in Bagdogra, an Indian Air Force base approximately 350 miles north of Calcutta. Just as the representative of the Department of Tourism had told us, the permit to go to Darjeeling was readily obtained at the airport. Efforts to make reservations for the return flight to Calcutta and on to Bombay, where we would rejoin TWA, were fruitless. We were told to make those reservations in Darjeeling.
        Probably 45 minutes had passed since our plane had landed, and we were about to have our first experience with the spontaneous friendliness of the natives of Himalaya. All other incoming passengers had left the terminal while we were obtaining our permit and attempting to make reservations. The next problem was to get to Darjeeling, and this was done by hiring a car and driver for the three hour drive. We had made no advance arrangements and so began inquiring about a car. We were told that one was waiting for us - a pleasant surprise! People in the terminal directed us to a car waiting outside in the shade of a tree - it was the car chartered by a Himalayan lady who had recognized our situation and kept her driver waiting for fully half an hour! She had been an amah to a British family in London for 20 years, the children had grown and left home, and now she was returning to her native Darjeeling. We were to be her guests for the trip up into the mountains and to Darjeelingshe would have it no other way.
        At the Central Hotel in Darjeeling, we were warmly greeted by the manager and by the proprietor and his wife.
        It was two o'clock in the afternoon, so they provided us a special lunch and asked if there was any particular reason that we had come to Darjeeling. Yes, there was a special reason; we had come to see rhododendrons growing in their native habitat. "Rhododendrons grow all around the mall", they told us, and pointed the way. As soon as we had eaten, we set out for the mall, all excited over the prospect of seeing Himalayan rhododendrons growing there.
        As we were eating dinner that evening, Mr. Madan, the proprietor, asked if we had found any rhododendrons. Not only had we failed to find rhododendrons, we had not found the mall. Mr. Madan assured us that a few rhododendrons must be in bloom because he had seen some children with flowers. The next day, armed with better directions and a little more knowledge of finding our way, we set out again. That evening we were able to report that we had found the mall, which is a paved road around a hilltop rather than a large open area as we had expected. We received further assurances that rhododendrons grow "all around the mall".
        On our third day of searching, we walked around the mall again, and at one point noticed a tiny fleck of red up in a tree - rhododendrons! We had been walking among rhododendrons all the time, but they were 60 ft. high instead of being shrubs as we had known them at home. You can readily guess that they were R. arboreum and they certainly do grow everywhere in Darjeeling - if one knows enough to look up into the trees.
        About the same time we arrived at the Central Hotel in Darjeeling, a small company of Indian motion picture people arrived also. They were friendly, personable people who told us quite a n u m b e r of interesting and useful things about Darjeeling and Gangtok. Among this group was India's greatest movie villain - and he was the most friendly and personable of them all. It was quite a sight to see him leave the hotel to go to a location to photograph a scene in one of the buildings nearby. The others would get in cars and ride away, but he, dressed in rags for the day's acting, would walk up the street surrounded by children and apparently having as much fun with them as they were having being with him.

FIG. 32. Darjeeling woman carrying our                   luggage	FIG. 33. Mt. Kangchendzonga,                  28,156 ft. Seen from Darjeeling.

        The Lloyd Botanical Garden in Darjeeling seems halfway down into the valley as one walks down to it, and back up to the hotel. Actually it is about a ten minute walk, but with a considerable change in altitude. The garden is very nicely arranged and contains an excellent collection of native plants, including rhododendrons. Unfortunately no rhododendrons were in bloom when we were there; some had bloomed and others were still in tight bud. One flowering plant attracted our attention. If you can imagine Mahonia aquafolia with beautiful bracts of yellow flowers eight or ten inches long, you are thinking of Mahonia nepalensis.
        One day we stopped at the Darjeeling office of the Indian Department of Tourism to gather information about Darjeeling and the area immediately around it. They were most helpful and informative, and Jean suggested impulsively that we ask them about our application for permission to enter Sikkim, since no word had ever come. The young gentleman to whom we were talking listened to our story and then said, "I will dial the office of the Deputy Commissioner of the Darjeeling District, but you must talk to them." He dialed the number and handed me the phone. A lady answered, and I told her the story of the application for a permit. She asked my name and if anyone was traveling with me. I told her that I was Britt Smith and that my wife was with me. With "Just a minute", she put down the phone and was gone for quite some time. When she returned to the phone, she said, "Your name is Britt M. Smith and your passport number is H011517. Your wife's name is Jean Eleanor Smith and her passport number is J1016146. Excitedly I said, "Yes, that is correct; will we be permitted to enter Sikkim?" Her answer was, "When would you like to pick up your permit?" You can imagine our feeling of jubilation. Then it was hurry to telephone Mr. Tashi, hurry to make reservations on the "transport" (jeep), and hurry to the objective of the trip!
        The transport leaves at nine in the morning, right after breakfast. It was about nine or ten blocks to the "bus station", so a little lady who weighed about as much carried our eighty and more pounds of luggage on her head as we walked behind. Fortunately someone had suggested that we pay a couple of rupees extra for each of us to ride in the front seat of the jeep. The driver, Jean and I sat in front, and four young Indians of perhaps college age shared the back with a spare wheel and tire and all of the luggage. On the return trip I learned about riding in back - the top is too low to allow one to sit upright. It can cause a stiff neck.
        At the appointed hour the jeep departed Darjeeling, bound for Gangtok. Up the hill to Ghum we went, and then down, down, and down. We drove past long rows of Japanese redwood growing along the road, areas thick with bamboo, women carrying firewood toward town, homes of farmers, and then the very large Happy Valley Tea Estate where women were picking tea. As we neared the bottom of this descent from approximately 7,500 feet down to about 600 feet, we came to the viewpoint from which one looks almost straight down 1,200 feet to the confluence of the Rangit and the Testa Rivers. The joining of the clear water of the Rangit and the gray turbid water of the Testa River is most interesting, and was also interesting to the early botanical explorers as they mention it in their writings.
        At the village of Testa, our permit to enter Sikkim was checked the first time. After the formality and a short rest (with no restroom!), we resumed the journey by crossing the Testa River via a temporary suspension bridge which takes the place of a reinforced concrete bridge destroyed by a flood two years earlier. No photography was permitted here, probably because the bridge is considered to be of military importance and we were getting very close to territory occupied by Chinese Communists.
        Along the bank of the Testa River extensive repairs to the highway were in progress, to restore it after the flood damage. Nearly all the work was done by hand, and we waited several times while the road was made passible for a jeep with four-wheel drive. The highway seems to be properly built, with large rocks first and progressively smaller rocks as the roadbed is built up, with finally a dressing of crushed rock. The crushed rock is broken by women who sit along the road by a rock about the size of a basketball. With a 10 or 12 ounce hammer, they break rocks to the required size, as they sit in the blazing sun, often with a baby wrapped in their clothing. I called them "one woman rock crushers". It is hot and humid there because the elevation is probably only 800 feet. Quite a contrast to Gangtok at 5,000 feet or Darjeeling at 7,000 feet!
        At villages along the way our papers were checked three times that day. At about one o'clock we arrived in Singtam, which is probably the transportation hub of Sikkim. The driver went somewhere to eat without saying anything to anyone. We were hungry and thirsty, but did not know where it would be safe to eat or drink. An idea took me to a little fruit and vegetable stand where I displayed a one rupee note (worth approximately fifteen cents) and pointed to a band of bananas. With this, a young fellow came up, picked up a hand of bananas, counted them, and exchanged the dozen bananas for the rupee.
        The bananas were in excellent condition, but slightly smaller than we find in our fruit stands. They tasted very good, especially since we were so hungry, but contained a surprise. As I ate my first one, I bit into what seemed to be a rock, It was a seed, about the size of a large kernel of corn, black as coal and hard as stone.
        After probably fifteen minutes, the driver returned from wherever he had gone, and we started the climb up the mountains to Gangtok. The climb is rather steep and very crooked. As our altitude increased, the temperature become more attractive to us from the temperate zone. Probably two hours later we were approaching a city which we assumed to be Gangtok, when someone shouted and the driver stopped the jeep - it was Mr. Tse Ten Tashi!

FIG. 34. R. arboreum.		FIG. 31. Darjeeling.
		FIG. 35. Mt. Kangehendzonga, 28,156 ft.
FIG. 36. Overlooking Gangtok.

        Mr. Tashi stood before a two story building with a big bouquet of amaryllis in his hand. What a man is this fellow, Tse Ten - even though 60 years of age, he truly has the vigor and enthusiasm of a youth of 25 - and the humor of Bob Hope. Running around in those mountains certainly has been good for him. The way he goes, he should be good for at least another 60 years. 
        The building was our hotel - two stories high in front and five in back, like so many buildings here. It was not luxurious, but it was adequate and the beds were very comfortable. The view from this Kanchen View Hotel is magnificent.
        Mr. Tashi took us to our room and made certain that we were situated satisfactorily, and then asked about our permits. They were for three days. He asked for the permits and left, stating that he would have them extended. By four o'clock he returned, with the permits extended to six days, with two white silk scarves, and with the exciting news that His Majesty, the Chogyal, was expecting us at the palace at six o'clock for cocktails.
        The next hour and a half were really something. We were dirty and grimy from the trip to the point that our hair was full of dust and grit. Since the monsoons come during June, July, and August and nearly all of their 90 inches of rain falls during those three months, April is nearing the end of the long dry season. As a result, the only water we had was in a five gallon pail which sat in the bathroom. It takes experience to be able to clean oneself quickly under those circumstances, and this was our first attempt. We combed out most of the grit, knocked most of the dirt from our hands, faces, and ears, and donned clothing more appropriate for our first meeting with royalty.
        Tse Ten arrived with a car and driver, and was dressed in his court clothes, which he had worn as a secretary to the father of the present Chogyal. As we headed toward the palace, Tse Ten coached us in proper presentation of the scarves. We had many questions about how does one address royalty and, of course, we became more tense as we came closer to the palace.
        At a guard post we alighted from the car for the short walk to the palace entrance, and as we approached the palace, very conspicuous of the scarves rolled and knotted in our hands, it was nearly dark and sprinkling lightly. In the darkness a figure hurried along the broad veranda across the front of the palace, and instead of turning to go inside, turned and came down the steps to meet us. Jean was leading. Tse Ten whispered, "It is His Majesty!"
        A scarf is rolled and tied in such a way that with a flick of the wrist it is unrolled and ready for presentation - if one knows how. Jean was all thumbs and excuses, getting hers unrolled while His Majesty waited patiently and said something about some of their customs being awkward. Of course I had time to get ready, so I fared somewhat better. After the really very nice little formality, His Majesty led us inside to the reception room, where he seated us and explained that Her Majesty would join us soon. Some others arrived - an army officer and his wife, a young doctor and his wife, and a young bachelor who was a professional of some kind.
        As we sat engaged in pleasant conversation, I was trying to keep my scarf at the ready for Her Majesty's entrance. These scarves are pure white and decorated only by removal of the woof for about one and a half inches near each end. This leaves only warp threads for that distance, and perhaps you can imagine what it would be like to get a button tangled in that. Well, I managed to do it! As I was trying to separate the front of my coat from the scarf, Jean noticed my plight and, concerned that Her Majesty might arrive, just gave the scarf a big yank. Fortunately the thread in the scarf broke instead of the thread holding the button!
        Soon after that Her Majesty breezed into the room, and we stood as she walked directly to me. Now it was my turn to be all thumbs. The scarf was very stubborn, the knot most unyielding, and my fingers most disobedient. Finally it was clumsily unfurled and presented. This time Jean had the moment to prepare, so she presented her scarf in the best of form and soon the conversation was resumed.
        His Majesty knew that we were interested in rhododendrons, so he discussed them with us. He is most concerned that some species will become extinct because they are cut for firewood. The wood of the rhododendron is so dry that it burns well when it is first cut; thus it is cut even though there are regulations prohibiting it. We talked of the possibility of establishing preserves where rhododendrons could be protected and where superior plants might be collected. His Majesty told us of his radio station with which he works the 14 meter band as a ham. Her Majesty sat with one couple and then another, talking of her interests which are many. It was a most enjoyable conversation with friendly people, who, in a very charming way, make one feel as if he were chatting with his neighbors. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were served all the while.
        It was good that Tse Ten indicated, at an appropriate moment, that it was time to leave, because it was so interesting and we felt so welcome that it seemed we could talk all night. What delightful, hospitable people!
        From the palace we went to the Tashi's home for dinner. For the next four days we were to eat three meals a day there. The food seemed more Chinese than Indian, and we enjoyed it - the Indian food is too spicy to suit our taste for long. The national drink of Sikkim is Chang, which Tse Ten called "bamboo juice". He called it this because it is served in a container about twelve inches tall and three and one-half inches in diameter, which is a section of bamboo. It is drunk through a "straw" which is a thin section of bamboo plugged but slotted at the lower end and thrust clear to the bottom of the container. Chang is damp fermented millet which has been slightly spiced and very lightly smoked. It is served by filling the container in which the "straw" is first inserted completely full of the fermented millet. This millet is an attractive rusty brown color, so it is decorated by sprinkling a few grains of white rice over the top. Over all this, hot water is poured. The hot water leaches the alcohol and flavoring from the fermented millet. The taste is not remote from saki, and of course the effect is exactly the same.
        After dinner Mrs. Tashi came in to meet us. She spoke no English, but her warmth penetrated that barrier easily. Tse Ten said that she understands some English. We had expected that she might be a tiny Oriental woman, but she was instead a stately five feet six inches tall. The Tashis were married in Lhasa in 1937, since Mrs. Tashi is Tibetan.
        The next morning was cloudy, but between the clouds the air was clear, so we hoped to be able to see Kangchenjunga. We did see it that day, but only the tip is visible in Gangtok. Mr. Tashi arrived at our hotel carrying a spray of orchids approximately 18 inches long. These were taken to the roof of the hotel where we photographed them and the beautiful lilies which Tse Ten had with him when he hailed the jeep as we arrived the day before.
        After breakfast at the Tashi home, we visited the monastery which is on a little hilltop right in Gangtok. Here we were introduced to the ritual of walking clockwise three times around a holy place. This monastery was clean, attractive and interesting - but things were happening so fast that not much else really clings to our memory. In the gardens around the monastery were thousands of orchids which seemingly are there largely as a result of Tse Ten's efforts.
        Not much time was spent in Gangtok that morning, as we were soon in a jeep bound for the Dharma Chakra Centre at Rumtek. Rumtek is visible from Gangtok; it appears quite close as one views it across the valley, but to reach it requires descending to the floor of the valley and then back up again to Rumtek, which is slightly higher than Gangtok - a considerable trip. Tse Ten made it most enjoyable though by dismissing the driver and his jeep from time to time while we walked along the road. It seemed that our Sikkimese friend knows the scientific name of every plant we saw and every bird we heard. He showed us where the woodcutters were chopping down trees of Rhododendron arboreum, and he showed us many plants which are familiar to us either as garden or house plants.
        All of this took place along a narrow and winding but paved road with gentle grades. It passed by beautiful terraced farms where we saw numerous small goats and a few chickens near buildings of reinforced concrete with thatched roofs. It passed through forested areas where many birds were singing and calling. It is nearly always on the side of a steeply sloping mountain, and frequently there were magnificent vistas through the trees, or across a farm to some mountain, or to the other side of the valley.
        We visited a monastery which Tse Ten told us is the oldest in Sikkim. It is seemingly deserted, but considerable restoration work is in progress. One building is constructed over a basement on a foundation of stone and mortar. The upper portion is of a framework of small timbers between which the structure is of willow-like twigs woven basket-like and plastered with mortar. This building is about the size of a single car garage, and is in excellent condition though it is estimated to be hundreds of years old. No doubt the thatched roof has been replaced many times. In two or three places the mortar had fallen away to reveal the basket-like structure.
        It was here we noticed some R. arboreum florets in a tree which was not tall, although the trunk was large. There appeared to be crotches and branches spaced to make climbing easy, so I climbed the tree and picked the truss. Evidently Tse Ten had never seen an adult climb a tree before because he referred to that incident throughout the remainder of our stay in Himalaya.
        Even at this leisurely pace, we arrived at Rumtek and the Dharma Chakra Centre in good time. The monastery is in beautiful condition, as it was completed in 1963 - only seven years earlier. It is said to be, as near as practical, a duplicate of the monastery in Tibet which it replaces. Photographs of this beautiful monastery may be seen in the National Geographic Magazine for November 1970. Tse Ten seemed to be on very friendly terms with all the monks and greeted them with friendly conversation. Before long we had made our way to the third floor and a small room about 10 feet square which seemed to be a sort of waiting room. Mr. Tashi removed his shoes and instructed us to do the same. We did not really know what was taking place.
        Soon one of the monks appeared at the doorway and said something to Mr. Tashi. He stepped across the narrow hallway and through a drapery covered doorway directly opposite. We saw him turn left and start to bow as the drapery swung back into place to block our view, but we heard the bump as his knees reached the floor. As soon as he had completed his obeisance, he pushed the drapery aside again and asked us to come in, stating that His Holiness was ready to receive us.
        Stepping into that room became one of, if not the most, memorable events of my life. The room is probably forty or fifty feet long and twenty feet wide. There were few furnishings in it, but it is beautiful in its simplicity. The floors are polished and everything is of the highest craftsmanship. Along the full length of the wall to our left are windows, floor to ceiling. There was no other source of light, but the room is excellently lighted. Little else about the room lodged in my memory because all attention was almost immediately focused on Gyalwah Karmapa, the lama we had come to meet. We bowed as we presented our white silk scarves and said, "Good morning, Your Holiness", just as Tse Ten had instructed us. Each scarf was taken in turn by His Holiness and immediately returned. At this point we each felt very much relieved because we had managed to present the scarves in good fashion and without the fumbling of the previous presentations.
        Soon we were seated with our backs to the windows, and His Holiness was engaged in happy conversation with Mr. Tashi. How we wished we could speak Tibetan! His Holiness stated through Tse Ten that he felt honored that we had come so far to visit him, and we replied through Tse Ten, our able interpreter, how pleased we were to be there. His Holiness talked at length with Tse Ten, frequently speaking to us through him. They would both talk rapidly and both would chuckle with amusement over their conversation. His Holiness is such a fascinating person that I did not divert my vision from him for a long time, and when I did a strange sensation came over me.
        As I looked away from him, I intended to gaze around the room, but my mind did not perceive what my eyes saw. My mind seemed only conscious that His Holiness was concurrently the source of a glowing white light and of an attraction like that of a magnet on a piece of iron. When I looked at His Holiness again he was the same handsome, appealing, smiling, tranquil human that had been sitting there on that wide couch at the end of the room when I looked before. To test myself, I looked away again, and again saw the glow and felt the pull.
        This impressed me so that I could not resist telling Tse Ten, who relayed it to His Holiness. I told him in different ways because the telling seemed inadequate to describe what I saw and felt. It was discussed at length and finally dropped from the conversation, though I continued to be conscious of and impressed by the experience.
        At one point Tse Ten said, "Come", and His Holiness smilingly nodded that we should go. We were taken out through one of the windows which is also a passage onto the roof of the floor below. At the side of the monastery facing the hill Tse Ten showed us some very special plants which he had planted there, but I have no memory of what they are. After a few minutes in the refreshing cool breeze, we returned to the presence of His Holiness to find tea and some cookies and nuts waiting for us. We really enjoyed these because it had been a long time since breakfast.
        After tea we again went out, and this time to the very top of the monastery to see a collection of rare birds. These evidently are the hobby of His Holiness, and every bird is of a beautiful golden color. They varied from small finch-like birds up to one which was maybe twelve inches long. The room in which they are kept is rather dark, but I did manage to get a good photograph of the largest one, a beautiful bird like a small parrot. Each is in its individual cage, and they are taken outside for sunshine and air each day. On the way to resume our audience, I asked Mr. Tashi if it would be permissible for me to ask to photograph His Holiness, to which he replied, "It would be quite appropriate."
        When we returned to the presence of His Holiness, Tse Ten told him that we wished to take his photograph. He readily consented to this, but I was disappointed because he assumed a facial expression of somber dignity for the camera, whereas he had been so pleasantly smiling as he talked with us.
        As His Holiness sat talking, he was twisting some red and then some green cloth in his fingers. After he had twisted for awhile, he would cut that portion of the cloth from the larger piece, and tie an unusual knot in the middle of it. When three of these had been prepared, Tse Ten bowed before His Holiness and a red one was placed around his neck. It was indicated that Jean should do the same, and a green one was placed around her neck. I was last and received a red one, which I started to tie in front as Tse Ten had done, and Jean followed his example. His Holiness called me back and tied mine for me. Later Tse Ten expressed amazement, first because a scarf had been presented to a female, and secondly because His Holiness called me back and tied mine for me. Tse Ten said that he had not witnessed nor heard of either of these before.
        All too soon we took our leave from His Holiness, returned to the little waiting room for our shoes, and departed from this sanctuary of peace and holiness. When we were in the jeep riding toward Gangtok, Mr. Tashi said to me, "We are of the same family." He and His Holiness had decided that my sensations were evidence that I am an incarnation of one of them! It is an intriguing and pleasant thought to me.
        We alternately rode and walked as we returned to Gangtok, and Tse Ten showed us more places where the woodcutters had destroyed R. arboreum for firewood. These rhododendrons the Chogyal had told us, do not grow from the roots when they are cut; thus there is concern that they may become extinct.
        Tse Ten had told his wife that we would return for lunch at one o'clock that day, but we arrived at four! We ate lunch and then just had time to return to our hotel room, wash, and return to the Tashi's for dinner, to which he had invited his second son.
        The following day was Sunday. We visited the Tashi's eldest daughter and her child at their apartment. Near the bazaar, we walked up the hill to visit his second daughter and her husband. They proudly displayed their new baby and served us orange juice - very welcome because the day was warm. All of these people are good looking, charming and hospitable. They speak excellent English and make one wish he could stay in Sikkim for a really extended visit.
        Sunday is market day, so we walked through the bazaar which was teeming with people and interesting merchandise. There were interesting pictures everywhere, but we were reluctant to take pictures of people without permission of those being photographed.
        Monday morning we visited the palace of the Dowager Queen. The gardens surrounding this Taktse Palace are beautiful, but we were permitted to take no pictures there. There is a very nice greenhouse, and everything shows evidence of a great interest in gardening. The Dowager Queen was indisposed, so we were unable to greet her. Next we went to the Royal Chapel at the palace of the reigning Chogyal. It was in this chapel that the royal wedding was performed and also the coronation. It is a small but regal place, and the repository for many holy Tibetan Buddhist articles. We walked around it three times clockwise before entering, as is the practice at such holy places and is done to bring good fortune. Perhaps it provides other benefits also, such as an ample opportunity to see the exterior, along with fresh air and a constitutional.
        The chapel and the Institute of Tibetology immediately adjacent were very interesting, but we were becoming so satiated with things entirely new to us that our memories of these details are poor. Now we want to return so these things can be really appreciated.
        We visited the government office building, where we went from office to office to meet the Prime Minister, the Secretary to His Majesty, the Secretary to His Majesty's estate, the Police Commissioner, the Conservator of Forests, and others. Mr. Kessop Pradhan, Conservator of Forests, served us tea and cookies in his office. Indirectly he was responsible for our being there, as it was he who had written to Mr. H. L. Larson. Mr. Pradhan told us more of his stay in the United States and of his activities related to his office in Sikkim. The largest item related to forestry at that time was herbs; the largest item there is cardamom.
        Our last day in Sikkim was extremely clear, so we took advantage of the opportunity to photograph Kangchendzonga, which is forty miles away on the Sikkim-Nepal border. It is the third highest mountain in the world, reputably the dome of deities and consequently a holy mountain, and a beautifully impressive peak. In the afternoon we visited the Tibetan Technical Institute for Cottage Industries, where many native crafts are taught. Beautiful gifts made at the Institute can be purchased there, and we took advantage of the opportunity.
        In the evening after dinner, Mrs. Tashi appeared with scarves and gifts. Jean received an Indian "jade" necklace, a Tibetan silver ring, and some very special woven cloth which had been presented to Mrs. Tashi by an important lama. She apologized because she only had a Tibetan silver ring and an antique Tibetan jade ring for me. No doubt the jade ring is very old and a family heirloom. I was moved and honored to receive it. The event was a bit trying because Mrs. Tashi wanted so much to talk to us and we to her. Chang flowed freely!
        We rose early the next morning, and found it necessary to work to get everything into our bags. When the hotel manager brought our tea, she said it had snowed up an the pass at Natula during the night. We had a quick breakfast with Tse Ten and boarded our jeep for the trip back to Darjeeling. The return trip was as long as the trip in (six hours), but much more interesting with Tse Ten as our guide. At Singtam we had some beer to quench our thirst. At Tista we had beer again and some lunch. Above Tista we stopped at the observation point where one looks down onto the confluence of the Tista and the Rangit Rivers.
        Near Ghum (pronounced Goom), only five miles from Darjeeling, Tse Ten spotted R. dalhousiae growing on the hillside above the road. Florets were five inches across and five inches long. They were very fleshy, light yellow in color, and quite fragrant. Leaves were eight inches long by two and one half to three inches broad. Soon after that we saw R. edgeworthii blooming in a garden and obtained permission to pick a branch. Nutmeg fragrance perfumed the area around the plant. The large white florets were beautiful, but had been damaged by rain and hail. Pollen and cuttings were taken for shipment home.
        The next morning some Indian fellows from Assam, staying at our hotel, invited us to accompany them as they hired a car for the day. Mr. Tashi was to be busy that day tending to some business matters, so we went. The first stop was the race track at Lebong, and then the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center nearby. A guide told us that 550 Tibetan refugees live here. They dye wool and spin it into yarn, using spinning wheels developed by Mahatma Ghandi. The yarn is knitted or tied into rugs. Knit items did not appeal to us, but we thought the rugs unusually beautiful. Tibetans do not use rugs as we do, but sleep on them. They are so thick and dense that they must be very practical for that use. Leather goods and wood carvings are also made here. The community kitchen is primitive by our standards, but very clean. Small loaves of bread had just been removed from the big clay oven when we arrived, and some was offered to us - it was excellent.
        We visited the processing plant of the Happy Valley Tea Estate. It is a rather large mill-type building with many racks for drying tea. The building is quite rough inside, but clean and orderly. There is much hand work done, but whenever machinery is the efficient means of production, special machines are employed. A native guide escorted us and explained the process throughout.
        On April 24 we went to Tiger Hill with Tse Ten as guide. Our quarry was rhododendrons. Plants were frequent but flowers scarce. We found one poor plant of R. lindleyi on which the flowers had been pummeled by rain and hail. Tse Ten showed us Cobra Lillies, which are certainly aptly named, and to us a real curiosity.
        At Ghum, Tse Ten and the driver went to the factory to purchase kukris, Ghurka knives, for Jean to give our sons. He said the price would be double if we went along. These are the knives, blade hooked with respect to the handle, which are standard equipment with Ghurka troops and which they use so effectively. The purchase price was slightly over 52.00 each when they were purchased this way.
        Nearer Darjeeling, Tse Ten saw R. dalhousiae growing on a hillside above the road. It was very steep as Himalayan hillsides are, but largely grass covered, so we managed to scramble up. There are perhaps three dozen plants in an area two or three hundred feet in diameter, and varied noticeably in quality. The best plants bore trusses of five or six florets, each five inches long by five inches across and very fleshy. Swelling buds were as green as the leaves and remained green until the lobes began to expand, when they faded to a rich creamy yellow. The florets were trumpet shaped and ultimately faded to almost white. Several plants bearing superior trusses were marked in the hope that seed might be available later, and one truss was taken to our hotel. That evening it provided a very attractive fragrance.
        Nearer Darjeeling, we called at the home of Mr. Sain, who is an artist and a rhododendron buff. He paints very unusual oil paintings of mountains, frequently with a stream or lake in the foreground. After one looks at one of these pictures, he may suddenly realize that some of the rocks in the water are actual rocks attached to the painting, the rocks are so carefully selected and so skillfully worked into the picture, that the effect is really startling when one realizes what he is seeing.
        Mr. Sain has written articles about "Rhododendrons of Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas" and presented us with reprints of the first two from the Journal of the Bengal Natural History Society. These are considered precious possessions and will be studied soon for comparisons with the descriptions which are accepted as official by the Royal Horticultural Society and the American Rhododendron Society.
        Our visit to Mr. Sain produced the only projector in Darjeeling which was available for us to project the slides of R. occidentale which were with us. That evening we returned to Mr. Sain's home where we spent several very pleasant hours seeing his exceptionally beautiful color slides of rhododendrons of Himalaya, and showing our slides of R. occidentale.
        The next day the Darjeeling Flower Show opened. In accord with tradition, Tse Ten Tashi was one of the judges. When we were finally admitted at three o'clock in the afternoon, we were greeted by the spectacle of a large hall about the size of a high school gymnasium, completely filled with floral exhibits. As is so often the case, it was too dark for photography, especially since it was a threatening day with intermittent showers. Flowers exhibited covered about the same range as one would see in a general flower show here. A fairly extensive group of exhibits of cacti indicates the urge for all gardeners to grow things which are foreign to the climate. The cacti were of a wide range of unusual species, and very attractively grown and displayed. Of course orchids were there in great profusion and variety. We were disappointed because R. dalhousiae appeared only twice, and one identified as R. azaleaflorum once - no other rhododendrons.
        The flowers which appeared most frequently were lilies. They were spectacular! Lilies are popular in Himalaya and grow very well there. When I asked Tse Ten where bulbs of the beautiful lilies he grew could be purchased, he replied, "They are more available to you than they are to me. The bulbs come from Holland."
        We had stayed two extra days in Darjeeling just to see the flower show, and agreed that we were amply rewarded for the extra time.
        The next day was a cushion in our schedule, so we felt very relaxed about time. right after lunch, Tse Ten stopped at the hotel with a jeep crammed full of potted orchids which he was taking to Gangtok. These were to decorate the palace in honor of a visiting dignitary from India. We parted company there from someone who had been our companion, host and guide for more than a week. As he drove away, we felt that a very dear friend was leaving, but that surely we would see him again before too long.
        That afternoon we took a very long walk to St. Paul's School to see the beautiful and well-known gardens there. It is high above most of Darjeeling, and provided us an outstanding panorama with the beautiful church and more colorful gardens in the foreground, Darjeeling below, and fleeting glimpses of the snows in the background as the clouds hurried by.
        We were interested at St. Paul's School to note that they have a problem raising flowers which we do not share. A burlap canopy is installed over their flowers until the middle of May because afternoon hail showers will strip the flowers if they are not protected.
        At 3:50 the next morning, the watchman knocked at our door, and when we woke we could hear the very hard rain. By 5:30 we were in our "transport", a four passenger sedan containing six persons, and starting the seeming interminable trip to Bagdoga and the Indian plain. It was still dark and raining hard, but we were pleased for the people of Darjeeling because they had told us that the city reservoir contained only enough water for two more days. The monsoons arrived early and were sorely needed. We were going home and happy to be going there, but already looking forward to returning to Himalaya.

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R. 'Trude Webster'
Harold Greer. Eugene, Oregon

R. 'Trude Webster' Photo by Harold Greer

        If you are one of those who feels that there could be nothing outstanding produced in a pink rhododendron I would have been the first to agree with you. That was until I saw the first bud unfold on the original seedling of R. 'Countess of Derby' selfed.
        The original plant must have been three or four years old and I remember the suspense in waiting for that first bud to open. We were particularly excited when this plant, which had always had such great foliage set its first buds. When it bloomed, as time has since proven, we were certainly not to be disappointed.
        R. 'Trude Webster' has large foliage of strong substance that is bright green and perky in appearance. It makes a sturdy plant with a pleasing habit, the kind of plant that can be enjoyed all year. The flower is of utmost perfection with a tight truss that is often one foot high in a true cone shape.
        It is a vigorous plant. It has been my experience that plants that are the product of selfing will often exhibit more vigor than their parents. R. 'Trude Webster' propagates readily, though it might take slightly longer to begin rooting than some. The plant should prove to be an ideal commercial variety as it thrives in field conditions and is reliable in setting buds.
        There are a couple further notes worth mentioning. Even though R. 'Trude Webster' will grow and flourish in full exposure, it will be found that the flowers will open and develop with greater beauty, and last longer if the plant is in partial shade. The other note concerns rooted cuttings. We have found it best not to force branching until the young plant develops a strong root system. It will then usually branch quite well on its own.
        R. 'Trude Webster' appears to be hardy to at least 0�F and possibly even more. We have seen it go through periods of slightly below zero without damage. All reports received from colder areas thus far have been encouraging. I do not remember mature buds ever being damaged by the winters in the Eugene area. Reports also have been good from the warmer areas of the country where it seems to excel.
        R. 'Trude Webster' looks like a rhododendron that is going to have a promising future.

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Our Front Cover R. 'Wheatley'
Fred Knapp, Locust Valley, N.Y.

        Rhododendron 'Wheatley' is one of the most popular pinks in the Northeast region. It is a clear light pink with a truss of impressive size when well grown. The color is vivid, even luminescent, yet combined with its frilled florets gives a soft cottony, overall texture. Mature plants of 'Wheatley' tend to be relatively low and wider than high. Plant habit is good, with quite adequate leaf density. The leaves are smooth with crisp edges, of a light green color which is faulted by some. Leaf color is more satisfying if not subjected to full midday sun.
        Many, including the author, have been heard to term it their favorite pink and refer to it as the best pink Dexter. Generally accepted as a Dexter, and often a prize-winner in Dexter classes at cut truss shows, 'Wheatley' is really no Dexter in the true sense. It is the best known result of a cross of 'Westbury' and 'Meadowbrook' made by Howard Phipps. Mr. Phipps is one of several of the original collectors of true Dexters on Long Island, and Westbury is one of the selected plants he obtained from the Dexter estate.
        'Westbury' and 'Wheatley' are among plants from the Phipps estate named by Paul Vossberg. From this intimate entanglement with Dexter plants and plant personalities, and from its characteristics as a rhododendron which seems to represent the peak of perfection we would expect in a pink Dexter rhododendron, a natural confusion has resulted in classifying 'Wheatley' as a Dexter. In this case, no harm and all honor was due to the Dexter name and to rhododendron 'Wheatley'.
        Since its introduction by the Westbury Rose Co. in 1958, 'Wheatley' has always been an outstanding competitor for the place of honor in gardens and in shows. Twice in recent years, the Best Rhododendron of Show award at New York Chapter cut truss shows has gone to 'Wheatley'. On garden tours at many smaller homes, as well as at outstanding collections, such as Dorothy and John Knippenbergs and Planting Fields Arboretum, 'Wheatley' will always make the crowd stop and gasp, and be one of the few plants remembered by name after the tour.

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R. 'Todmorden'
Fred Knapp, Locust Valley, N.Y. 

R. 'Todmorden' Photo by Miriam Dowd       at Planting Fields Arboretum

Selected by John Wister from the Dexter collection on the Scott estate in Wallingford, Penna., this plant was originally identified as Scott #1 by the Dexter committee. It received its name from the Scott Foundation. It is very successful in Pennsylvania and New Jersey gardens and is now spreading in the Long Island area. The flower is very nearly a bicolor, of strikingly intense pink and white. 'Todmorden' was appreciated by many ARS members at the 1971 Annual Meeting tours to the Tyler Arboretum and other gardens.

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Control of Phytophthora Root Rot (Wilt) of Rhododendron ¹
H. A. J. Hoitink and A. F. Schmitthenner ²
(Reprinted from American Nurseryman, February 1, 1972)

¹ Supported by the Cooperative Agreement No. 12-14-100-10, 640 (34) from the United States Department of Agriculture.
²Associate Professor and Professor, respectively, Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio, 44691 and The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210

        During the last decade Phytophthora root rot has become the most severe disease of rhododendron and certain other evergreens. The disease, referred to as rhododendron wilt, is present in most commercial growing fields in the United States and other parts of the world. White in New Jersey first described conditions favorable for root rot. These include high soil moisture and temperature. Plants on sandy soils, therefore, are generally not affected by root rot while those on poorly drained soils are. Temperatures are high in containers, therefore, drainage is even more important.
        Several growers have learned to avoid the disease in heavy field soils by growing plants on hills in rows or by improving drainage. A large percentage of plants grown in this fashion appear healthy when shipped, but die from root rot when exposed to high moisture and temperature conditions. We have found that feeder roots of such plants are infected with Phytophthora, but not severe enough to result in obvious foliage symptoms. Rhododendron root rot may have been introduced in this country in this fashion. Phytophthora now has spread across the western world on several plant types. The disease is known in parts of Australia and probably occurs in The Orient as well.

The Causal Organisms:
        Five Phytophthora spp. have been associated with the rhododendron root rot complex. Of these, P. cinnamomi is the most important. From plants grown in container media with an airspace of approximately 20% and excellent drainage (excess moisture drains out in less than an hour) only airborne Phytophthora spp., such as P. citricola and P. cactorum , have been isolated. These can be controlled by regular spray applications with Dithane M-45, Manzate D or Tersan LSR and related compounds. However, P. cinnamomi, is strictly soil-and water-borne and probably over winters in decaying roots in soils from which plants have been harvested. It is spread with infected soil on boots, equipment, and in water. Research by Rattink at Boskoop, in The Netherlands, has shown that zoospores may travel into a drainage tile at three foot depth in less than one hour from which they drain into irrigation water. Our field observations substantiate that much of the spread of Phytophthora results from movement of zoospores in water. Irrigation water, therefore, should not be taken from wells or streams into which run off water collects.
        Phytophthora cinnamomi has a wide host range. It has been isolated from azalea, Pieris, heather, Kalmia, Arctostaphylos sp., Cryptomeria sp. juniper, taxus and over 250 rhododendrons from different geographic locations throughout North America. Crop rotation using woody plants, therefore may not reduce the root rot problem. It is not known, however, whether a rotation with herbaceous crops like corn or rye would be effective.

Chemical Control:
        Chemical control of rhododendron root rot in an established planting is not possible at present. Laboratory and field studies with Dexon and Truban in the United States and The Netherlands failed to demonstrate control of the disease once established. Soil fumigation with methyl bromide does eradicate the fungus.
        It is important that the fumigant penetrates to the water table, which should be below the zone into which roots grow. A wet clay layer under peat beds is not penetrated by methyl bromide and allows spores to survive. After replanting of poorly-drained, fumigated beds Phytophthora zoospores are attracted by root exudates and swim into root zones. Since the natural soil inhibiting soil microflora has been removed by fumigation with methyl bromide, the disease causing fungus can spread more rapidly when it re-enters wet fumigated media. Therefore, peat beds should be well drained with a water table at least two feet below the surface. This can be accomplished with a layer of coarse sand and gravel below the peat. Walkways should be below the peat level in beds so that water in the walkways does not drain into the root zone.

Effect of pH:
        In the 1930's, White from New Jersey published that root rot could be reduced by growing rhododendrons in media with a pH of 4.5 - 5.0. Unfortunately at this soil pH, phosphorus is not sufficiently available for maximum plant growth. The optimum pH for growth varies with conditions but generally is from 5.5 - 6.5; a range where Phytophthora is not inhibited. A lower pH, even though it would minimize Phytophthora root rot losses, would not be a practical means of control for commercial operations.

PROGRAMMED DISEASE PREVENTION
        A critical step in the control of diseases of woody plants, in general, is the production of healthy rooted cuttings. The system described here has worked successfully over the past four years. Canadian or German sphagnum peat has provided excellent drainage and has a pH of 3.5 - 4.1 which checks the development of several pathogens. Aeration was improved by addition of perlite or Styrofoam and coarse sand. Phytophthora has not been isolated from rooted cuttings produced in such mixtures when the procedures outlined below were followed.
        Cuttings were free of soil, insects and disease before they were taken. Stock plants were sprayed routinely with Sevin or Malathion and Fore, Dithane M-45, Tersan LSR, or Manzate D. Once residues were washed off applications were repeated.
        Several cutting dip or soaking procedures are used by growers. Shell soil fungicide 345, Clorox, Captan and LF-10 are examples. Generally, it is not advisable to soak cuttings. Clorox breaks down in a single soak treatment, therefore, a new solution will have to be made for a second treatment. Furthermore, clorox does not kill plant pathogenic bacteria unless concentrations are used that will kill plant tissue. Soaking of cuttings can lead to spread of bacterial plant diseases; fireblight is an example. Dry cuttings should be sprayed with water so that hormone powders stick. Even dipping cuttings in water or hormone solutions may cause spread of disease organisms. Soiled cuttings should be avoided but if used, they should be washed in a waterbath that is overflowing continuously.

Propagation:
        All unpainted woodwork flats, baskets, as well as greenhouse benches were treated with 2 % copper naphthenate. When all the plants were out of the greenhouse the interior was treated with formaldehyde (1 part of 37% formaldehyde solution in 50 parts of water). The entire propagating area was sprayed and the greenhouse was kept closed for 24 hours, then aerated until all odor of formaldehyde was gone.
        The entire headhouse was sprayed under benches, painted woodwork, and walkways in the propagating house with a solution of 1 part LF-10 in 200 parts of water. This treatment was repeated every two weeks throughout the season. LF-10 is not effective in soil where large quantities or organic matter are present. All propagating tools were soaked (knives, soil levelers, etc.) for 10 minutes in a solution of 1 part of LF-10 in 50 parts of water, (Lehn & Fink Products Corp., 4934 Lewis Avenue, Toledo, Ohio). Propagating beds were filled with a new or sterilized medium. Sphagnum peat with coarse sand and perlite or Styrofoam was used. Treatment with airsteam at 160�F is recommended highly, although expensive.
        Experimental research on propagation of hardy rhododendrons under mist showed that the following hormone mixtures when used as a cutting dip resulted in a high percentage of disease-free rooted cuttings:
1) 10% Benlate 50% W.P. or 20% Mertect 60% W.P.
     2% IBA for red-flowered rhododendron or 1 % for pinks 
     88% Talc for reds or 89% for pinks
     50 ppm boric acid
2) 10% Benlate 50% W. P. or 20% Mertect 60% W. P.
     2 % IBA for reds or 15c for pinks
     50% Cut Start #4 (strongest type)*
     38% Talc for reds or 395c talc for pinks
     50 ppm boric acid

* Cut Start is available at Brighton Horticultural Supplies, 
Brighton By-Products Company, Inc., 
P. O. Box 23, New Brighton, Pa. 15066

Hormone mixture (#2) resulted in the formation of a large callus due to the addition of Cut Start, which may or may not be desirable.
        Cuttings were watered after "sticking" to assure contact between cuttings and medium. A combination of wetting agent (Aqua-gro or Tergitol) and Dexon 35% W.P. at 10 oz./100 gals. of water plus either 6 oz. of Benlate 50% W. P. or 6 oz. of Mertect 60 5 W.P. was used at 1 pint per square foot. The new fungicide Truban has been substituted for Dexon on cuttings and rooted cuttings, however its toxicity to unrooted cuttings is not adequately known. Preliminary data suggests that it is not toxic to cuttings under mist. The wetting agent helps distribute fungicides uniformly in the media. If plants other than rhododendrons are to be grown, experiment with the use of fungicides and wetting agents and treat only a limited number at first to determine whether injury will occur.

Protection During Rooting & Growing Time:
        All cuttings under mist were sprayed with Captan 50% at 2 lbs./100 gal. of water every two weeks and once a month with Sevin and/or Malathion. Misting was controlled so that plants dried after each application.
        After the mist was shut off and cuttings were transplanted, plants were sprayed with Sevin and/or Malathion and a fungicide such as Fore, Tersan LSR, Manzate D or Dithane M-45 (at 2 lbs./100 gals.) every three weeks to keep new growth covered. All wilted or diseased plants and cuttings were removed from the propagating and growing area and placed in a tight container to prevent spread of disease.
        Immediately after each potting or transplanting procedure, the Aqua-gro or Tergitol and Dexton at 10 oz. or Truban 30% W.P. at 6 oz./100 gals. of water plus either 6 oz. of Benlate 50 % W.P. or 6 oz. of Mertect 60% W.P. was repeated. All ingredients were mixed before application. One pint of the solution was used per square surface area. Containers were placed on gravel not plastic, since plastic allows rapid spread of zoospores from infected containers to surrounding healthy plants. 

DISCUSSION
        In the preceding section a combination of fungicides and sanitary procedures is described that prevents introduction of known important disease causing agents of rhododendron. In some parts of the country, such as the Pacific Northwest, relatively few disease problems occur other than Phytophthora root rot. This is largely due to the favorable climate for rhododendrons. In these areas a more relaxed fungicide program probably could be used. However, in the Midwest and New England states, low temperatures result in winter injury which leads to Botryosphaeria and other infections. In the southeast, Phomopsis causes dieback problems. In these areas an integrated fungicide-sanitation program, such as the one presented, is essential.
        The most critical factor for successful production of root rot-free rhododendrons is adequate drainage of the soil mix once the procedures outlined in the text are applied.
        Preliminary data show that the air volume of container media should be higher than 15% and preferably 20%, It is important that the air volume does not decrease in containers during the growing season due to breakdown of organic constituents. Root rot has not been encountered in nurseries where growth media contained more than 60% bark. The highest incidence of root rot occurred in container mixes with sawdust as the major constituent, especially if these were placed on plastic. This probably is due to the rapid breakdown of sawdust, as compared to bark, resulting in a decrease of air volume during plant growth. This in turn leads to higher moisture levels and increased root rot problems. Container mixes in which Michigan peat (muck) and sand are used, promotes root rot development, particularly if a fine sand is used. Addition of coarse sphagnum peat does not easily overcome this property of muck and sand mixes. Air volumes of 6-8% have been encountered in various mixes of these three ingredients. Mixtures of coarse sphagnum peat, coarse sand, and a finer grade sphagnum peat have an air volume of approximately 15%, depending on the proportion of the ingredients.
        Another important property of media is the time in which added water drains out of a saturated mix. Preliminary data show that a saturated bark mix loses added water in less than one hour if containers are on gravel. All bark types encountered on surveys were suitable for growth. It is not known whether some bark types might be better than others.
        Presently rhododendron hybrids and species are being screened for resistance. Differences in resistance have been found. It is expected that detailed data will not be available for two years. In addition, the drainage property of container mixes and its effect on Phytophthora root rot is under investigation.

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The Kiwis Are Coming Again
F. W. Mosher Jr., Mill Valley, California

        Our clarion call across the Pacific has been answered in New Zealand. Approximately fifty Kiwi rhododendron enthusiasts are expected to attend the American Rhododendron Society's convention being held in San Francisco April 26-30.
        Two tour groups have been scheduled, both providing for stopovers at the conference, first ever held in California. All will receive a warm welcome just as did the Kiwis who visited the West Coast in 1967.
        Members of the New Zealand Rhododendron Association, through arrangements made by the Union Travel Service, are making a round-the-world flight which provides for attending both the American Rhododendron Society national show and convention, April 26-28, as well as the Royal Horticultural Society annual show May 2. Professor J. S. Yeates, president of the New Zealand Rhododendron Association and Ronald Gordon, chairman of the Pukeiti Trust, are co-leaders.
        In explaining the interests of his tour group, Dr. Yeates writes: "Types of interest include most rhododendrons grown on the Pacific Coast, not much in evergreen azaleas, but considerable interest in deciduous azaleas and rising interest in Malesians. Several members of our party are breeding rhododendrons." All tourists in this group are either members of the New Zealand association or of the Pukeiti trust.
        The second New Zealand group will arrive in San Francisco on April 25 and spend six nights in San Francisco under arrangements made by Marion Steiner of the All Points Travel Service, San Mateo. Following the A.R.S. convention, visits are scheduled to Yosemite, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone national parks, inside passage cruise to Alaska, and Canadian Northwest scenic points. Attendance at the Eugene, Portland and Tacoma rhododendron shows have been scheduled.
        In San Francisco, the first group will register at the St. Francis hotel, and the second group at the Stewart hotel.

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R. keiskei 'Yaku Fairy'
Warren Berg, Kent, Washington

R. keiskei Yakushima, Japan Photo by Warren Berg

        It is certainly fitting that the rare prostrate form of the Japanese R. keiskei is found only on the highest reaches of the famous Island of Yakushima, the home of the remarkable R. yakushimanum. Finding this lonely little gem, blooming among the rocks, on what seemed the top of the world, with R. yakushimanum growing as far as the eye could see, was an experience and sight beyond description. This little plant is completely prostrate and mat forming, and the area it occupies is exceedingly small. Although collecting is prohibited by law, it is in real danger of becoming extinct.
        Mr. K. Wada has referred to this new form of R. keiskei as the "fairy" Rhododendron of Yaku. It has thus been appropriately named 'Yaku Fairy' by Mr. Barry Starling of England. Mr. Starling received the Award of Merit from the R.H.S. when his plant was shown for the first time in 1970. There is a complete description in the 1971 R.H.S. yearbook. It is interesting to note that Mr. Davidian, from Edinbourgh, confirmed the identity of this particular keiskei, but Captain Collingwood Ingram who is also very knowledgeable, considers it to be a new species ( R. trichocalyx).
        The original plant, which I also obtained from Mr. Wada about six or seven years ago, has remained prostrate in cultivation and is now approximately 15" in diameter and only about 3" high. It retains its fine looking foliage all winter and blooms three or four weeks after the popular dwarf form. This is fortunate for me because of the late spring frosts. Reports from the east would indicate it is also a more hardy form. Considering its native habitat, this is undoubtedly true. It is also easy to propagate, comes true from seed and starts blooming at an early age. I have made quite a few crosses that look very promising, particularly since many of the hybrid seedlings retain the prostrate habit of the parent.
        All the signs indicate that this little rhododendron will become a popular garden plant with Rhododendron enthusiasts, and in time, with the gardening public in general. It is being propagated and will be circulated before very long.

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Rock 57 Series Barbatum, S.s. Crinigerum
Cecil Smith, Aurora, Oregon

Series Barbatum, S.s. crinigerum Rock 57 Photo by Cecil Smith

        Several people with a broad knowledge of the species of rhododendrons, and particularly of the 1948 Rock numbers, say that in some numbers there is considerable variation. It is also said that some clones do not conform to the description of any species. The one pictured must be one of them, as I have been unable to get anyone to commit himself, other than to say that it has to be in the Crinigerum subseries, which is composed of crinigerum and bainbridgeanum.
        The original plant died, but there are cuttings and seedlings. The seedlings at two years of age still have immature leaves and they appear to be quite uniform, and similar to the parent plant. I have not seen any other plants of number 57.
        The outline of the leaves, as shown in the picture, fits more closely the description of bainbridgeanum than of crinigerum. However, the underside of the leaf has a thick, rich yellow indumentum like that of the best of the crinigerums, rather than the thin covering as described in the species book. A plant labeled bainbridgeanum which I saw in the Stevenson collection at the Valley Garden in Windsor Great Park, had the light indumentum as described. A picture taken also shows but six flowers in the truss, which conforms with the description in the species book. The plant of Rock 57 was about three feet high and five feet wide at twenty-three years, a growth habit conforming to that described for bainbridgeanum. It was smaller than other Rock numbers in our garden fitting the description of crinigerum. The branches are much less hairy than those of crinigerum, and have much less accumulation of discarded growth.
        The number of flowers in a truss approaches the number ascribed to crinigerum but not nearly so many as seen on other Rock numbers of the same species. The color in the picture is quite true.

FIG. 29. R . barbatum. This highly acclaimed species exhibits                   its blood-red flowers during February in the North-                   west. Eventually forming a small tree, R. barbatum                   is notable for its plum-red bark easily observed                   through its sparsely foliaged branches (Editor).                                          Cecil Smith photo

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A White R. calophytum
Cecil Smith, Aurora, Oregon

White R. calophytum Photo by Cecil Smith

        This plant. was given to me by Mrs. A. C. U. Berry about twenty years ago and was perhaps ten years old at that time. It was taken from a group of twenty or thirty which Mrs. Berry had raised from seed. I understand that most of her plants were grown from seed collected in their native habit. Some of the leaves attain a length of sixteen inches. The trusses on this plant are more upright than those on most clones of this species. The corollas have the typical deep purple flare. The main part of the flower opens white, while the flowers of the other three plants in our garden open from various shades of pale pink to pale lavender, as do most of those elsewhere that I have observed. A calophytum in the garden of Mrs. Rudolph Henny has blooms with quite red pedicels and is very attractive. Like the corollas in the Falconeri and Grande Series, those of calophytum grow larger for several days after becoming fully opened.
        In the late spring when the leaves expand upright with a passing flaky, silver indumentum, they are especially attractive. Later, the mature heads of leaves form huge funnels until cold weather, when they relax and point down at about a forty-five degree angle. In freezing weather they curl up tight, and the simple sturdy branching habit is displayed. I can think of no other plant with such dramatic changes in appearance, as the seasons of the year pass.

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Rhododendron aureum: A short Photograph Album*
Frank Doleshy, Seattle, Washington
* Republication rights reserved by the author.

        After observing Rhododendron aureum at only two locations in Japan, and not during the flowering season, Mrs. Doleshy and I can hardly pose as experts on this species. Indeed, we have seen only a minute portion of its vast range from western Siberia to the islands off the north coast of Japan, and our knowledge of the plant has largely come from an excellent account in the October, 1970, issue of this Bulletin: "Four Asiatic Rhododendrons", by Vladimir Vasak, CSc.
        The only real reason for writing this note is the scarcity of published photographs showing the species as it grows in the wild. Aside from two such photos in the above mentioned article, we have only seen one in a Swedish publication and one in a Japanese publication. This concerns us, because, when trying to prepare a hospitable growing site for a particular species in our garden, we find that such shots of wild plants are usually the best source of ideas. Therefore, we present these with the hope that they will help other growers.
        First, concerning the name, Mr. Vasak points out that R. aureum is correct, since it was published first, although " R. chrysanthum" is widely used. The latter seems to have become an entrenched tradition in Britain, but R. aureum is used in recent publications from Japan, and it is perhaps best to start with the right name while the plant is still rather scarce and little-known in this country.
        Our two observations were at Mt. Tateyama and Mt. Norikura, respectively located at the north and south ends of the Hida Mountain Range, or "Northern Alps". (See Jan. 1972 issue for location map.) In both places, the specialized life-zone was new to us and not at all like the wind-denuded ridges of Yakushima or the alpine meadows of NE Honshu. Here in the Hidas, at elevations above 8,000 feet or so, one sees splotches of blackish-green color on the mountain slopes, separated by areas of bare rock or thin, grassy vegetation. From a mile or two away, the contrast is so sharp that the splotches almost appear to be artificially painted; they consist of Pinus pumila and associated plants including the R. aureum.

FIG. 38. Ridges above 8,000 feet, with Pine thickets,                          Mt. Tateyama, October 19, 1971.

FIG. 39. R. aureum seed capsules, Mt.         Norikura, 8920 feet, October 24, 1971.      FIG. 40. Cushion of R. aureum, Mt.                     Norikura, 9060 feet.

        At these places, the Pine is usually from ankle-high to chest-high, and occasionally to 6 or 7 feet. The R. aureum may be mixed in, appearing as a creeper on taller rocks or the steep parts of the slope or it may form cushions as much as 8 or 10 feet across, beside the Pine thicket (Fig. 40). Also, it seems able to thrive at heights and exposures where the Pine starts to falter. In these high thickets, the Rhododendron may not really be an under story plant, and it is sometimes as dominant as the Pine in the local community. However, we did not see it anywhere more than 15 or 20 feet from the Pine.
        Hearing about these thickets, people naturally try to think of them as something like an ordinary Pine forest, with layers of decaying needles on the ground. However, there is no real similarity. The little Pinus pumila can only produce a small volume of needle drop, and this is likely to be carried off by the wind. Therefore, instead of a forest-floor cushion underfoot, one finds a tight community of sub-shrubs and herbaceous plants. With the R. aureum, we usually saw Gaultheria miqueliana and the Lingonberry, Vaccinium vitis - idaea, together with the round, shiny, maroon or bright-red leaves of Shortia soldanelloides. Also, high on Mt. Norikura, other companion plants were the rather rare Arcterica nana and the heather-like but black-berried Empetrum nigrum. Moreover, when visiting this biotic community, it was impossible to ignore the ptarmigans, which were in process of changing to their winter plumage and practically underfoot.
        Both of these places truly needed a second visit. However, on Tateyama, we were defeated by road rebuilding when we tried to go up again from the opposite side of the mountain range. And, on Norikura, our second try had to be called off when the new snow at 6000 feet was too deep to push through. Therefore, additional observations must await another trip.

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University of British Columbia Rhododendron Species Collection
Roy L. Taylor, Director, U. B. C. Botanical Garden*
* Reprinted from University of British Columbia News Service.

FIG. 41. Rhododendron taliense, the first                 Rhododendron to set roots in the                 nursery, is given thorough and                 expert treatment by Dr. Hender-                 son (left) and President Gage.

        On September 27th, the new Botanical Garden nursery was officially opened in the south campus of the University of British Columbia. The development marks the first major achievement of the new Botanical Garden program initiated in 1969. The nursery will be devoted to the propagation of new material for other garden components soon to be developed. In addition, the nursery will house the foundation collection of Rhododendron species.
        To commemorate the opening of the nursery, Dr. Douglas M. Henderson, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, planted the first Rhododendron of the species collection in the new site. The species was Rhododendron taliense, a plant obtained from the Younger Botanic Garden of Scotland in 1965. This species will be joined by nearly 300 additional species of the Rhododendron Species Collection at U.B.C.
        The University Botanical Garden Rhododendron Species Collection was initiated in 1952 by Dr. T.M.C. Taylor and Dr. J. W. Neill when plans were made to bring a major collection of plants from the Royston Nursery on Vancouver Island. During 1952 and 1953, the owners of Royston Nursery, Ted and Mary Greig, donated 1,000 rhododendrons to the University of British Columbia. The collection was placed in a nursery sited in what is now Parking Lot A. The rhododendrons were used for both research and landscaping purposes on the campus.
        In 1964, the University entered into an active program with the Rhododendron Species Foundation which resulted in the establishment of many new species in the collection. Recently, a new program has been initiated between the Botanical Garden and Vancouver Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society for the purpose of stimulating interest in rhododendron species and to enable the acquisition of species lacking in the collection. It is hoped that with the aid of these co-operative programs, the U.B.C. Botanical Garden can develop one of the most important collections of species suitable for cultivation in north temperate regions.
        1967-68, the Rhododendron Species Collection was moved to the Department of Physical Plant nursery in the south campus. Plants were maintained in the nursery until the development of the Botanical Garden nursery was complete. All rhododendron species will be transferred to the Botanical Garden nursery for foundation stock. Hybrids will be maintained and propagated by the Department of Physical Plant for use in landscape plantings on campus. The Botanic Garden species collection will be used for research, teaching, breeding and propagation of new plant material. A special display garden will be established in the 30acre Marine Drive Garden in the new garden development on the main campus. Rhododendrons will continue to form an important landscape element on the Point Grey campus.
        The new major garden development will be the initiation of the Alpine Garden in the spring of 1972.

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PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER BRONZE MEDAL
AWARD CITATION ALFRED S. MARTIN

FIG. 42. Alfred S. Martin, Eastern Vice-President A.R.S. (right)                 receiving Bronze Medal Award from Emerson A. Reed,                 President Philadelphia Chapter (left) October 17, 1971.                               Photo by Wilbert Cressman

        For many years you have exhibited a profound interest in the genus Rhododendron, including both species and hybrids, extending from their propagation to their culture, from their dissemination to their display.

For numerous shows, exhibits and programs you have contributed extensively of your resources, ranging from plant material to planning, from physical labor to presentations and from general overall support to encouragement of others.
        For the benefit of the Society you have given extensively of your time and energy at the chapter, regional and national levels. At each of these scenes your experience, knowledge and sagacity have led to wise council, outstanding leadership and the success of their programs.
        For these many qualities, the Philadelphia Chapter is pleased to express its appreciation of your endeavors, and in symbolism thereof extends to you Alfred S. Martin, the Bronze Medal Award of the American Rhododendron Society on this seventeenth day of October, 1971.

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Iron Deficiency in Rhododendrons
P. B. Orr, Jr., Knoxville, Tennessee

        As any new seriously interested rhodie fancier must do, I have avidly devoured all the literature on the subject I could find in this area. One of the first things learned was the recognition of the symptoms of iron chlorosis, as shown by the yellow leaf with dark green veins.
        For the last three years I have tried my hand at raising rhodies under lights, using A.R.S. Seed Exchange products, and hopefully each year using improved techniques and better results. This past spring, several species and hybrid seeds were planted. some of these were the Smith-Mossman R. occi dentale seeds which germinated and have done well. Periodically, all the seedlings were treated with a homemade fertilizer concoction, for growth inducement.
        When the plants were about one and a half inches high, the symptoms of iron deficiency in the leaves of the oc cidentale seedlings became apparent, before it showed up in the evergreen rhodie seedlings. It progressed rapidly enough that a few plants died before the treatment with chelated iron was effective.
        Reflection on this chlorosis made the fertilizing technique suspect, since it appeared rather suddenly, and since it would seem that there should have been enough trace iron in the peat and river sand mixture to amply supply these little plants.
        The fertilizer was a solution approximately two and a half percent nitrogen (ammonia form), phosphorus, and potassium, with the pH on the acid side. This was diluted to a very weak solution before being used on the tender plants. Of the three elements contained in the mixture, only the phosphorus appeared capable of precipitating (tying up) the iron so that it was unavailable for plant assimilation.
        Some of the information available to the amateur has indicated that besides the usefulness of ferrous sulfate as an acidifying agent, it was reported to be also useful in the treatment of iron deficiency. This was questioned when a small portion of the rhodie garden was treated with ferrous sulfate to rectify an acidity problem where leaves and brush had been burned a year or two previously, and where a few 4 or 5 year old plants have turned up with chlorosis. These plants also had received an annual super phosphate treatment each October for bloom stimulation.
        As the result of these experiences, a few simple tests were made in the laboratory to determine whether commercial 5-10-5 fertilizer and triple super phosphate would precipitate iron from solution.
        Ten grams of the 5-10-5 fertilizer and ten grams of triple super phosphate were boiled in separate beakers of water to leach out the soluble components, then filtered from the insoluble filler. The pH of the 5-10-5 solution was 4.0, and the super phosphate 2.5. The insoluble filler from the 5-10-5 fertilizer contained small eighth inch pebbles which turned out to be calcium carbonate (either limestone or marble granules).
        Two 1 gram portions of ferrous sulfate were dissolved in small amounts of water. One 1� gram portion of the filtered solution of the 5-10-5 fertilizer was mixed with one gram of ferrous sulfate, resulting in the formation of a heavy precipitate of ferrous phosphate. When the filtered super phosphate was mixed with the ferrous sulfate. a similar precipitate was formed.
        The above tests were made assuming that the iron in the soil was the ferrous form (II valence) and not ferric (III valence). This assumption was made due to the presence of much organic matter in the soil which can act as a reducing agent. However, since ferric iron is very stable and since much of the iron ores found in nature are ferric, the previously described tests were repeated using ferric sulfate instead of ferrous sulfate. The results were the same, with copious quantities of ferric phosphate being precipitated.
        As a final test, an iron chelate (FeDTPA) was investigated under the same conditions, replacing the ferrous and ferric sulfates. NO iron was precipitated from solution, showing no unusable phosphate of iron was formed.
        From the rhododendron iron deficiency experience and from these described tests, it is my conclusion that when a chemical fertilizer containing phosphorus is used on rhododendron plants, a subsequent treatment of iron chelate should also be used to prevent these plants from becoming chlorotic. One phosphorus treatment may not cause a deficiency, but it is my belief that problems will arise sooner or later. Most garden centers stock a DTPAFe chelate which will do the job nicely.
        The fact that the insoluble filler of the 5-10-5 "acid form fertilizer suitable for azaleas and camellias" turned out to also contain calcium carbonate will cause me to investigate future fertilizers more thoroughly. Although the soluble portion of the fertilizer was acidic, the long term effects were the opposite, due to the calcium carbonate granules. The acids in the soil will slowly leach the pebbles, actually raising the pH of the soil. If a fertilizer label does not indicate what the filler is, the salesman is not apt to know either. In areas of the country where soil alkalinity is already a problem, there is no advantage to compounding difficulties. The proper filler for a good "azalea" fertilizer should be silica sand, which has neither acid or alkaline long term effects.

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The Windsor Hybrids
A new group of Deciduous Azaleas
James S. Wells, Middletown, N. J.

FIG. 43. Typical flower truss of a Windsor Hybrid. This is a deep                 carmine rose with an orange flare. Photo by J. S. Wells

FIG. 44. Broad individual flowers and full                 round trusses are typical of most                 Windsor Hybrids. This is a bright                 clear yellow. Photo by J. S. Wells.

        As you read this title I can hear you say, "What, another group of Deciduous Azaleas? How many more are we going to get?" Let me explain what the Windsor group is and how it came about and then you can be the judge.
        In May of 1970 my wife and I paid a visit to England with the intention of looking at as many Deciduous Azaleas as we could. We went to the Exbury Gardens and saw some beautiful material there. We went to Hilliers Nursery and selected some more and towards the end of our trip, without any particular purpose in mind, we went to visit the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park. We were there about the first of June and the Azaleas for which the gardens are famous were at the peak of perfection-and what perfection! Mass upon serried mass of many of the old hybrids interspersed with bold groups of a spectacular new range of large flowered hybrids in every imaginable color. What made these plants different to the recognized standard varieties? As we walked around the gardens it seemed to me that the flower form was generally speaking, superior. Now I say "generally speaking" because there is no question that in the Exbury and the Knap Hill as well as the Ilam groups there are plants of exceptional merit. These plants are at the top of the whole range. But looking over the large number of plants flowering in the Savill Garden there seemed to be many plants of this exceptional caliber. Plant after plant exhibited the fine round, bold, fully filled truss, and this combined with the clarity of the colors produced plants of unusual excellence. The yellows were a pure clear yellow, the whites shined with a brilliant whiteness, the reds were startling in their clarity and in addition many of the plants had a most attractive two-tone affect. As each large truss began to open the buds were, in every instance, a deep pink, but when the flowers opened they might be a clear yellow or clear white. The combination of developing buds together with the adjacent opened flowers was most unusual. Naturally enough in walking around the gardens we looked at the name tags hanging on the plants and all that we could find was the simple statement - Windsor Hybrids. Later on we met John Bond, who has since become the Joint Keeper of the Gardens following Sir Eric Savill's retirement. Mr. Bond gave us some background on these plants.
        The Savill Garden was commenced about 1932 and after some years a group of Azaleas was acquired from the Exbury estate of Lionel de Rothschild. These came as seedlings unnamed and were planted in various parts of the Savill and Valley gardens. As the development of the gardens proceeded the need for additional plants was clear and it was decided that they should commence to raise some of their own from seed. Mr. Findlay, now the other Joint Keeper, who was then in charge of the gardens under the direction of Sir Eric Savill, began to cross some of the best of the Exbury seedlings which had now developed into fair sized plants. Following the lead given by Lionel de Rothschild, Mr. Findlay selected exceptional plants and crossed two which had unusual qualities of color, size of bloom, or any other quality he considered desirable. The seed was sown, the seedlings brought to flowering stage and then only the outstanding and unusual plants which clearly showed in the mass of the seed beds were selected. The young seedlings were held for three or four years to insure that all would flower but from perhaps a batch of 10,000 seedlings not more than 50 might be selected and these plants were moved into the Savill and Valley Gardens. This careful process of bringing together exceptional parents, raising a batch of seedlings and then selecting with great care the outstanding plants in each batch has now continued for a period of 25 years or more. Plants grown and selected in this way for planting in the Savill Garden and the nearby Valley Gardens can be seen in all stages of development from newly planted stock not more than 15" high to massive plants 10 to 12 feet high and wide which were some of the original selections. Now it would be ridiculous to suggest that all of the plants segregated in this manner have proved to be outstanding. They have not and there are a number of plants growing in the Gardens which may have excellent flower quality but which are not very good growers. There are others which grow beautifully but which do not produce exceptional flowers. But finally, of course, there is a group, which, over the years, has clearly indicated many outstanding qualities. These are indeed exceptional plants in both vigor and quality of growth, size and purity of flower combined with first class flower form. It is these plants which we believe to be worthy of introduction to horticulturalists everywhere. With this in mind, therefore, we discussed the matter with Mr. Bond and at first he and Sir Eric were doubtful of the wisdom of introducing yet another group of Deciduous Azaleas. Eventually, however, we were able to persuade them that if selections were made with great care and these in turn were carefully retested under varying climatic conditions we felt sure there was a hard core nucleus of really outstanding plants which would be a joy to grow and a pleasure for any horticulturalist wherever he might be.
        In the Spring of 1971, therefore, my wife and I returned to the Windsor Great Park and with the help of Mr. Bond we selected a group of about 30 outstanding plants from the many thousands of seedlings available. As it turned out many of these came from some of the later crosses for we eventually decided that these were among the best available. Cuttings were brought back as part of our personal luggage and with careful preplanning and excellent cooperation from the U.S.D.A. officials at Kennedy airport these cuttings were passed through the quarantine in 20 minutes and early the next morning were inserted in our propagation benches. As might be expected we found a wide variation of root-ability in this group but only one of the 30 plants selected has not rooted at all. This variety will almost certainly have to be discarded but we do have rooted cuttings of all the remainder and these will be carefully grown through the winter, given artificial light to ensure top growth and we expect to have additional cuttings from them so that by next spring we should have a good working nucleus for future growing on and testing. This testing is going to be as vigorous and as careful as we can make it and we will be quite satisfied if we can select say five really outstanding plants from the 30 we brought over. There is no question, therefore, that these plants will not be available for some time because it is part of our understanding with the management at Windsor that they are not prematurely offered to the horticulture fraternity in this country. Everyone wants to be quite certain that when the Windsor Hybrids are finally available they are indeed as good as we believe they are. This then is the background of these beautiful plants.
        It seems to me that once again we are fortunate to be able to enjoy the results of quite an exceptional degree of horticultural skill and judgment. The process which has produced the Windsor Hybrids is essentially the same process which was used 100 years or more ago in England to produce the iron clad Rhododendrons which have yet to be superseded as the mainstay of the Rhododendron world here in the eastern United States. At that time tens of thousands of seedlings were produced by knowledgeable plants men and slowly and most carefully judged to produce the few varieties we still grow and enjoy. This system seems to be unique to English horticulture and I suppose that only an establishment like the Savill Garden could carry out such a process in the middle of the 20th century. It is greatly to their credit and to the credit of Sir Eric Savill and Mr. Findlay that this process was carried on for we believe that the result has been outstanding and exceptional. Time will show whether their judgment and ours is correct but in the meantime we will welcome a visit from anyone who is interested in any of these plants and would care to come to the nursery in flowering time to see them.

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Rhododendron Culture Expanded at Tyler
G. E. Landt, Norristown, Pa.

FIG. 45. Planting of the new Rhodo-                dendron Display Garden at                Tyler Arboretum.

        1971 saw the initiation of a joint venture of the Philadelphia and Valley Forge Chapters, A.R.S. to establish a display and test garden, centrally located as to geography and climate on the Eastern Seaboard.
        This venture has been promoted with the cooperation of the Tyler Arboretum, located at Lima Pennsylvania. This location is about twenty-five miles southwest of Philadelphia. This location is exceptionally advantageous as it is easily accessible from U.S. 1 which in turn provides easy connections north and south through United States 95.
        The treasures harbored by this garden, and its extensive facilities were described by Gertrude Wister (Quarterly Bulletin, A.R.S., April, 1971). Those who visited Tyler during the annual meeting in Philadelphia are no strangers to its unique fitness to become a Rhododendron center of supreme importance; educationally to the public at large, and particularly to the rhododendron specialist.
        For those not acquainted with its merits, let us visualize a gently rolling terrain, lightly wooded in some areas, adequate protection against winds, a soil eminently suited for the growing of Ericaceae plants and a climate median between zones 5 and 6.
        In short its situation and location are most advantageous for growing, observing and testing a wide spectrum of rhododendron varieties.
        We have been most fortunate in enlisting the skill of Ross Davis, a prominent landscape architect in laying out an attractive plan and Dr. Franklin West from his wide experience has laid out patterns of planting that will present a happy combination of colors and seasons of bloom.
        The main object of the display garden is to present to the interested public the great variety and beauty of these rhododendrons indigenous to the Eastern Seaboard; to whit, from North Carolina to Maine, and west to the Alleghenies.
        The Chapters propose to place special emphasis on these plants developed by the Eastern hybridizers; to whit, the Gables, the Nearings, the Dexters and others.
        The garden proposes also to introduce Eastern enthusiasts to the possibilities inherent in those rhododendrons developed on the West Coast. Many west coast varieties are eminently suited for the Eastern Specialist but there exists an inherent timidity to undertake their cultivation as the costs of shipment are high and the areas of environmental acceptance are more demanding. The garden proposes to establish helpful guide lines for those who venture into this area.
        At this writing (January 1972) the area is about one fourth planted. By Springtime we will have established well over a hundred plants, with many more still to go; but by Bi-Centennial time (1976) we should have a garden developed that will attract national interest.
        At present the major effort is with the display garden. As rapidly as time and money permit, a test garden will be established along the accepted lines of procedure outlined by the National Council in 1959.

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Rhododendrons at Pirianda Olinda, Mt. Dandenong
A. W. Headlam, Bentleigh, Australia

FIG. 46. Part of the extensive rock-garden at Pirianda in which                   conifers and a wide collection of dwarf plants are                   grown.

        Pirianda (native word for sufficient), the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Ansell, is located in the Dandenong ranges some thirty miles east of Melbourne.
        The elevation ranges from 1,500 feet, the highest point at the entrance gate to 1,200 feet at the lowest extremity of the garden. The fall of the land is approximately one in four, and the road from the entrance gate winds through an area under grass planted with specimen trees, which should, as they mature, provide interest and beauty, as they have been planted with emphasis upon those producing good color in the fall, amongst which are Franklinia alatamaha, Nyssa sylvatica and Lindera triloba from the U.S.A., and a fairly recent introduction from China, Rehderodendron macrocarpum, a fine small deciduous tree.
        As the road nears the house it turns sharply, and on the inside of the bend, which is enclosed by rock-walls built from stone collected on the property, is a magnificent planting of Mollis Azaleas, 'Koster's Brilliant Red', 'Dr. Oosthoek', through the orange, yellows and pinks, and these also make a brilliant display in the late fall, when the leaves turn to scarlet and russet shades before they finally fall to the ground.
        The garden, in all, covers an area of twenty acres, and the rich, acid, volcanic well drained soil, combined with a rainfall of some fifty inches, spread fairly evenly over the year, is particularly suitable for the growing of ericaceous plants.
        Soil was bulldozed from the hillside to provide a flat area upon which to build the house, in fact, this is probably the only flat piece of ground in the whole twenty acres.
        An extensive rock-garden occupies an area in front of and along one side of the house, and it has been planted with dwarf conifers and prostrate growing plants, dwarf rhododendrons, Daphne cneorum, Daphne genkwa, alpines and bulbs so as not to restrict the magnificent views of the garden and valley below, which may be seen from the large plate glass windows extending along one side of the house.
        The property was purchased by the present owners in 1959, so that in the main it is quite a young garden, fortunately however, there was already present a nucleus of mature trees planted by the previous owners. These include a fine row of eleven Copper Beeches ( Fagus sylvatica 'Cuprea'), mature specimens of various conifers, of particular beauty being Picea smithiana, the West Himalayan Spruce, with its soft drooping branches, some deciduous trees, and a number of old hybrid rhododendrons, the largest of which is 'Broughtonii', about twenty five feet in height. It makes an attractive sight when in flower, and has a massive trunk which divides into multiple branches a few feet above the ground.
        An impressive background to the whole garden is provided by the fine stands of Blackwoods ( Acacia Melanoxylon), and Mountain Ash ( Eucalyptus regnans), the latter growing true and straight to 200 feet and more before they branch out, and are exceeded in height only by the Californian redwoods.
        A walk around the garden, commencing at the house, leads downwards past the Mollis Azaleas, and on crossing the road, there is another large rock-garden, again built from rock collected on the property, the same source having supplied the stone used in the extensive and attractive rock-walling seen throughout the garden.
        On a slope above the rock-garden is a planting of rhododendrons, and one which attracts considerable attention is a lovely well rounded plant of 'Alison Johnstone', with its profusion of apricot shaded flowers, and in the background two outstanding pinks, each carrying enormous trusses, 'Coronation Day', which appreciates a sheltered position, and 'Sir Frederick Moore', a R. discolor hybrid which is not so demanding as regards shelter; these are set off to advantage by a plant of R. vernicosum, with its attractive seven-lobed white flowers with crimson markings.
        The path then leads downwards, and a large specimen of Pieris forrestii comes into view, its new foliage in brilliant shades of scarlet. A small crystal clear stream is then crossed, and its banks have been planted with Primula japonica which hybridize and increase naturally, their feet are continuously wet and they make an attractive foil for a bank of Kurume Azaleas which have been planted along a rock wall following the stream; a highlight is a group of Acer palmatum 'Dissectum Atropurpureum' which overhang the rock wall, and on a slope in the background are a group of Exbury Azaleas, which flower later than the Mollis, and their blaze of color can be seen from a number of vantage points in the garden.
        A well graded path leads down the slope, on both sides of which are plantings of rhododendrons, Ajuga reptans has been used very successfully as a ground cover on slopes too steep to plant with grass for mowing and their spikes of blue flowers make an attractive background for rhododendrons in the white, cream and yellow tonings, 'China', R. wardii, R. wightii and two attractive small growing species, R. hanceanum var. nanum, only six inches high and covered with small yellow flowers, R. valentinianum another compact small growing plant, covered also with bright yellow flowers, and in the background, a large specimen of 'Alice Street', set off to advantage against the blue Ajuga, and probably one of the best yellow hybrids in the garden.
        Then along the rock-walls, R. campanulatum var., aeruginosum, a small plant which has not yet flowered, but R. campanulatum var. 'Knaphill' has produced flowers of a pleasing shade of lilac, and R. parmulatum, with foliage dark green above and glaucous below, is another imported plant yet to flower, R. bullatum, Series Edgeworthii, with its unusual dark green bullate foliage and funnel shaped white flowers flushed pink, makes an interesting contrast, and a compact growing hybrid, 'Helene Schiffner', with its profusion of glistening white flowers completes the picture.
        Two forms of R. tephropeplum growing side by side provide an interesting contrast, one with the usual lavender pink flowers, and the other form with somewhat smaller flowers shaded much deeper in color, and along the edge of the rock wall, a group of small growing species, R. beanianum with bristly stems and broad leaves, covered below with an attractive reddish brown wooly indumentum and long tubular bright red flowers, followed by R. caloxanthum with leaves dark green above and pale glaucous green below carrying long yellow flowers, R. glaucophyllum with lanceolate aromatic foliage and small pale rose colored flowers, and finally, R. haematodes, a dwarf shrub carrying a profusion of long tubular glistening scarlet flowers. It has been used fairly extensively for hybridizing, its most famous progeny no doubt, being 'May Day', but 'Grosclaude', (R. eriogynum x R. haematodes), which flowers a little later, is a far better plant both as regards flowers and foliage, then follows a very good form of 'Royal Flush', with large cream flowers shaded deep pink, ideally sited on a rock wall where one can look up at the flowers, and nearby R. cinnabarinum with its long tubular cinnabar-red flowers, somewhat resembling those of a Lapageria, and finally, the result of crossing R. cinnabarinum var. roylei with 'Royal Flush', the attractive 'Lady Chamberlain' with its tubular orange flowers carried in profusion.
        A spray of 'Royal Flush' usually figures prominently in the competitive section of the Australian Rhododendron Society's annual show at Olinda each November.
        As previously mentioned, the slopes at Pirianda are quite steep, and it is apparent that a considerable amount of thought has been given to the laying out of the garden, resulting in the gentle slopes of the paths leading down to the bottom of the garden, however, on the way back, perhaps the slopes do seem a little steeper!

FIG. 47. Irroratum var. 'Polka Dot'.                     Photo by Dr. Carl Phetteplace

        By the side of the stream and under a canopy of Blackwoods and tree ferns are a number of the large-leafed species, R. grande looking particularly impressive with its large leaves and attractive new growth, R. fictolacteum flowering for the first time, and R. hodgsonii, Series Falconeri, with its broad dark green leaves, covered below with fawn indumentum and attractive magenta colored flowers. One of the interesting characteristics of this species is the smooth reddish-brown bark which peels from the trunk. Other interesting members of the large-leafed species which flowered this year were R. calophytum, R. sutchuenense and R. protistum, and a species which is unusual and not often seen, R. irroratum 'Polka Dot', with its heavily spotted flowers, then a very fine plant of 'Loderi Pink Diamond' in full bloom, a rhododendron which is often somewhat shy in flowering, and a well rounded plant of 'May Day', glowing in the morning sunshine against a background of the blue spikes of the Ajuga.
        These are followed by 'Tally Ho', and an eye catching hybrid with enormous trusses of soft pink, 'The Master', a 'China' x 'Letty Edwards' hybrid raised by W. C. Slocock.
        Walking around the garden, each turn of the path reveals new vistas and more rhododendrons to admire; in a corner of a rock wall, the small growing 'Elizabeth Hobbie' with its brilliant scarlet flowers, and nearby another dwarf species, R. chamaethompsonii S. Neiriiflorum, S.s. Forrestii, with ovate leaves, glabrous below, carrying trusses of from one to four bright crimson flowers. The prostrate growing R. forrestii var. repens, in the same Series and Subseries, is quite difficult to grow, and rarely seen in the Dandenongs.
        Along another walk are banks of R. williamsianum whose attractive foliage and clear shell pink flowers in loose trusses are always a source of admiration; unfortunately, this species is almost impossible to grow away from the ideal climate of the Dandenongs.

FIG. 48. R. nuttallii which always attracts attention.

        The garden contains many species in the Maddenii Series and Subseries, R. nuttallii growing particularly well is a focal point of attention with its broad bullate leaves and beautiful large tubular white flowers flushed yellow within. Others are R. ciliicalyx with funnel shaped white flowers or white flowers suffused with pink, and R. crassum, R. formosum and R. johnstoneanum, the latter with forms carrying flowers from white to pale yellow, and R. veitchianum, carrying glistening white flowers with deeply cut lobes and crinkled edges to the corollas, vies with R. lindleyi for attention.

FIG. 49. The graceful perfumed flowers                     of R. lindleyi.

        A planting of a group of the locally raised hybrid, R. ciliicalyx x R. formosum makes a striking contrast against a background of deep green leaves of other trees and shrubs in the garden, and other representatives of the Maddenii Series and Subseries are R. polyandrum, megacalyx, dalhousiae and taggianum.
        It is fortunate that the Maddenii Series and Subseries and the Edgeworthii Series can be grown as garden specimens in the Dandenongs, where snowfalls in winter months are infrequent and disappear usually in less than a day, whilst frosts generally are not severe enough to cause any appreciable damage.
        There are so many species at Pirianda that one finds it difficult to know which ones to describe, however, one which must not be left out is the attractive R. orbiculare, with its dense bright green foliage and profusion of rose colored seven lobed flowers borne in loose terminal trusses; R. orbiculare always seems to form a well rounded compact growing plant, and is an acquisition in any garden. Another species of distinction which has come into prominence since it was first introduced to England in 1936 by Mr. K. Wada, and was awarded the F.C.C. in 1947, is R. yakushimanum, and a clone of this form may be seen at Pirianda. It forms a dense mound of dark green glossy leaves with down-curved edges, covered below with heavy brown indumentum, and the deep pink buds open to a pale pink, turning to white when fully expanded, one of the appealing characteristics of this species is the silvery grey indumentum on the new growth. Another form of R. yakushimanum, also with narrow recurved leaves, produces flowers which are white in bud as well as when fully open.
        Mr. Ansell has produced two extremely interesting hybrids, R. yakushimanum, F.C.C. x R. smirnowii, the new growth of which is outstanding for its indumentum, inherited from both parents, and R. yakushimanum, F.C.C. >x R. metternichii var. hondoense, also with unusual and attractive indumentum; both plants are young, and it is with considerable interest and speculation that the first flowers are awaited.
        Interspersed amongst the rhododendrons are plants of Enkianthus campanulatus, Kalmia latifolia, Camellia reticulata and the attractive Crinodendron hookerianum, with crimson flowers hanging along the branches.
        Walking along some of the same paths, but in the opposite direction, new vistas are continually unfolding, and a group of R. davidsonianum in shades of white tinged pink, and pale rose are complemented by several plants of R. augustinii and 'Electra', whilst in the Lapponicum Series, the dwarf R. russatum and R. scintillans, with their bright blue-purple flowers, have been strategically planted along the rock walls.
        An interesting species from Burma is R. kyawi, with bright green leaves, pale green below, producing crimson scarlet flowers, up to twenty in a truss. Its extremely late flowering season, almost mid-summer, necessitates careful siting, even in the Dandenongs, to protect the flowers from sun and winds.
        'Albatross' (Townhill), 'Countess of Haddington', 'Lamplighter' and 'Mrs. Lionel de Rothschild' are hybrids which attract attention, the latter with white flowers spotted red, being quite different to anything else in the garden, and amongst the trees planted along the walks are Abies pinsapo, the Dove tree, ( Davidia involucrata), Cornus nuttallii, and an interesting specimen, Nyssa sinensis, which is doubly rewarding, firstly for its brilliantly colored new growth in the spring, and later, the coloring of the leaves in the fall.
        Another planting of hybrids which make an attractive group are 'Naomi Astarte', 'Ightham Yellow' and 'Lady Berry'. A path branches across a small permanent stream into a fern-gully which has been left mainly in its natural state, and here amongst the moss covered rocks, tree ferns Dicksonia antarctica and Cyathea australis, as well as many smaller native ferns flourish in the half-light provided by the overhead canopy of Blackwoods and Copper Beeches.
        This part of the gully is often frequented by the native Lyre Birds, which are noted for their ability to mimic other birds. They vigorously scratch and turn over quite large stones with their extremely strong feet, and seem to think that the largest and fattest grubs are to be found under the ground-cover plants, which they often leave in a state of disarray.
        On the east side of the gully, an extensive terraced garden has recently been formed, and here a wide variety of trees and shrubs have been planted, Cornus, Clethras, Nyssa sylvatica and the rarely seen Michelia doltsopa, which will in time provide further shelter for plantings of rhododendrons.
        Considerable character has been given to the garden by the planting of an extensive collection of Magnolias, most of which flower in late winter along with some of the early flowering rhododendrons.
        Pests are extremely few, and it is difficult to find a rhododendron with leaf damage. Flowering cherries in the Dandenongs are usually a source of enjoyment to the many colored parrots, which proceed to eat the flower buds as soon as they show color, but here they have discovered, apparently a more delectable morsel, the new shoots of the Hostas as soon as they reach a few inches in height.
        Mr. Ansell has a glass house in which plants of many descriptions are propagated; he has done a considerable amount of hybridizing, and an area is in the course of preparation in which the rhododendrons he has raised will eventually be planted.
        The whole garden has been beautifully laid out and is kept in immaculate order; nothing ever seems to be out of place, and a visit late in the season finds Mr. and Mrs. Ansell busily deadheading their many rhododendrons, a not inconsiderable task, for the garden contains over 900 rhododendrons. Considerable emphasis has been placed upon species, and in an endeavour to obtain the best forms available, many were selected by Mr. and Mrs. Ansell whilst on a visit to England and Scotland, where many famous gardens were visited.
        There is little doubt that Pirianda ranks highly amongst gardens in Australia for its extensive collection of species.
        In conclusion, I trust that my description will have refreshed the memory of Delegates to the Pacific Rhododendron Conference of 1970, who in the very brief time available, visited Pirianda, and for those who were less fortunate in being unable to attend the Conference, will at least give some idea of how rhododendrons and an extensive collection of choice shrubs and trees have been used to create a garden of indescribable beauty.

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Seattle Chapter Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary
M. W. Baird, Bellevue. Washington

FIG. 50. Donald McClure receiving Bronze Medal from                       Dr. Brockenbrough. Also shown are Edward                       Dunn and Donald Graham. Photo by Jock Brydon

        At the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Seattle Chapter, 135 members gathered for dinner at the Edgewater Inn on December 1, 1971. President Brockenbrough and John Putnam, chairman of the Study Group, and their wives presided at the head table.
        Guests of honor seated there and introduced by the President were some of our charter members. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Graham, Mrs. Charles Sully, Mrs. Kerry Trimble, Mr. and Mrs. Linley Janzen, Edward Dunn, Fred Delkin, Brian Mulligan, Fred Robbins, and Mrs. Endre Ostbo, widow of the late Mr. Ostbo, and guest speaker P. H. Brydon and Mrs. Brydon.
        Mr. Graham told a little about the forming of the Chapter mentioning, among others, Herbert Ihrig and the late Clarence Prentice.
        Donald McClure then gave an amusing and interesting resume of the Chapter's growth and history.
        Dr. C. E. Simons, Jr., honors chairman, presented a Bronze Medal to each of the following very deserving members:

• Donald Graham, for his organizing efforts and continuing support; Elizabeth Lansdowne, for secretarial work "above and beyond the call of duty";
• Edward Hartnett, our dependable, tireless, amiable treasurer, for being same!

• Brian Mulligan, Director of the University of Washington Arboretum, for his able advice and willingness to help the Chapter wherever possible;

• Arthur Luther, a former treasurer, for being an ubiquitous and available helper;
• And last but not least, Donald McClure, for 19� years a hard and sincere worker in almost every position in the Chapter; like a mother lion, he has growled and patted us through the good and bad times!

        We then heard a most enjoyable talk by Mr. Brydon on rhododendrons in the Species Foundation collection with excellent slides of the specimens in gardens of Great Britain and also in Fred Robbins' collection.
        A great evening was had by all, including, we trust, Newton Edwards of Alexandria, Virginia, President of the middle Atlantic Chapter.

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Notes from an Amateur Rhododendron Buff
Art Childers. Vida, Oregon

        I have spent 23 years growing rhododendrons as a hobby, the last 18 of which have been involved in hybridizing. At the present time some 20,000 or more hybrid seedlings are growing on from one to 18 years old. Until 1970, I had named only two plants, although others are of a quality worth naming and registering. Of the two named, one should not have been named, as it is of no commercial value but has proven to be an excellent parent. This plant should have been registered under a number only.
        During the past 10 years, the number of names that have been registered is staggering. In another 10 years 95 out of every 100 of the plants will be a name only in the International Registry - names that cannot be used again.
        The growing concern among conscientious and knowledgeable hybridizers to the indiscriminate naming of every pet plant that is brought into bloom, has prompted me to compile a formula of simple composition that would alleviate the bookkeeping of both grower and Registrar. I am setting forth some suggestions here that might be used, or if not used, that might bring forth better ideas from someone else.
        I suggest that the society create a "Plant Register," preferably a loose-leaf one, for U. S. plant breeders only. The society would give each hybridizer a symbol, such as a number or letter, or both. The less the better. The registered symbol or letter would be used in conjunction with the hybridizer's personal symbols or code numbers. This information, along with a complete description of the plant and parentage as now used in the International Registry would be on file with the Society. It would allow the hybridizer to use the plant for breeding or to sell commercially, and if after 3-5 years it has proven commercially sound and has been rated by competent judges, it would be given a name of the owner's choice and registered in the International Registry. The file could then be up-dated to include the name.
        With this procedure, the best seedling would be viewed by a panel of competent judges and would have to be awarded a rating corresponding to the P. A. before being given a name. If a sister seedling proved to be a better parent, which so often happens, it could be registered under number and be used for that purpose.
        Also a simple form of patent sanctioned by the A.R.S. that would protect the hybridizer from mass production and cut rate sales for the first few years of production is needed, since this is the only time a hybridizer can reap any profits from his years of work and study. The plant could be judged by an ARS team, then tagged with an official seal which could be paid for by the grower. This would be registered under the plant's number or name and anyone propagating the plant for a certain period of time without the owner's consent would be liable to the owner.
        A sample registration is listed below. I will use my own symbols in this case. Let's assume I received the first registered symbol which could be ARS 1, or A1, or A, or just 1. Then by combining it with my symbols and adding the number at the end in parenthesis it could always be checked back with my personal record and identified as being first, second, etc., of a certain grex.

For a continuing pedigree, all plants to be used as parents should have at least a registration number.

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Hybridizing With the Boothii Series
Robert W. Scott, Berkeley, California

        Mr. Nearing's article on the Boothii Series and its hybrids (ARS Bull. Jan. '72) has prompted me to bring together some experiences of my own in hybridizing with four species of this series: R. chrysodoron, R. leucaspis, R. tephropeplum and R. xanthostephanum.
        The Series is indeed an interesting one. And the forenamed species represent a good cross section in that they cover the full range of color, flower shape, plant habit and blooming period of the Series as we know it in cultivation.
        Much of my effort has centered on crossing this Series with the Ciliicalyx Subseries of the Maddenii Series. It seemed to me that to obtain desirable results from this line of breeding (such as new coloration, variety in flower shape and truss formation, as well as modification of plant habit and leaf shape) several generations of breeding would probably be required. And this is proving to be the case. A few attractive little plants have developed but with one or two exceptions the flowers have been, at their best, only promising.

FIG. 51. [(johnstoneanum x                       moupinense) x                       chrysodoron] #1                       Hadley Osborn Photo

        Species other than those in the Ciliicalyx Subseries which have been used include R. calostrotum, R. chryseum, R. keiskei, R. moupinense, R. racemosum and R. spinuliferum, Of those that flowered last year the most attractive were plants of R. chryseum x 'Lemon Mist' and R. spinuliferum x 'Lemon Mist'. The former has light yellow flowers which are somewhat larger than those of R. chryseum and also has the advantage of better winter foliage than that of the species. Interest in the latter cross rests mainly on the distinctly orange coloring in the terminal cluster of small flowers.
        It has been disappointing to observe the frequency of apparent sterility or paucity of seed set - as little as one or two seeds per capsule - that has shown up in the approximately forty Boothii Series crosses made. For my own very limited space this might actually be an advantage. But for others who have the room and the inclination to pursue a similar direction in hybridizing, it might prove to be a useful warning.
        Out of the crosses that have flowered, only one has had sufficient quality to be named and it so happened that both parents were in the Boothii Series. R. xanthostephanum x R. leucaspis produced a plant which was named 'Lemon Mist'. Enough people have been interested in this plant so that by now it is being propagated and distributed by several sources.
        At this writing, Feb. 12th, there are five R. chrysodoron hybrids that are flowering for the first time. One plant of [( R. johnstoneanum x R. moupinense) x R. chrysodoron] has resulted in the color break that I had aimed for. It is a yellow with a red flare. True, the yellow is lighter than desired and the flare, although fairly extensive for a lepidote, might have had more appeal if it were a more orange shade of red, But none-the-less the potential is there.
        If this year's flowering doesn't produce a plant worthy of naming, then at least there well might be a fair percentage of promise.

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The Control of Azalea Flowering with Day length,
Temperature and Gibberellic Acid
Roy A. Larson Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina State University, Raleigh

        There is adequate information available to enable one to bring azaleas into flower at any time of the year (4, 7, 9, 10, 11). Two very important environmental factors that must be considered are day length and temperature. Long days are favorable for the initiation and development of vegetative shoots, and flower bud initiation in most cultivars is enhanced with short days. Temperatures of 65-70�F are considered satisfactory for the development of vegetative shoots, and flower buds also will be formed at these temperatures. Flowering will not occur, however, unless the "budded up" plants are exposed to temperatures of 35-50�F for 4 to 6 weeks, reportedly to break flower bud dormancy. Again, knowledge does exist on how gibberellic acid (GA ₃) can be used as a substitute for the cool temperature treatments, enabling one to get azaleas into flower without cooling facilities (1, 2, 3, 5,6, 8). Very little use has been made of this knowledge.
        N. C. State research on the use of GA ₃:, as a substitute for cool temperatures to break dormancy started six years ago. Many studies have been highly successful. Uniform flowering has been achieved on several cultivars when the minimum temperature was 65�F, eliminating completely the need for artificial or natural cooling. Larger flowers and faster flowering were other beneficial results of the GA ₃ treatments (6). 'Red Wing' flowers have been at least one inch larger in diameter on treated versus non-treated plants. 'California Sunset' plants flowered two weeks earlier when treated with 5 applications of GA ₃ at 500 ppm, than plants given 6 weeks of storage at 48�F, and 3 to 4 weeks sooner than plants subjected to 6 weeks at 35�F. Another promising prospect for azalea growers is a combination of cool temperature and GA ₃ applications to break flower bud dormancy. The plants can be placed at cool temperatures for 3 weeks, then moved to a forcing temperature of 60 to 65� and given 3 applications of GA. (6,9). Refrigeration facilities are necessary in this program but twice as many plants can be handled this way then when a 6-week storage period is used alone.
        The azalea var. 'Dogwood' was used in an experiment in the spring and summer of 1971, to show the feasibility of manipulating growth and flowering with day length, temperature and GA ₃.
        The major day length treatments were 4 to 6 weeks of long days (16 hours) after the final pinch, followed by 6, 8 or 10 weeks of short days (9hours) prior to start of dormancy breaking treatments. The dormancy breaking treatments were 6 weeks at a continuous 48�F temperature, and 3 weeks at 48� followed by 3 applications of GA ₃ at 250 ppm after the plants had been moved to a greenhouse with a minimum night temperature of 62�. The first GA ₃ application was made 4 days after removal from the cooler, and the 2 remaining applications were made 7 and 14 days after the first application.
        Small plants deliberately were chosen for this study because of limited cooler space and because previous research had shown that meaningful results could be obtained from such plants. The plants had been pinched January 8, and were pinched again March 8 at the start of the study. There were 10 plants in each treatment.
        Data recorded were dates of flowering (25% of flower buds open), number of flowers, number of by-passing vegetative shoots surrounding the flower bud, and quality of the plant at time of flowering. A rating of 10 was excellent, and 1 was poor. Flower size was not measured because a preliminary experiment on the var. 'Dogwood' had shown no GA. effect on flower diameter.
        Flowering was accelerated by about 3 weeks when the plants were given 4 weeks of long days, 6 or 8 weeks of short days, and then 3 weeks of 48�F and 3 applications of GA3 (Table 1). The 3 weeks would be equivalent to the head start such plants had in forcing in the greenhouse. (Previous work (6) had shown that 3 weeks of cool temperature without GA3 applications after storage resulted in delayed, uneven flowering and the plants would not have been acceptable commercially.) The most flowers per plant were always obtained in the 6 weeks cooler treatment, compared to 3 weeks at 48� and GA3 applications, regardless of day length treatments. The differences ranged from 2 to 8 more flowers per plant. More by-passing vegetative shoots generally were produced on the plants exposed to 48� for 6 weeks. (All of our studies have shown an increase in the number of bypass shoots produced as the time required for flowering increased.)
        Very good to excellent quality plants were produced in all treatments. No advantage was realized by following a prolonged schedule such as 4 or 6 weeks of long days, followed by 8 or 10 weeks of short days. Flower number and plant quality were not improved and flowering was delayed by as much as 7 weeks. This study was conducted during a naturally bright time of the year in North Carolina beginning in March and continuing through the summer, so the short period of time from pinch to the start of dormancy-breaking treatments (16 to 20 weeks) was satisfactory. Previous research (4) indicated that longer periods of long and short days were required at darker periods of the year.
        Some commercial azalea growers have used GA., with apparent success and desire to make it a definite part of their cultural program. Time of application is crucial, and the 3 weeks in the cooler reduce the chances for premature application. The need for artificial cooling is not eliminated, however, and that is a fundamental objective of our azalea research.
        In summary, a combination of 3 weeks at 48� and 3 applications of GA, at 250 ppm successfully broke azalea flower bud dormancy in the var. 'Dogwood.' Sixteen to 20 weeks from pinch to the start of dormancy-breaking treatments resulted in acceptable plants in this study initiated in early March. Flower size was not affected by GA, applications but in other experiments 'Red Wing' flowers were as much as 1" larger in diameter on GA ₃treated plants, compared to untreated plants.

LITERATURE CITED

1. Ballantyne, D.J. and C.B. Link. 1961 Growth regulators and the flowering of evergreen azaleas (Rhododendron cv.). Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 78:521-531.

2. Barba, R.C. and F.A. Pokorny. 1962. Influence of several concentrations of gibberellic acid on azalea forcing. Univ. of Ga., Athens. (Unpublished data.)

3. Boodley, J. R'. and J. W. Mlastalerz. 1959. The use of gibberellic acid to force azaleas without a cold temperature treatment. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 74:681-685

4. Larson, Roy A. and Martin L. Mclntyre. 1967. "Out-of-season" flowering of quality azaleas. Arner. Rhododendron Soc. Quart. Bul. 21(2):67-70.

5. Larson, Roy A. 1971. Efforts to escape azalea flower bud dormancy. N. C. Commercial Flower Growers' Bulletin.

6. Larson, Roy A. and T. Davis Sydnor. 1971. Azalea flower bud development and dormancy as influenced by temperature and gibberellic acid. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 96 (6) : 786-788.

7. Lindstrom, Richard S. 1961. Year-around azaleas. Florists' Rev. 127:37-38, 93-94.

8. Martin, L. w., S. C. Wiggans and R. N. Payne. 1960. The use of gibberellic acid to break flower bud dormancy. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 76:590-593.

9. Skou, W. 1969. Year-round production of azaleas for wholesale growers. Florists' Rev. 145:25, 62-63, 73-74.

10. Stuart, Neil W. 1962. Regulating growth and flowering of azaleas with photoperiod and chemical growth retardants. The Exchange. July 21. p. 18-19, 47.

11.                , 1965. Growth retardants, storage temperature and length of storage for controlling the flowering of greenhouse azaleas. Florists' Rev. 136:14-15.

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More on Taiwan Rhododendron
John Patrick, Richmond, California

        New Species: This is a new introduction to cultivation to be known temporarily as RV #72001. Collected as seed 14 November 1971, Nan-hu-taShan (Nankotaisan Jap.) Ca., 3200 M., Taiwan University #3179.
        On 14 November 1971, Dr. ChienChang Hsu and Mr. Chiang-Sen Kuoh left their base camp at Chi-li-ting; Ca., 2000 M. and made an unequipped assault on 1Van-hu-to-shan between breaks in the weather. It is interesting to note here that they met three different sport climbing groups returning from failed attempts at the same climb! The result of this successful and dangerous climb is seed lot RV #72001.
        As far as is known, RV#72001 is not in general cultivation. This population was discovered by Dr. Hsu in August 1969. Two small seedlings brought back to Japan by Dr. Yamazaki of Tokyo University from this expedition seem to be the extent of distribution. Cuttings sent to the author by Dr. Hsu did not survive owing to rapid deterioration in the hot summer weather at lower elevation in Taiwan while awaiting transportation to the U.S.
        Rhododendron RV#72001 will be described by Dr. Hsu in late 1972 after fresh, flowering herbarium material can be collected and evaluated. Fresh, fruited herbarium material was collected 14 November 1971. A brief description here follows; not to be considered to constitute publication:
        Rhododendron RV#72001 is quite heavily indumented. The rich brown, persistent indumentum extending down the entire leaf pedicel and continuing the entire length of the new growth. Internode length is 1.5-2 cm. The seed capsule measures 6x15 mm, is indumented and terminally dehiscent. Except for the somewhat wider, less revolute leaf with a cordate base, RV#72001 bears a strong resemblance to R. metternichii var. yakushimanum. From one raceme of fruit, there were eleven seed capsules, indicating that RV#72001 will have more than eleven florets to the truss. No description of the flower color is available at this time. RV#72001 is an Alpine plant and should be accorded the same hardiness rating as R. pseudochrysanthum, the other elepidote Alpine Rhododendron found in Taiwan. It properly belongs in the Ponticum Series, S.S. Caucasicum.
        With its dwarf stature, globose habit of growth, rich indumentum and very striking leaf set, RV#72001 certainly rivals the exquisite "Yaku" and is surely destined to become as equally and deservedly popular.
        At this point, it seems important to mention R. nankotaisanense; whose only difference from R. morii is a glabrous ovary; Hayata., Icon, Pl. Formos. (2) Wilson(') states that R. nankotaisanense is; "A critical species closely related to R. morii and may be a glabrous condition of that species, etc." He also states; "I did not see R. nankotaisanense in Formosa"; and that his material was a co-type specimen. ^(l) There does not seem to be enough difference between the two to justify species status for R. nankotaisanense. R. nankotaisanense should properly be described as R. morii var. Nankotaisanense.
        Through the kind offices of the Botanical Library and Herbarium of Tokyo University, the author was permitted, on 17 December 1971, to inspect Hayata's publication (2) and to zerox page 66 which contains the original description of " R. nankotaisanense" and gives as No. 57, the type specimen collected by S. Sasaki in April 1917. The original type specimens was inspected to be sure that it was R. morii and not RV# 72001. RV# 72001 is positively identifiable as uniquely distinct from R. morii var. nankotaisanense.
        Quite possibly the reason for RV72001 not having been discovered before now was that no plant explorer had gone above timberline on Nan-huta-shan to the high, Alpine grassy areas above 3000 M. RV#72001 grows unprotected by trees in the open grassy areas and is not visible from lower elevations.
        R. formosanum: A close examination and comparison of herbarium specimens at Taiwan University of several forms each of R. formosanum and R. metternichii reveals a startling similarity between these two species. Enough similarity in fact to risk questioning the placing of R. formosanum in the Arboreum Series. While R. formosanum has some resemblance to some of the Arboreum Series Rhododendron, it bears a much closer resemblance to the lightly indumented members of the R. metternichii complex.
        In another article, the author has mentioned the northward migration possibilities to Japan of some of the elepidote Rhododendron from the relic populations of Taiwan. (3)
        The presence in Japan of the two varieties of R. metternichii Yakushimanum and Makinoi had seemed at first to defy this theory until Rhododendron RV#72001 was collected. Within the spectrum of the indumented members of the Ponticum Series, S. S. Caucasucum found in Taiwan and Japan, it is quite easy to recognize the close resemblance when all these related types are known and the possibility of ecologic and migrant variation is allowed for.
        The probability of R. makinoi being an ecotypical variety of R. metternichii as is var. yakushimanum is lent credibility when considered in the foregoing context. Nitzelius put forward this theory in "Notes on Some Japanese Species of the Genus Rhododendron, (4) upon his examination of R. makinoi.
        R. mariesii: As far as is known at this time, the only deciduous Rhododendron in Taiwan is R. mariesii. Quite possibly, the deciduous species in Japan are the result of an eastward migration from the Asian Mainland which would account for the Lapponicum Series R. parvifolium and the North Asian R. aureum and camtschaticum. From the Continental Drift Theory of the separation of Continents and land masses, it can be shown that at one time, Taiwan and Japan were much closer together and attached to the Asian land mass. From the still remaining deep ocean trenches to the north and east of the Japanese Islands, evidence is available to show that they moved quite far north, partially filling that part of the weakened Earth's crust. Taiwan on the other hand, did not seem to have this weakened structure to move into and stayed relatively close to the mainland. The absence of other deciduous rhododendron in Taiwan and the scarcity of the one extant; R. mariesii, would indicate that Northern Taiwan was once the southern limit of the deciduous species.

Taiwan Rhododendron Distribution:
       An important consideration to a better understanding of the distribution of Rhododendron in Taiwan is the delineation of four separate climatic zones, namely; Alpine, Temperate, Subtropical and Tropical. The following chart indicates climatic distribution of Taiwan Rhododendron, excluding the Azalea Series which will be offered at a later date.

        From the foregoing, one notes zonal overlapping of some species as is to be expected within a dynamic genus such as Rhododendron. In one case, R. ellipticum, there is overlapping in three zones. As is usual, there exist ecotypes and morphological variations. These are more prevalent within the widely distributed endemic species. These ecotypes and varieties, for the most part have not been described nor given varietal designations. For instance a publicized "new" Azalea from Taiwan, seems to fit within reasonable variant limits for the species R. rubropilosum, probably the most variable of the Azalea in Taiwan and occurring in many shapes, colors and sizes and at many different altitudes and localities. These descriptions will be done by Dr. Hsu and his staff through Rhododendron Venture assistance prior to publication of his forthcoming monograph on Taiwan Rhododendron. This monograph will be included in its entirety within Dr. Hsu's monumental undertaking of the entire flora of Taiwan in ten volumes, of which the first volume is just off the press.

1. Wilson, E.H., The Rhododendron Society Notes; Vol. 11, No. V, 238.1924

2. Hayata, B., Icones Plantarum Formosanum; Vol. IX, 66. 1920

3. Patrick, J.J.R. and Hsu, C.C., The Rhododendron and Camellia Yearbook 20-27, 1971

4. Nitzelius, T., Notes on Some Japanese Species of the Genus Rhododendron. Acta.Horti. Goteburgensis, 24:135-174. 1961

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Rhododendron Mythology
Richard W. Bosley. Mentor, Ohio

        In the 25 years I have been in the business of growing hybrid rhododendrons I have been exposed to many expert opinions both in person and through programs and publications such as the Plant Propagators Society. I have appreciated these ideas as they have been useful in expanding my knowledge and often enabling me to produce a better product. Two years ago I left the nursery I had been associated with for most of my life to start my own nursery which is called "Plant Systems". I would like to share some revelations I have had regarding one hybrid Rhododendron, 'Nova Zembla', during these two years and how these experiences compare with the myths I have been exposed to over the years.
        I do not wish to imply in any way that the experiences that others have had were not valid because I am sure they were. I would also like to suggest that what worked for me may not work for another person or for another plant.
        To give a little background regarding the crop environment, they were potted into � bushel baskets in a medium composed of 70% ground bark, 15%> course sand and 15% peat. They were subject to constant feed through the whole growing season. Soil and leaf samples were taken every three weeks during active growth in order to keep the nutrition at a near optimum level at all times.
        Irrigation was supplied as needed and 1� inches was supplied at each watering. There was no manipulation of day length or night temperatures. 

Multiple Vegetative Bud Breaks
        For years I had understood that if the rhododendron were not given a "rest" that the number of vegetative breaks would be few. My experience is that the rhododendron will probably grow continuously for several years with generous breaks. In the middle of this past growing season I found that the common number of breaks was three to seven and some were as high as ten to twelve. This was not following a rest but after two months of growing and so I suspect that multiple breaks are more a function of nutrition, temperature, moisture and humidity.

Continuous Growth 
        Rhododendrons normally grow in flushes rather than continuous, as an azalea will, but under the near optimum conditions this past spring I observed these rhododendrons cycling into continuous growth instead of flushes.

Close Packing
        I was assured that my crop was placed much too close (the baskets were touching but not nested). Experience showed that the interior plants were superior to the edge plants. Again I would like to stress that this may not be true at all under different conditions or other cultivars.

Nutrition
        All the nutrition these plants received, from me, was in the inorganic form. Some would suggest that if you don't use this or that organic form of feed the plant will not do well. I used: ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, di-ammonium phosphate, magnesium chloride, and iron. All were applied through the electronic injector.

Soluble Salt Levels
        It is generally agreed that rhododendrons are a "low feed" crop, and I would agree in principle but I would like to site some extremes I have experienced. You must use caution in taking raw data from one person and using it in your own situation. This past summer I sent identical samples to two different laboratories and found nearly a 300% difference on the reporting on two elements. If you hear figures, check them with your laboratory and under your conditions before committing a crop.
        This past year I had some rhododendron 'Nova Zembla' growing in poly bags in pure peat. I was starting to get some foliage burn indicating high salts and therefore sent soil samples in and found the approximate soluble salts to be: 8.000 (ECe 3.6). This is a level far above that which I would have believed the plants would have survived but they did once I had applied four feet of water. There has been little recognition of the fact that soils vary greatly in nutrition retention and what might be an optimum level in pure peat would certainly kill a plant in Lake County, Ohio soil. Any laboratory should relate their soil report data to the exchange capacity of that medium.

Phosphon Persistence
        Most of us growing rhododendrons have played with growth retardants during the past few years. One of the materials that has been mentioned often is Phosphon. It has been suggested that once the plant has been transplanted that as new roots penetrate the new soil that the plant growth will return to normal. This is not true, at least for me, and any person buying a Phosphon treated plant may find the dwarfing persisting for a number of years. This may not be bad but I prefer less persistent chemicals for growth regulation.

Night Temperatures
        The greenhouse industry mentions night temperatures as separate from day temperatures in the culture of most of their crops. It is seldom mentioned in the nursery industry. I have found that the rhododendron is much more responsive to 65 degree minimum night temperature than it is to night lighting and with much less fuss and expense. I am not knocking night lighting because I use it too, but when it comes to growth stimulation don't overlook the night temperatures. 

Root Rot Disease
        There has been stress put on root rot (water mold) disease control in nursery crops. It was probably first recognized in connection with rhododendrons but it effects a wide list of nursery crops. We had been having the problem for as long as there were nurseries but it was less of a problem because the much better drainage of the field soils was putting the disease organisms at a disadvantage. As soon as we shifted to container growing and set them on black plastic they at last had the free moisture they needed to survive and spread. The shortness of the soil column in a pot tends to cause a wet zone at the bottom which large or multiple pot holes will not correct. Shoot for a well drained mix and never let free water stand around the base of a pot - even during irrigation. This is a much better root rot control than all the chemicals.

Budding Rhododendron
        There has been a lot published about how to encourage bloom bud formation on rhododendrons and I suppose the surest method is wait until it is seven years old' Little is still known about the budding mechanism and not much more is known about why some things work - sometimes. I would like to know a lot more about why the plant forms a vegetative or a bloom bud and when this decision is made by the plant. I find that many of the techniques that growers have used in the past either don't work all the time or are very dangerous in regard to the possibility of root injury. If you injure the roots it is the path into the plant that the root rot needs.
        The throttling of plant growth should be possible with chemical growth regulators rather than the usual method of water withdrawal. This would maximize food production while allowing cell size regulation.

Plant Breeder
        The plant breeder in the future will be the one responsible for at least a portion of production cost reduction for the grower. At the present time I screen rhododendron varieties that show potential to see if they will respond to the accelerated growing methods. If they do not meet the growth criteria they will be rejected no matter how well they may look as an adult. This approach is common in the pot mum industry and is coming to the nursery business.

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The F. C. C. Form?
Hadley Osborn, El Cerrito. California

        Last spring a prominent grower noted that the form of 'Tally Ho' most commonly seen in California apparently differs from the plant being propagated in the Portland area. He then kindly sent down a young plant and noted that although he couldn't be sure and didn't list it as such, it was believed his was the F.C.C. form. Curiosity aroused, I set off in a brisk trot for the library to see if a detailed description of the F.C.C. form existed.
        In the RHS Journal (vol. 59, p. 38) I found the following charming information. On May 23, 1933 a First Class Certificate was awarded to:

R. 'Tally-Ho' as a hardy flowering plant (votes unanimous) from Lady Loder, Leonardslee and J.J. Crosfield, Esq. Embley Park. The name R. 'Tally-Ho' covers all seedlings raised between R. griersonianum and R. eriogynum. The two seedlings shown were almost identical in flower but differed in the size of the leaves, R. eriogynum being the female parent of one and R. griersonianum of the other...

        A more extensive if less official account is found on p. 370 of the May 27, 1933 Gardeners' Chronicle and confirms that 'Tally Ho' (they leave out the hyphen) refers to plants raised from griersonianum x eriogynum as well as from eriogynum x griersonianum, and that the F.C.C. was given to a representative of both.
        Rhododendrons are so responsive to growing conditions that it is difficult to say for sure, but there are clearly two and probably three different clones of 'Tally Ho' in cultivation here. Whether one or both of the two most distinct plants are "F.C.C. forms" clearly matters little. Where they are cold hardy they are superb garden plants and if given room have a much better habit than either the parentage or the literature would lead you to believe.
        Another pitfall lurks for the unwary collector of F.C.C.'s. As many have pointed out, several species have received the F.C.C. more than once, with the different forms having quite different ornamental effect. Dr. Fletcher particularly stressed this in remarks reprinted in the Proceedings of the International Rhododendron Conference (copies of this, by the way, are still available and at $1.50 are the best bargain in rhododendron information around). Still, just a few years ago a pioneer importer and very knowledgeable man went to trouble and expense to import the F.C.C. form of R. lacteum, only to receive a form awarded in 1926 which has the milky-white flowers that gave the species its name, rather than the more recent F.C.C. form with bright yellow flowers.
        Finally: Cheerful optimism is always appealing, but there is too great a tendency (even by otherwise cautious men) to label plants award forms just because they might be such. One of the best little lapponicums is sold in America as R. fastigiatum F.C.C. Unfortunately R. fastigiatum never received this award, though it did receive the A.M. in 1914. It has been suggested that our plant is the A.M. form and was imported as merely "the award form". But in the absence of verification all we should say is that it is a superb form - which it is.

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Practical Procedures For Increasing
Flower Bud Initiation on Rhododendrons
S. P. Myers and P. C. Kozel,
Department of Horticulture, Ohio State University

        Research in the field of bioaesthetics at The Ohio State University during the past few years has yielded much information on the use of plant growth regulators. One of our major areas of emphasis has been the use of plant growth regulators on rhododendrons to enhance flower bud production. More specifically, our goal was to develop techniques whereby rhododendrons could be cultured from rooted cuttings to salable budded plants in one year.
        Research results from previous years combined with current year data suggest the following procedures should be followed in order to achieve maximum benefits from chemical treatments:

Obtaining budded plants from rooted cuttings in one year.
        A) Initiate supplementary light treatments (from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.) amounting to 20 footcandles of light at the plant surface beginning in February. This light intensity can be provided by 100 watt incandescent lights 4 feet apart and 4 feet above the plants.
        B) Apply Phosfon to the cuttings during the first week in May. Use this material as a soil drench (0.4 gm. per 1 gal. container). This rate is equivalent to using a 1:50 Phosfon-water dilution and applying 7 oz. of this solution per gallon container. Water the plants well prior to treatment to assure good distribution of the Phosfon throughout the soil mass.
        C) When the danger of frost is past, transfer the plants out of doors maintaining the supplemental light treatments.
        D) Terminate the extended photoperiod treatments on September 1.

Obtaining flower buds on plants that usually will not initiate them until a later growing season.
        A) Apply Phosfon as a soil drench and at concentrations previously described. The application is most effective if applied before or during the first flush of spring growth. It is advised to apply Phosfon during the first week in May. Phosfon will enhance flower bud set if applied at those times without utilizing 20 footcandle supplemental light treatments. In all tests to date, however, the supplemental light treatments (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from June 1 to September 1 enhance the flower bud count in Phosfon treated plants above those plants treated but not so lighted. Hence the utilization of supplemental light is strongly advised to maximize the flower bud set.
        B) One can, if earlier treatment was not possible, achieve reasonably good results from treatment no later than the end of June. Treatments applied at this date must be accompanied by supplemental light treatments until September 1 to be effective.
        The rhododendron cultivars, 'Roseum Elegans', 'Nova Zembla', 'English Roseum' and 'Boule De Neige' have been in our trials and have been successfully treated with Phosfon to enhance flower bud development.
        The rhododendrons must be cultured in good fashion to achieve maximum effects from the Phosfon treatment. Our cultural treatments were as follows:

Fertilizer - applied in liquid form every three weeks.

• 12 oz. Ammonium nitrate

• 40 oz. Potassium chloride

• 8 oz. Iron chelate

Per 80 gallons of water or per 5 gallon container using a 1:16 proportioner.

Fungicide Treatment - applied once after potting

• 6.4 oz. Dexon
• 3.2 oz. Terrachlor

Per 80 gallons of water or per 5 gallon container using a 1:15 proportioner.

Additional Recommendations

1. The rooted cutting used to produce one-year-old budded plants was propagated in the fall. The rooted cutting was then maintained at low temperatures 40 degrees or below until the time of placement in one-gallon containers in March. Once transplanted the temperature in the greenhouse from March till movement out of doors in late May was maintained at 70 degrees F. day and 60 degrees, night.

2. It is extremely important to use a well drained media in the production of all container grown plants. The mixture used at O.S.U. for example is Canadian Peat Moss, course grade perlite and soil (2:2:1).

3. Rhododendrons developed best flower bud set when they were grown in full sun. Plants should be misted from early morning through late afternoon using approximately 15 seconds mist every 15 minutes. This amount can be adjusted as situations dictate. The mist results in increased photosynthesis by the plants and it also decreases the temperature and increases relative humidity around the plants. The misting procedure does not replace normal watering practices. Misting should have wide application for many container grown plants.

4. The amount of Phosfon essential to enhance flower bud initiation is the same regardless if the plant is in a one or two gallon container. If a two gallon container is used merely double the amount of water (7 oz. Phosfon solution + 7 oz. of water) in order to achieve adequate distribution of the Phosfon in the soil.

5. Generally six weeks of 40 degrees F. temperature or below is essential to overcome the cold requirement of the flower bud. Plants can be forced at 70 degrees F in 3 to 5 weeks depending on variety grown.

6. Rooted cuttings pinched at the time of potting and again at the beginning of the plants second flush of growth produced compact salable plants. Maximum numbers of breaks per pinch were realized when the new shoot was allowed to elongate about one inch in length before it was pinched. Plants pinched earlier by rolling out the terminal bud resulted in the development of fewer lateral branches.

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INFORMATION WANTED

In connection with a long range research project on plant bloom sequence, Mrs. Daniel McNamara, New York Chapter, is requesting information on blooming dates of rhododendrons (date of first truss open.)  Readers interested in further information or wishing to forward these data may contact Mrs. McNamara.

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FIG. 37. R. 'Furnivall's Daughter'. Clone of R. 'Mrs. Furnival' selfed. Raised and introduced by Knap Hill Nursery. England, early 1950's. Generally resembles 'Mrs. Furnival' in flower but with taller truss of slightly deeper pink Plant interesting out of flower with its large, deeply veined, dark green foliage. (Editor)             Cecil Smith photo

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