JARS v50n1 - An ARS Retrospective: Our Fifth Decade, Part VII, 1988-1990

An ARS Retrospective: Our Fifth Decade, Part VII, 1988-1990
Franklin H. West
Narberth, Pennsylvania

1988
On the winter cover, an evergreen azalea: 'Williamsburg' bred and named by Sandra McDonald for the 44th annual meeting of the ARS in Virginia. Peter Cox described his trip to Western China in 1986 (1988, pp. 2-5, 41-44) Karel Hieke described his breeding and propagation programs in Czechoslovakia.

The Research Committee chaired by George Ring presented a new prioritized list of 11 research needs. (1988, p. 10) Gwen Bell retold Jim Elliott's colorful recollections of Halfdan Lem. (1988, pp. 11-14)

Norman Pellett and Karen Alpert at the University of Vermont grew R. calendulaceum and R. prinophyllum seed collected from northern, higher-elevation sources for growing in Vermont. Those seedlings tended to bloom earlier than plants from more southerly sources. (1988, pp. 23-25, 39-40) An A.E. was given to Leach's 'Luxor' and C.A.'s to 'Wee Bee', 'Yaku Prince' and 'Congo'.

Among our new members in 1988: E. & R. Goodemoot, Thorkild Godsk, Bengt-ove Olsson, A. & J. VanNoort, Connie Yates, T & R. Vander Sluis, E. & R. Newton, Joel Perlmutter, Ian Elliot, V. Zola, Aldo Nardini, Gladys Bones, M. & B. Brookhyser, M. & L. Kraxberger, E. & M. Walton, Dr. Roger Kocheff, Susan Woodward, Sten VandeVeen, Samuro Yamamoto, Joan Vinnedge, F. & V. Orthlieb, G. & M. Whyte, Leila Charbonneau, George Butko, Bobbie McLaver, Gay Morrison, Claire Ackroyd, Nancy Evans, Edward Manigault, Sheldon Schwarzbrott, Jan Dekens, H. & M. Fairbairn, Betty Elliott, Mrs. Frank Hall, Chas. & Mary Gilman, Roger Pardieck, Mr. & Mrs. Seth Sleezer, Brian & Muriel Knights, Barbara Leypoldt, Bill & Marilyn Clough, A. & R. Soregaroli. Death came in 1988 to Mrs. R.J. Coker, Maletta Yates, Rudolph Berg, Pauline Acaiturri, Curt Huey, Bill Curtis.

Dick Gustafson gave a fine account of Ben & Marion Shapiro's New Jersey hybridizing, inspired by Joe Gable.(1988, pp. 62-65) Bill Jenkins searched for rhododendrons in Nepal. (1 988, pp. 66-69) E. White Smith read Jean Minch's article (1987, p. 112) and installed a micro-sprinkler system in his garden and told how to do it. (1988, pp. 70-71) Fred Galle heard wild honeysuckle talking and recorded their conversation. (1988, pp. 72-74). Bob Badger followed Augie Kehr's advice on how to hybridize a yellow evergreen azalea and reported his progress. (1988, pp. 75-79)

President Greer continued his campaign for 10,000 members of the ARS by 1991. He envisaged conjoining ARS, ASA, RSC and the Pacific Rhododendron Society into one organization. (1988, p. 79) Pat Halligan acquainted us with light-induced pigmentation patterns in flowers and showed its role in making hybrids. He said light dependent pigmentation patterns are notoriously capricious. (1988, pp. 82-85, 115)

Felice Blake introduced us to George Tindale's Memorial Garden at Pallant's Hill, in Sherbrooke, Australia. (1988, pp. 86-89, 119) Dr. Reid Bahnson of Winston-Salem wrote of white catawbas old and new, including two pure whites: 'Clark's White' and 'Ken's Find'. (1988, pp. 90-93)

The 1988 Western Regional Conference was held at Everett, Wash., instead of Vancouver, B.C. The Great Lakes Chapter and the Rhododendron Society of Canada held a joint annual meeting at Ann Arbor. Niels Barford described his visits to seven Scottish gardens. (1988, pp. 94-97)

Richard Piacentini showed us the LuShan Botanical Garden 350 miles southwest of Shanghai. (1988, p. 98) Theo Smid told us how to decipher botanical Latin for words beginning with A and B (pp. 152-157) and for C and D (pp. 227-31). Insecticidal soap reduced lacebug infestations by 80-86% compared to 100% by Orthene, reported by Stanton Gill and Michael Raupp. (1988, pp. 103-104). The 1989 Annual Convention was announced for Victoria, B.C.

Dr. Don Kellam shared some hints on winning blue ribbons at flower shows. (1988, pp. 107-108) Of medals given in 1988: the Bronze by Midwest to Donald Paden; by Mason Dixon to H. Edward Reiley; by Philadelphia to Mrs. Julian W. (Polly) Hill and Ken & Renee Miller; by Tacoma to Bill & Carol Hicks; by Vancouver to Horace E. West; by Seattle to Greg Kesterson; by Tacoma to Kenneth & Margaret Kent and James & Genevieve Kowalsky; by Valley Forge to Robert & Helene Huber and Joan & Reid Warren; by Vancouver to Leslie K.C. Clay; the Gold Medal to Dr. David L. Goheen by ARS at Williamsburg and a Silver Medal to Dr. Sandra McDonald. The Bronze by Azalea to Edith Davis and Ben Sims; by Connecticut to Clifford Desch; by Eugene to Everett Hall and Stanley Hall and Nora & Winston Blake and Adelia Wojniak; by Mason-Dixon to Helen Myers; by Piedmont to Charlie Dewey and Donald S. Kellam Jr.; by Portland to Don Dunstan and Robert Landregan; by Vancouver to Jean A. Rhodes; by California to Ceda McCombs and Arthur Whitehair; by Lewis County to Richard & Shirley Fullerton; by Noyo to Peter Schick; by Seattle to Bob McNulty; and by Vancouver to Frank Dorsey.

Monty Monsees made a 46' x 42' garden seem larger by using Japanese design elements. (1988, pp. 122-125, 179) Lyon Arboretum in Manoa Valley on Oahu contains 29 vireya species (their goal is 300!), reported Robert Hirano and appraised by George Ring. (1988, pp. 126-128) Martha Prince told of her fun with a small greenhouse. (1988, pp. 129-130). Ed Bancroft gave good photo advice. (1988, pp. 105-106, 131-132)

J.L. Rouse, E.G. Williams and R.B. Knox report a vireya azaleodendron ( R. retusum x R. nudiflorum now periclymenoides ) with pictures. (1988, pp. 133-137, 166-167) W.N. Harden Jr. told how he lengthens the blooming seasons in Georgia by selecting very early and very late varieties. (1988, pp. 138-139, 172) Robert Stockmal, landscape architect, wrote of garden designs with rhododendrons with sketches. (1988, pp. 140-141) Felice Blake found her best gold lepidote in 'R.W. Rye' ( R. chrysodoron x R. johnstoneanum ). (1988, p. 142)

The 1988 Southeastern Regional Conference was held at Roswell Summit, Ga., on Nov. 4-6, the Northeast Regional Conference at Danbury, Conn., on Oct. 29-30 and the Western Regional at Everett, Wash., on Oct. 7-9. President Greer's address to the 1988 Annual Convention, attended by 600 registrants at Williamsburg, Va., urged the membership to "spread the joy" to friends and neighbors. Two new chapters were welcomed: Yamhill County, Sue Greenlees, president, in District 4, and Lehigh Valley, Bruce Keyser, president, in District 8.

Wm. C. Miller gives an interesting analysis of the azalea 'Ben Morrison'. (1988, pp. 159-161) The third year report of the Ross-Boge R. macrophyllum expedition states "any red flower seen at a distance will turn light pink close up; a white flower seen at a distance also turns ordinary pink close up." (1988, pp. 162-166) Bill Dale provided a fine cover picture of R. calophytum and a description of the Nicholas Abkhazi garden in Victoria, B.C. (1988, pp. 182-185) Warren Stokes, Pennsylvania hybridizer, was memorialized by A.W. Smith. (1988, pp. 187-188)

The deer problem with rhododendrons was presented by P.F. Leslie. (1988, p. 189) Frank Doleshy helped make sense of the new Japanese Pontica rhododendron classification, a synthesis of the views of Sleumer, Chamberlain, Hara, and Yamazaki. (1988, pp. 190-194, 234-235)

A.E.'s were given to 'Julia Grothaus' and 'Taurus' in 1988. Susan Baker gave tips on rooftop gardening with rhodies in Vancouver, B.C. (1988, p.201) "Yak Clones: Hybrids or Species?" provided an interesting debate between M.J. Harvey and D.G. Leach on the status of a mating of R. yakushimanum clones made by Francis Hanger at Exbury and grown on by Leach, who selected 'Mist Maiden' and 'Pink Parasol' out of the 400 nearly identical seedlings raised. Leach opined: species! (1988, pp. 202-209, 238)

Caroline Gable wrote of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy's efforts to save the rhododendron balds from development. (1988,pp. 210-213) Felice Blake wrote in praise of 'Vanessa Pastel' [( R. souliei x R. fortunei ) x R. griersonianum ]. (1988, p. 214) Herbert Spady, M.D., depicted Sir George Campbell's Crarae Glen Garden in Scotland where rhododendrons were used for ornamental effects. (1988, pp. 215-216, 239) David Goheen shared some thoughts on the species: "I have no idea why rhododendrons are such unchaste, wanton creatures. That they are so is a delight to fanciers and offers unlimited possibilities for new varieties." In the main, species are prevented from crossing by various isolating mechanisms, he said. (1988, pp. 217-220)

Jack Paxton and Rita Hiajenga at the University of Illinois showed that a biocontrol bacterium provided a 60% effective control of PJM Group cuttings exposed to Phytophthora . (1988, pp. 224-225)

1989

C.J. French and J. Alsbury discovered that dibbling slow release fertilizers at perimeter of containers was superior to mixing them in the growing medium. (1989, pp. 12-18) Homer Salley reported on the progeny of 'Ronald Otto Delp' with photos. (1989, pp. 2-5, 58) Polly Hill found a mystery in her red R. maximum NA15524-C. (1989, pp. 6-7) Norman Pellett and Karen Alpert found fall color best in native azaleas from northern or high altitude sources. (1989, pp. 8-11) Bill Dale excerpted 74 letters from George Fraser to Joe Gable. (1989, p. 19) Mark Konrad, M.D., presented four ( R. maximum x R. yakushimanum ) hybrids, (1989, pp. 23-24)

President Greer announced a dues increase to $26. Gordon Wylie announced the formation of a speaker's bureau.

Herb & Betty Spady reported on rhododendrons in Australia. (1989, pp. 26-28) Members were invited to Victoria, B.C., for the Annual Convention in 1989. Vancouver Island rhododendron pioneers Richard Layritz, George Fraser, the Simpsons and the Greigs were featured. (1989, pp. 29-37, 56-59) Felice Blake praised R. elegantulum of the Taliensia subsection thought by Chamberlain possibly to be a hybrid of R. bureavii with R. adenogynum . (1989, p. 9) The 22nd Annual Rhododendron Festival was held in Eureka, Calif., in early May, Catherine Fanucchi reported. (1989, p. 41)

Medals in 1989: the Bronze by Komo Kulshan to Cora Zoberst; by Massachusetts to Beatrice MacDonald and Robert P. Fox; by Middle Atlantic to Barbara Hall (who chaired the Williamsburg meeting) and David Lay; by Olympia to Jessie & Dan Macomber; by Noyo to Dr. Leonard W. Charvet; by Tappan Zee to Paul Tabio and Alfred E. Hoffman; by Vancouver to Alice & Robert Mann; by Fraser Valley to Milton Wildfong; by Massachusetts to Richard Chaikin; by North Kitsap to Henry Helm and Neal Nunnemaker; by Portland to Paula Cash, Adele Jones and Harvey Welch; by Princeton to Jeanne & Richard Gustafson; by Vancouver to Garth Wedemire; by California to Theo C. Smid and Caroline Laib; by New York to Herman Gehnrich and Nat Hess; by Seattle to Alyce McBrayer, Clint Smith, Beulah Tanggard, Judith Young and Lynn Watts; by Siuslaw to Thurston Skei and Margaret & Willard Thompson. Among our new members in 1989: Martin Grantham, Finn Okholm, R.G. Katz, Dr. Clay Shelton, E. Wormser, Alain Stervinou, Lily Vanderhorst, M & T. Myint, Mrs. G.W. Clarke, Holly Hedges, Peter Mygatt, P.G. Valder, R. & M. Charbonneau, C. & B. Starkweather, Greg Kesterson, Hideaki Ohazama, Linda Gunn, S. & D. Muller, M. Cullinane, Alleyne Cook, Ellen Guttormsen, Mark Henny, Phyllis & Gilbert Slater, Ann Venable, Beulah Bullard, B. & B. Creveling. Death came in 1989 to: George W. Clarke, Col. Andrew Paton, John P. Evans, M.D., Henry Dumper, Dr. Stuart Holland, A.W. Kraxberger, A.W. Smith.

Martha Prince took us to the home of the New York Chapter at Planting Fields. (1989, pp. 62-68, 122-127) Clive Justice shared some second thoughts on rhododendron landscapes. (1989, pp. 69-72) Jim Gerdemann described his breeding for hardy vireyas. (1989, pp. 75-77) Peter Cox explored Bhutan in 1988 with a P.S. by Warren Berg. (1989, pp. 78-86) August Kehr's proposals on evergreen azaleas: he urged an azalea species garden; a revision of Obtusum subseries classification; and a search in the northern Orient for 27 azalea species not yet in cultivation. (1989, pp. 87-90)

Registrar Jay Murray presented 15 months' registrations of 165 plant names in a 16-page insert in the spring issue. ARS finances in 1989 showed assets of nearly $128,000; an income of $110,000 and expenses of $113,00 of which the Journal took half.

Satoshi Yamaguchi and Yoshiki Hirata at Kurume, Japan, followed George Ring's lead (1977, pp. 226-232) in producing a viable seedling of an evergreen x deciduous azalea. (1989, pp. 97-99) Frank Blazich and Juan Acedo at North Carolina State University micropropagated R. calendulaceum (1989, pp. 100-101,118), and Clarence Towe described corolla variations in that species. (1989, pp. 103-104)

'Puyallup Centennial'* made the spring cover, bred by Fred Minch and reported by Bob Minnich. (1989, pp. 106-107) David Leach, Charles Fink and Wilmer Stowe at North Madison, Ohio, sought to find the stage of pollen development when that tissue is most "plastic." It appeared most plastic at stage VII (a month before flowering) when pollen nuclei divide by mitosis to form completed pollen. Tissue culture of haploid cells was not accomplished. Their goal was to quickly produce haplodiploid plants which would be homozygous (absolutely uniform), never before achieved except through decades of intensive in-breeding. (1989, pp. 128-132)

Donald Voss explained why it's R. nakaharae , not nakaharai . (1989, pp. 133-134) C.J. French and J. Alsbury at Sidney, B.C., found weak acetone soaks prior to IBA treatments enhanced rooting of spring propagated 'Brittania' cuttings, but not the fall. CO ₂ mist inhibited rooting; night illumination had no benefit for rooting. (1989, pp. 139-142) Austin Kennell wrote of mulch ado about nothing. (1989, p. 142) Felice Blake praised a glorious foursome of maddeniis: lindleyi , dalhousiae , nuttallii , and taggianum (1989, pp. 143-144)

At the 53-acre Meerkerk Garden on Whidbey Island, a rhododendron hybrid test garden was established. Ratings will be made by a committee chaired by Pat Halligan (Ratings chair). He urged a network of test gardens throughout the country. First ratings were published for 65 clones on pp. 164-170; tops for flowers and plant: 'Gwen Bell'*, 'Lem's Cameo', 'Princess Anne', 'Shamrock', 'Taurus' (hybrid of the year), 'Trude Webster', and 'Yaku Angel'. (1989,pp. 145-149)

Michael Robert called attention to the 9th Annual Western Regional Conference at Portland in the fall. George Ring announced four research grants for 1989. Ben Skoog, M.D., of Gothenburg described his impressions of Yulong Shan in the Yang Tze bend of northern Yunnan. (1989, pp. 154-157, 178-180) Mark Konrad, M.D., described three clones of a ('Janet Blair' x 'Mary Belle' ) cross. (1989, pp. 158-159)

Jay Murray published plant names registered Feb.-May on p. 159 and May-Aug. on pp. 225-226. At the 1989 Annual Convention in Victoria, B.C., Austin Kennell took over the presidency from Harold Greer, and Barbara Hall succeeded Paula Cash as Executive Secretary. Dues were increased by $5. Two new British Columbia chapters were welcomed: Cowichan Valley, Catherine Millar, president, and Fraser South, Leslie Clay, president.

Theo Smid continued finding meanings in plant names (E & F, pp. 43-46; G to K, pp. 107-112; L to O, pp. 166-172). On the fall cover: ( R. konori x 'Hunstein's Secret'), with an article by L.A. Craven and J.L. Rouse from Australia on the story of 'Hunstein's Secret', a New Guinea vireya. (1989, pp. 186-189) Walter Behrendt presented the rhododendrons of the Missouri Botanical Garden.(1989, pp. 182-185) Edmund De Rothschild's speech to the Victoria Annual Convention about his Exbury Gardens was adapted for this journal. (1989, pp. 190-194) John Thornton told of good doers in the Gulf South region. He especially praised 'Damozel', R. hyperythrum , R. pseudochrysanthum , R. morii , R. maximum , ( R. decorum x R. fortunei ), ( R. minus x R. chapmanii ).

Felice Blake suggests planting rhododendron trees of the Arborea subsection. (1989, pp. 202-203)

W.H. Wills from V.P.I, did not find hoped for biocontrol of Phytophthora by a common soil fungus, but two fungicides significantly reduced infection: metalaxyl and ethazole. (1989, pp. 205, 227-228) Jon M. Valigorsky, M.D., reported cold climate performance of Dexter rhododendrons. "Ironclad" were: 'Wyandanch Pink', 'Warwick'*, 'Dexter's Purple'*, 'Great Eastern' and 'Bosley Dexter 1016'*. (1989, pp. 206-209, 232-235) John K. Elliott described his oriental style garden at Harwichport, Mass. (1989, pp. 210-213) Weldon Delp's greenhouse and cold house were destroyed by fire. (1989, p. 214) Al W. Smith told of the debut of 'Vinecrest'. (1989, p. 215)

Stanton Gill and Michael Raup at the University of Maryland found neem tree extract a poor control of azalea lacebug, as compared to insecticidal soap (91% reduction) and Orthene (100%). (1989, pp. 216-217) Describing powdery mildew as perhaps the worst problem to afflict rhododendrons, Kenneth N.E. Cox tells what actions to take. (1989, pp. 218-219) Joseph Gable's legacy was appraised with many quotes from his writings. (1989, pp. 220-222, 239-240) Theo Smid's part 7 of plant names, sense and sound (P to S). (1989, pp. 227-233)

1990

Felice Blake introduced us to the charming children of 'Yaku Fairy'. (1990, pp. 2-4) Clive Justice shared his observations on the Malaysian Peninsula rhododendrons. (1990, pp. 5-9) G.C. Douglas, M.C. Heslin and C. Reid of Dublin, Ireland, described in fine detail their research on mycorrhizal roots of rhododendrons. (1990, pp. 10-14, 59) Ken-ichi Arisumi, Yusuke Sakata and Sawako Takeshita at Kagoshima, Japan, studied the genetically recessive pigment constitution of R. griersonianum . (1990, pp. 15-17) Phil Waldman discussed the behavior of tissue culture plants. (1990, pp. 19-20) Michael Grear presented the Brighton Azalea Gardens in suburban D.C. (1990, pp. 22-24)

Linda Wylie took over the Seed Exchange from Bill Tietjen. Bill Moyles described the vireya Seed Exchange. (1990, p. 25) Jonathan Leonard discussed the Cowles' Dexter hybrids. (1990, pp. 30-32, 55) Jon Valigorsky, M.D., extended invitations to the 1990 ARS Convention on Cape Cod, seconded by "Tim" Craig. (1990, pp. 39, 54) Awards of Excellence were given to 'Too Bee' and 'Wee Bee' by Warren Berg. Frank Dorsey praised R. kiusianum for the rock garden. (1990, pp. 40-41)

Registrar Jay Murray presented the plant names registered for fall 1989 on p. 47. "If you named it, did you register it?" Theo Smid continued the sense and sound of rhododendron Latin (T, U, V, pp. 49-53; W, X, Y, Z, pp. 110-112). Gwen Bell wrote of red hills and limestone mountains in Yunnan on a trip with Warren Berg and others. Bruce Leber tested the soil pH. (1990, pp. 62-70, 71-72) Clarence Barrett visited the James Barto farm 10 miles west of Junction City, Ore., where Barto worked a brief 15 years. (1990, p. 73) S. Yamaguchi described the 1989 Azalea Festival at Kurume, Japan. (1990, pp. 74-75) Von Jolley and Tim Davis describe their research on nutrient deficiency. Symptoms were well defined for B, Fe, Mg, N and S deficiencies. (1990, pp. 76-77) Barrie Porteous described Joe Brueckner's Canadian hybrids bred at Mississauga, south of Toronto. (1990, pp. 78-83)

George F. Ryan disputes Arthur Myer's findings on the role of phosphorus in flower bud formation, citing Robert Ticknor's discovery of decreased flower bud formation with triple phosphates, unless iron chelates were applied simultaneously. When both nitrogen and phosphorus levels produce healthy new growth, flower bud formation is optimal. (1990, pp. 84-87, 118-119) C.J. Patterson prepared 1990 Convention goers for a visit to Arnold Arboretum. (1990, pp. 88-90)

Jay Murray presented the registry of rhododendron names for Feb. 1989-Feb. 1990 with over 100 additions. (1990 summer issue insert) John Thornton described breeding rhododendrons for the Gulf South. He praised R. hyperythrum as a parent. R. arboreum gives drought resistance. (1990, pp. 91-93, 105-106) Betty Sheedy invites ARS members to visit the Cecil & Molly Smith Garden in 1990. (1990, pp. 98-90) Homer Salley advises that both 'Mrs. Furnivall' and 'Furnivall's Daughter' have two l's.** (1990, p. 107) Felice Blake praised the bigeneric hybrids within Ericaceae. (1990, pp. 102, 120)

Marcia Mitchell described the Atwater Garden for the Cape Cod Convention tourists. (1990, pp. 103-104) At the 1990 Annual Convention at Hyannis, Mass., two new chapters were welcomed: Mt. Arrowsmith (B.C.), Everett Jefferson, president, and Ozark Area (Okla., Texas, Mo., Ark.), Dr. Leonard Miller, president. Gold Medals were presented to Frank L. Doleshy and Polly Hill; Silvers to Harold Johnson and E. White Smith.

Erhard Moser of East Berlin presented the Seidel rhododendrons bred from 1806-1930 in Dresden with photos and list of clones of which 'Hélène Schiffner' is best known. (1990, pp. 122-124, 166-167) Bill Dale presented the story of George Fraser, Canadian rhododendron pioneer, who was given a posthumous Pioneer Award at the 1991 Annual Convention. (1990, pp. 125-126, 176) Anna Knuttel described certain troubles with tissue cultured plants. (1990, pp. 130-131) George Woodard announced the New York Chapter test garden at Phipps Estate on Long Island. (1990, p. 133)

Glen Wise described Dr. Wm. Rhein's garden and his hybrids in the Susquehanna Valley. On the summer cover: 'Maroon Sappho'* by Rhein, ('Sappho' x 'Janet Blair'). (1990, pp. 134-137) Felice Blake wrote of the hybrids of R. ludlowii . (1990, pp. 138-139) Willis Harden described growing rhododendrons in the warm Southeast. (1990, pp. 140-142) The Western Regional Conference was announced to meet at Whistler, B.C., in October 1990. Lynn Thompson's striking professional photos of R. macrophyllum .(1990, pp. 147-150)

Ken Gibson presented his propagating frame for cuttings (pp. 151-153). John Harrington, a high school junior, studied rhododendron propagation, applying four rooting hormones in various combinations: best results came from naphthalene acetic acid. The most negative effect came from Indole-3 acetic acid. (1990, pp. 154-160, 173-175) Don Paden, Martin Meyer and A. Lane Rayburn at the University of Illinois determined the doubling of chromosomes in plants treated with colchicine by counting the chloroplast number of epidermal guard cells (the "skin" of mature leaves) with an epi-fluorescence microscope. This proved to be a speedy easy method of determining ploidy. (1990, pp. 162-165, 171)

Plant name registrations from Feb. to May 1990 were listed on p. 172. Howard Roberts encouraged more members to become growers from seed. (1990, pp. 182-184, 232) More of Austin Kennell's homespun humor about plant label "hang ups." (1990, p. 185) Martha Brockenbrough (Dr. Ned's daughter) described the Noel & Ernie Kolak's rhody garden on the San Francisco Peninsula. (1990, pp. 186-188) Walter Magor's "A History of Rhododendrons" from a Cornwall perspective covers all the essentials from species to hybrids. (1990, pp. 189-191, 228-231) Frank Doleshy introduced Hirokazu Maehara's article on ( R. metternichii x R. micranthum ) and provided a footnote on Latin and Japanese plant names. (1990, pp. 194-195, 226, 227) Mark Konrad, M.D., described his experiences with root pruning rhododendrons. (1990, p. 196)

Udai C. Pradham, founder of the Himalayan Plant Journal in 1982, described his exploration of Northeast Sikkim with Sonam Lachungpa. They collected 52 rhododendron specimens. (1990, pp. 198-204) Clive Justice drew up a garden plan for a Northeast rhody enthusiast. On the fall cover: the splendid foliage of 'Golfer'. (1990, pp. 210-211) Southeastern ratings for rhododendrons were provided by Russell Gilkey, with 'Acclaim', 'Alice Poore', 'Bass River', 'Accomplishment', 'Cloud Nine', 'Governor's Mansion', 'Aronimink', and 'Dexter's Purple'* getting high marks. (1990, pp. 212-214) A study by Asiah Malek, Frank Blazich, Stuart Warren and James Shelton of North Carolina State University on light and temperature influence on germination of R. calendulaceum seed revealed that best results came at 25°C (77°F) illuminated for 18-24 hours daily. (1990, pp. 215-217) Barbara Campbell described the Sonoma Horticultural Nursery at Sebastopol, on the tour for the 1991 convention at Oakland, and Karen Morebeck presented the nursery Enjoy Rhododendrons also on the tour. (1990, p.225)

Bronze Medals in 1990: by California to Marvin A. Larson and John J. Spring; by DeAnza to Charles Miller; by Eureka to Halvor Braafladt; by North Kitsap to Alice Poot Smith; by Redwood Empire to Don & Betty Dulac; by Southeastern to Russell & Gloria Gilkey, Robert & Evelyn Bowman and David & Naoma Dean; by Azalea to Richard Clapp and Fran & Allison Fuqua; by Tacoma to Bill & Myrna Brackman, Kathy & John Birshong and Joe & Mavis Davis; by Victoria to Bill Dale, Alec McCarter, Evelyn Weesjes and Norman Todd; by Scotland to Edmund A.T. Wright; by Massachusetts to Laura Nichols and John Quinn; by Portland to Ernie Metcalf and Molly Smith; by Tualatin Valley to MaBelle McCornack and Paul Taylor; by Willamette to Jason Ashford.

George Ring announced that seven research projects were funded by the Research Foundation this year. Felice Blake saw Pacific Northwest gardens and nurseries with an Aussie's keen eyes. (1990, pp. 222-224) Freezing R. yakushimanum seed caused them to germinate poorly, said John McGuire. (1990, p. 227)

The plant registry from May 15 to Aug. 15, 1990, was published on pp. 234-235 by the registrar Jay Murray. A Southeastern district meeting was announced for Commerce, Ga., in November 1990.

Five rhododendrons have been given the S.P.A. since 1971; and 38 clones have received the A.E. since 1956. Very few had regional notations to tell where they do best. (1990, p. 236) Among our new members in 1990: Howard Kerrigan, Judith Shrum, Valentine Cullen, Frank Parker, E. & A. Capriola, Frank Fujioka, Myo Myint, M. & J. Frothingham, Jim & Jean Greig, Chas. & Sharon Bogle, Dale & Carol McCurdy, Peggy Parr, James Gladwin, Betty & Paul Mazzucchi, Susan Crocker, Bjorn Wied, R.D. & C.H. Lownes, A. & M. Laycock, N. & D. Arrington, J. & M. Lofthouse, Blanche Darnell, R. & K. Bledsoe, Sir Colin & Lady Mary Campbell, B. & J. Walls, L.F. & L.A. Clay, Wm. H. Peck, Bengt Eriksson, L.G. Owen, T. Huisman, I.M. Renton, P. & A. Knoepfel. Death came in 1990 to: Mrs. Thomas W. Koenig, Mrs. Ray James, Sidney V. Burns, George W. Harding, James B. White, Kaname Kato, Roy L. Hudson, P.H. "Jock" Brydon, Lloyd E. Partain, Everett E. Farwell Jr. and David L. Dean.

* Name not registered.
** The RHS continues to spell the names as registered: 'Mrs. Furnival' and 'Mrs. Furnivall's Daughter'.