Rhododendron Growing

click the images for a larger image... some of the many seedlings grown here

We have started a "Blog" aimed at Rhododendron/Azalea Seed growers who have participated in the annual Seed Exchanges over the last several years. It is entitled "Atlantic Rhodo Seed Growers". Check out the link. Participants are welcome. Just email for directions if you have questions re access.

There is also a Blog showcasing plants grown from ARS Seed Exchange seed.
"ARS Seed Exchange Showcase"

We have a version of a slide show "Growing Rhododendrons from Seed" here on our website.
It is a modified Power Point show, and is usually BEST viewed with Internet Explorer as browser.
Frames used do not seem to be properly supported by Netscape.
There are some losses in quality in the "translation", but the salient features are there and hopefuly provide some helpful hints to those needing to gain experience in growing Rhododendrons.

Anyone who might wish to have a copy of the actual presentation may send their name, address and five(5) $.52 stamps to us, and we will send a copy on CD. This offer will have to be in CANADA only, since foreign stamps just won't work. We really do not wish to deal with currency!

Address - Sharon Bryson, #407 Old Maryvale Rd., RR#3 Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2L1 CANADA

or contact us via email

Below is the link to an article written for The ARS Journal a few years ago.
The information is essentially the same, although there have been some minor changes in medium.
'How to Grow Rhododendrons from Seed'

More Pics of Seedling Growth

"Sproeten" blooms beautifully most years. There have been some years 'she' suffered some bud damage. Both the blooms and the plant are very nice.

Bloom 2005

In 2005 we discovered a 'sister' plant which bloomed about 10 days later. Despite being in a very crowded situation it was lovely. We have dubbed it "Ruby Lemon", as an alternative to being called "Sproeten sibling" #5.

This plant is another sibling to "Sproeten"
Winter has taken out the top quarter
of the plant. We hope the remains are okay!

Barbara Cook X Janet Blair
(ARS #765/1992)

ARS92#608 sibling dubbed "Ivory Cloud"

updated: March 14, 2010

This is rather a poor photo showing one growing chamber with fluorescent lights and trays of rhododendron seedlings, now about 4 months of age. There are two chambers such as this ; able to accommodate in excess of 1600 seedlings.	These seedlings are about 4 months of age and are growing in 6-cell packs. Most plants can quite happily stay in this size pack until outdoor transplant time in June.They are starting to show some "personality" by this stage of growth. Those in the 'know' can identify qualities that may have been contributed by one or both parents. The yellow sticky boards are to trap any stray fungus knats that may appear...they seem to like the nice moist soil in the rhododendron packs. Bill is convinced that the 'best' seedlings at this stage will likely be the 'best' once they are growing outside.
	These seedlings, from 1999 Seed Exchange, are about 8 months of age. They spend the first summer under 50% shade cloth. It is removed at summer's end. Some winter wind protection is provided by a wooden baffle around the nursey bed.They actually were completely buried in snow during the winter of 2000-2001.They came through the first winter very well. The image below shows a portion of this bed in late summer/fall 2001
This seedling bloomed for the first time in 2000. It has been tentatively named "Sproeten" Barbara Cook X Janet Blair (ARS #765/1992) Seed supplied by P.Walton, ARS member from New Jersey
"Sproeten" blooms beautifully most years. There have been some years 'she' suffered some bud damage. Both the blooms and the plant are very nice. Bloom 2005 In 2005 we discovered a 'sister' plant which bloomed about 10 days later. Despite being in a very crowded situation it was lovely. We have dubbed it "Ruby Lemon", as an alternative to being called "Sproeten sibling" #5.
This plant is another sibling to "Sproeten" Winter has taken out the top quarter of the plant. We hope the remains are okay!	Barbara Cook X Janet Blair (ARS #765/1992)
ARS95#644 'Calsap' x pachysanthum Several plants in the group. All very early bloomers with "pachysanthum" type foliage and 'Calsap' blotch	Rhododendron seedling AR'96(Alstrup)#61...a pale mauve fading to white with a very dark purple blotch. There are several siblings of this plant which bloomed in 2002-03

This yellow Rhododendron is one of several from a complex cross (ARS92#608) made by the Anderson's of New Jersey. As of spring 2003 there about 13 sibling plants	ARS92#608 sibling dubbed "Ivory Cloud"
An ivory sibling (ARS92#608) with a slight blotch	ARS92#608 sibling The search for yellow gives pink