Central Carolinas Chapter

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Central Carolinas Chapter Azalea Society of America January 26 Meeting Recap UPCOMING EVENTS: March 2, 2014 Special Guest Speaker Don Hyatt @ 3pm UNCC March 28-30, 2014 Convention. Charleston, SC.

com January 26 Meeting Recap We had just over twenty five people in attendance made up of members and prospective members.

1 Central Carolinas Chapter Azalea Society of America January 26 Meeting Recap UPCOMING EVENTS: March 2, 2014 Special Guest Speaker Don 3pm UNCC March 28-30, 2014 Convention. Charleston, SC. April date TBA Plant sale. Location TBA CHAPTER OFFICERS: President Chris Wetmore chriscwetmore@yahoo.com Vice President Don Halsey dogwoodatnc@bellsouth.net Treasurer Jim Wetmore jimwetmore99@yahoo.com January 26 Meeting Recap We had just over twenty five people in attendance made up of members and prospective members. We had five people join at the meeting and a couple others said they would join online! Six azaleas were also given away to those in attendance! The meeting began with Larry Mellichamp giving a wonderful slideshow presentation on the difference between rhododendrons, evergreen azaleas, and deciduous azaleas. Larry also fielded questions from the audience. Larry introduced chapter president Chris Wetmore who explained how the chapter was formed and some of the fun activities and trips that are envisioned over the first couple of years including visits to Pilot Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway. An idea came from the audience to use the azaleas in the UNCC gardens to use in a workshop. In the spring we can polinate flowers, tag them, and sow them next fall. Chris also introduced national vice-presidnet Eve Harrison, who is also a member of the Central Carolinas Chapter. Eve spoke about membership benefits. Unfortunately national president J Jackson was unable to make it due to an unexpected heavy snow in the mountains of Tennessee the day before combined with ice. J has offered to give his presentation another time and is planning to attend the March 2 meeting. The presentation was conducted by Danny Little and Chris Wetmore. Danny and Chris explained the process that Appalachian Native Plants (J Jackson and Lindy Johnson) uses to grow deciduous azaleas from seed. Printed handouts of their technique were provided in addition to the technique used by Don Hyatt. Chris also shared some of his experiences when he grew them from seed last year. More discusssions will continue on this subject at future meetings. The plan is to take members through the process from seed to mature plant. The best way to learn is to just try. You will likely form your own technique that you like or you feel works best for you. Join us: Come to one of our meetings. If you decide you would like to join, membership is $30 annually. You receive a free azalea, quarterly issues of The Azalean magazine, chapter newsletters, and access to plants not commercially available at discounted prices. Meetings can range from general discussions, workshops, guest speakers, cuttings exchanges, and field trips to nurseries or parks and gardens. 1 You will also have access to private member gardens. If you are interested in joing online click here.

What s Inside: March 2 Meeting RSVP request pg. 2 Plants for Members pg. 2 Photos of UNCC Botanical Gardens after the January 26 meeting pg. 3 Reminder insert about March 2 meeting pg.

2 What s Inside: March 2 Meeting RSVP request pg. 2 Plants for Members pg. 2 Photos of UNCC Botanical Gardens after the January 26 meeting pg. 3 Reminder insert about March 2 meeting pg. 4 Technique developed by J Jackson and Lindy Johnson of Appalachian Native Plants pgs. 5-9 Technique used by Don Hyatt pgs Coming in the spring newsletter: A Chapter handbook on native azaleas as well as a general overview of evergreen azaleas and hybrid deciduous azaleas.expect in March after March 2 meeting. March 2 Meeting 3pm Please RSVP Because we had such a great turn out at the first meeting combined with a renowned speaker we will be meeting in a larger class room beside the greenhouse. So that we can gauge the size of class room needed, please RSVP to the next meeting if possible. This does not mean you have to attend if something comes up or that you cant come if you don t RSVP. This is solely to help us pick a classroom size. RSVP to Chris Wetmore at chriscwetmore@yahoo.com. Some have asked if there is a cost to attend, no there is not. Remember to bring a friend! Plants for Members Many chapters of various plant societies have something called plants for members. This is where members can request plants on their wish list or the chapter will select plants. The chapter will then obtain cuttings of these plants or sow seed and grow them for a year or two. The small to medium sized plants are then offered to the membership at very low prices. Typically a few dollars, or enough to cover the cost of making them. Hint: The first edition of the plants for members for the Central Carolinas Chapter will be happening very soon. Either at the March 2 meeting or the following meeting. Please note you do have to be a chapter member to buy plants in this particular sale. We will be having a plant sale later in the Spring where you do not have to be a member to purchase plants. Many people at the meeting this past weekend were not as familiar with native azaleas other than the flame azalea, or calendulaceum (pronounced kal-en-dew- LAY-see-um). Well, get ready to have your socks knocked off at the next meeting with Don s presentation! Come to the greenhouse, you will be directed where to go for the meeting. Thank you!!! 2 We would also like to thank Danny and Marlene Little for setting up the wonderful snacks and refreshments at the last meeting.

After the meeting a few of us took a stroll

Despite recent frigid temps and the threat of

Edgeworthia was beginning to open up near the

You could just get a hint of the sweet fragrance.

Narcissus in bloom on a hill side near the

3 After the meeting a few of us took a stroll through the garden. Despite recent frigid temps and the threat of snow in the coming week, it was easy to tell spring was on the mind of the plants. Photos from Susie Harwood garden A waterfall with some ice due to the recent single digit temperatures. Edgeworthia was beginning to open up near the Asian Garden. You could just get a hint of the sweet fragrance. Deciduous azalea flower buds. Narcissus in bloom on a hill side near the entrance of the garden. The native plants for the home landscape garden is under construction and taking shape. The deck is very nice and rustic. Daphne bloom buds are beginning to swell. 3 Mossy roof of a gazebo.

Meeting on March 2, 2014 Don Hyatt presenting America s Treasure: Our Native Azaleas We are pleased to announce we will have Don Hyatt giving a presentation on America s Treasure: Our Native Azaleas!

4 Meeting on March 2, 2014 Don Hyatt presenting America s Treasure: Our Native Azaleas We are pleased to announce we will have Don Hyatt giving a presentation on America s Treasure: Our Native Azaleas! The rich flora of North America boasts seventeen species of native deciduous azaleas. Although some have been grown widely in Europe or used in hybridizing since the 1800 s, these native azaleas are becoming increasingly valued as adaptable landscape plants in our own country again. In this multimedia presentation, Don Hyatt will try to give attendees an appreciation for the range of flower color and form of our native azaleas as they exist in the wild. He will discuss a few tips on how to tell the various species apart as well as specific cultural requirements to assist home gardeners. He will also try to give people an appreciation for the scenic wild places where these species often grow. Don s presentations are typically fast paced and informative. Although illustrated with many lovely photographs, don t be surprised by the occasional humorous anecdote or Photoshop image. Don hopes his enthusiasm for native plants and wild places will encourage others to join with him in preserving this beauty for future generations. Please note the meeting time for this meeting will be 3pm. This is due to another group meeting earlier. 4 Biography: Donald Hyatt has been gardening at his family home in McLean, VA, since early childhood. He holds a BS degree in Horticulture with a double major in Biochemistry, and a Master s degree in Computer Science, all from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The shady garden he has created over the past 60 years emphasizes azaleas, rhododendrons, and wildflowers. Don has received a number of awards for his work with rhododendrons and azaleas including both the Silver Medal in 2002 and the Gold Medal in 2012 from the American Rhododendron Society. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Azalea Society of America in He has served on the national Boards of both organizations and is the current Director for ARS District 9. Although professionally a mathematics and computer science teacher in Fairfax County, VA for 33 years, Don has maintained a life-long interest in plants of all kinds. Now retired, he enjoys having more time to pursue his varied horticultural interests including gardening, photography, botanical illustration, and the study of native plants in the wild. For more information, check out his personal website:

5 Growing Native Azaleas from Seed J. P. Jackson and Lindy Johnson Appalachian Native Plants Inc, PO Box 736 Mountain City, TN Plant Preservation through Propagation and Production Introduction: Appalachian Native Plants Inc. is a 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to preserving and propagating native azaleas and rhododendron from seed. We are located near Mountain City in the Blue Ridge Mountains of north east Tennessee. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone is 6A. In practice there are many different native azalea seed propagation methods that yield relatively successful results. One of our goals is to produce healthy, fully rooted fifty cell plugs from seed in six to eight months. Integrated Pest Management methods are used through out our plant production. Growing azaleas and rhododendron from seed is an old topic which has been presented several times to International Plant Propagators Society meetings. Our plant mentor, Zophar Warner gave a presentation titled Azaleas from Seed at the Forth Annual Plant Propagators Society meeting on December 4, 1954 in Cleveland Ohio. The following is a quote from Mr. Warner s presentation: Now, if I seem to be going a little bit too much into detail, the people who know how to do this aren t going to change their method anyhow and I am sure the people who don t know can have success by using this method. 5

6 Propagation of native azaleas and rhododendron from seed: It is very important to know your seed source. The seed parents are chosen based on characteristics of flower, foliage, structure, and health. We predominately grow open pollinated seed. Open pollinated seed appeals to us because there is variability and sometimes an exceptional plant comes through a seedling population. We believe that genetic variability is good for plant populations. In our mountain region seed collecting begins in October but many friends send us seed that are collected earlier in the year from plant populations further south. The seed pods are dried in open pans. They should not be crushed, cutting or breaking them in half yields cleaner seed and fewer problems. Cleaned seed is sown from December through January. Some species require longer growing times in order to finish a plug in one season. No pretreatment stratification is required prior to sowing. The seed is sown by hand directly onto 10x20x2 inch community trays filled to a depth of 1.75 inches with Growers grade milled sphagnum peat moss. The media should be moist but not be too wet (soggy). After sowing we spray the seed and media surface with fungicide to prevent damping off issues. Germination generally takes place in nine to fourteen days after sowing. Clear plastic domes are used to cover the trays, creating a high humidity environment. The trays are placed on tables covered with propagation mats set at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Eight foot cool white shop lights are hung six inches above the media surface and are 6

7 illuminated continuously. After the seedlings have formed a second set of leaves liquid fertilizer ( w/minors) mixed at 75ppm is applied every ten days as a foliar spray. In early to mid March the seedling trays are moved to the greenhouse propagation tables and hardened off for two weeks prior to transplanting into fifty cell propagation trays. These propagation tables have bottom heat provided by hot water circulated through one half inch pex pipe embedded in perlite. The water is heated with three solar hot water panels and a forty gallon electric hot water heater. The greenhouse has an air based geothermal system which prevents freezing temperatures and cools the greenhouse during the day. This allows for significant savings in fuel costs. There has been no propane consumed during the last four growing seasons. The geo-thermal system buffers greenhouse temperatures. In mid April the greenhouse is covered with thirty or forty percent shade cloth. This group of plants is classified woody ornamentals although the first six to eight months of growth they are herbaceous. It was suggested that we treat the seedlings as herbaceous plants while they are in the greenhouse. A more preventive growing protocol for the greenhouse phase of production was adapted and has yielded significant improvements. A commercially prepared media consisting of peat, pine bark and perlite is used to fill the plug trays. The peat based media is a vector for pests and pathogens. Prior to transplanting the media is drenched with fungicides designed to prevent phytophthora 7

8 spp. and ryzoctonia solani. The trays are then allowed to rest for two or three days prior to transplanting. It is very important that the seedlings are planted in the plug tray at the same depth as they were growing in the community tray. Planting too deep causes a slow growth response and from our experience can kill the seedling in a few weeks. At the time of transplanting the seedlings are sprayed with an adjuvant mixed with a broad spectrum foliar fungicide. This treatment reduces transplant shock and disease pressures. This is one of the preventative measures adopted after talking with our friend that grows bedding plants. All transplanting from the community trays to plug trays should be completed by May 1 st. After the transplanting is complete the plug trays are drenched with a product containing Streptomyces lydicus (strain WYEC 108) and a neonicotinoid class insecticide. Other insecticides are applied as needed. We apply alternating fungicide drenches every two weeks for the first six weeks. In the greenhouse liquid fertilizers are used as constant feed at a rate of 75ppm. The following fertilizers are alternated every ten days: acid special with minors with minors hydroponic tomato fertilizer Beginning in July the plug trays are moved from the greenhouse to cold frames covered with thirty percent shade cloth. Fertilization and IPM continues in the shade houses. In late November the cold frames are covered with 3 mil white poly for over wintering. No supplemental heat is used through the winter. 8

9 The following April and May plugs that are not sold are transplanted into four and one half inch (4.5 ) square containers. The volume of these containers is ten times that of the plugs root mass. We found that an overly large container slows plant growth. The containers are filled with composted pine bark fines and drenched with Streptomyces lydicus (strain WYEC 108). Slow release fertilizer with minors is applied at the low rate as a top dressing. These quarts finish by fall. Also during April and May unsold finished quarts are transplanted into three gallon squat pots filled with composted pine bark fines and top dressed with the same slow release fertilizer. On average it takes eighteen months to finish a three gallon azalea from a quart liner. Conclusion: These growing methods have improved plant growth and have reduced average production times. Our opinion is that this success has been accomplished by using prophylactic measures in the herbaceous stage of growth, providing constant feed fertilization, Integrated Pest Management and proper timing of transplanting. 9

Raising Rhododendrons and Azaleas from Seed http://www.tjhsst.edu/~dhyatt/seeds.html Page 1 of 2 1/26/2014 Raising Rhododendrons and Azaleas from Seed by Donald W.

Seedlings started during the winter months can be planted outdoors the following spring, and in a few years they will provide a wealth of landscape material at practically no cost.

Some may be prettier than their parents and others not as good, but the next prize winner could be in your own back yard too. winter homes.

10 Raising Rhododendrons and Azaleas from Seed Page 1 of 2 1/26/2014 Raising Rhododendrons and Azaleas from Seed by Donald W. Hyatt My procedure for raising rhododendrons and azaleas from seed is rather easy. The process requires some simple materials, viable seed, and a bit of patience, but the results are very rewarding. Seedlings started during the winter months can be planted outdoors the following spring, and in a few years they will provide a wealth of landscape material at practically no cost. Rhododendrons can flower in 3 to 4 years from seed, and azaleas even sooner. Those first blooms will be the most exciting part since every plant will be slightly different. Some may be prettier than their parents and others not as good, but the next prize winner could be in your own back yard too. winter homes. For containers, I often recycle plastic gallon jugs used for milk or bottled water. With a pair of scissors, I cut off the top half of a well-washed jug and make a few slits in the bottom for drainage. These jugs make excellent seed starters but almost any container will do. It is important to find a clear plastic bag that will completely enclose the pot to make a miniature greenhouse for germination. That way, tiny seedlings won't require special care in our dry The soil mix I use is my standard potting medium for rhododendrons and azaleas: 1/3 peatmoss, 1/3 perlite, and 1/3 sand. I make certain that the sand is well washed does not contain limestone, since rhododendrons do not like salt or sweet soil. I fill the cutoff plastic jugs about 1/2 full, and moisten the medium well, but make sure it is not too wet or soggy. Excess moisture is a serious problem for seedlings or rooted cuttings since it encourages fungus diseases. I plant the small seeds directly on the surface of the medium, and try to spread them fairly uniformly, not too close together. I often moisten some very dilute fertilizer solution at this stage but nothing else during the next few months. Sometimes I plant the seed more closely at first, and then prick out small seedlings soon after germination, just as they show their first true leaves. I then transplant them to fresh containers, spacing evenly to allow the seedlings more room to grow. I enclose each container inside a clear plastic bag and place these mini-greenhouses under artificial lights, about 12 inches from the top of the container. An inexpensive "shop light" fixture with two fluorescent 40-watt bulbs can provide enough light for 15 or more pots of seedlings. I keep the lights on for 18 to 24 hours per day, since long days encourage vegetative growth. 10

Raising Rhododendrons and Azaleas from Seed http://www.tjhsst.edu/~dhyatt/seeds.

I just watch the leaves expand, imagining what the blooms will look like and wondering where I will put those plants in years to come.

11 Raising Rhododendrons and Azaleas from Seed Page 2 of 2 1/26/2014 Seedlings germinate in a few weeks, and grow slowly at first but since the entire system is enclosed, there is no need to water or fertilize. I just watch the leaves expand, imagining what the blooms will look like and wondering where I will put those plants in years to come. Mature rhododendrons are best spaced 6 to 10 feet apart, so a few pots of seedlings can easily plant an acre of land. In most cases, seedlings grow undisturbed until I am ready to transplant in the spring. Plants will grow more rapidly if given space, dilute fertilizer and fresh air, but when I am short on time, I have often let them stay in sealed containers for a year or more. Rhododendron seedlings can survive much neglect. If seedlings are too close and the medium too wet, a gray mold might appear which can kill them, but some fresh air and repotting helps the condition. When ready to transplant, gradually open the bags to get seedlings used to lower humidity before the move. Once in the garden, allow the seedlings grow on their own without too much fuss or care. Natural selection may kill a few of the weaker plants but the others should adjust to local conditions. In a few years you will have a garden full of beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas that are perfectly adapted to your particular environment. Each spring, you will anxiously await the blossoms of old favorites as well as the first blooms of your new seedlings. It won't be long before you are giving away plants to all your friends because you have run out of room. Copyright Donald W. Hyatt Back to my Garden Web Page Back to my Main Web Page Back to my School Web Page 11

Objective: Tips for raising your own vegetable transplants, choosing varieties, propagation materials needed, seeding methods, fertilization and

Objective: Tips for raising your own vegetable transplants, choosing varieties, propagation materials needed, seeding methods, fertilization and problem solving. With the right supplies you can grow many