Portland Chapter, American Rhododendron Society Monthly Meeting,
February 16,2006, 7:30 pm,
All Saints Episcopal Church, 4033 S.E. Woodstock

You've probably noticed that the big box garden stores all have the same few types of rhododendrons. Yet some gardens have wonderful rhodies in them that seem to be found nowhere else. Did you ever wonder where all those colors and sizes of rhododendrons and azaleas come from? True, some were collected from places all over the world by dedicated plant hunters. All the rest were grown from seed by people like you and me.

Dick Cavender, of Red's Rhodies will be the keynote speaker on the topic of growing rhododendrons from seed. Dick also grows many other kinds of plants, including ground orchids. He has years of experience in growing difficult and unusual plants, some of which he will share with us. This presentation will be followed by a round table discussion about growing rhodies from seeds with some of the other members of the Portland Chapter ARS.

All new hybrids are grown from seed initially. Later hybrids can be propagated vegetatively via cuttings. And some species, which breed true to form, are so difficult to propagate vegetatively that the only practical method for making more plants is to grow them from seed.

This program promises to draw a wealth of information from the Chapter's experienced growers. All attendees are invited to particpate in the discussion and to bring rhododendron seeds to exchange with others. Take this opportunity to start your seeds for 2006.

The meeting will be followed by the annual auction of COMPANION PLANTS - those plants that are not rhododendron yet which still deserve a place in your yard