A Hobbyist's Method of Growing Rhododendrons From Seed Molly
Grothaus, Lake Oswego, Oregon We start our rhododendrons from
seed in a hobby greenhouse which we try to keep several degrees
above freezing. Our heating equipment will only hold out 15° of
frost, and several times during January and February the
temperature in the greenhouse may slide a few degrees below
freezing during the night. Seed planting is delayed until mid
February so that the rhododendrons emerge as the light hours are
lengthening and outdoor temperatures rising. The small plants
experience no slowing of growth and February started seeds have
produced for us a higher percentage of sturdy plants with fewer
losses than have seeds planted in November, December or January.
The major problem facing the amateur growing rhododendrons from
seed is the control of the post emergent diseases, in particular
damping-off which can kill a stand of seedlings in a few days.
Some rhododendron seed is truly irreplaceable, but at the very
least the loss of a