Our Method for Growing Native Azaleas from Seed
by J. Jackson

Introduction

My wife Lindy and I operate a small container nursery in the “Blue Ridge” of East Tennessee.  In the beginning everything was grown in the ground.  The pressure from deer browsing caused us to change to container production.

We specialize in growing “Native” and hybrid forms of deciduous azaleas.  For several years we purchased micro propagated (tissue culture) liners and grew them on in 3 gal. Squat pots.  Over the last few years we have made a deliberate move to growing deciduous and evergreen forms of the Rhododendron species from seed.

This change was motivated by several reasons.  Preservation is the predominate reason. Many of our favorite R. species have become “endangered” from the practice of collecting “wild” plants.  Lindy and I started seeking out specimens in the wild (and in collections) that have “superior” characteristics of growth, foliage and bloom. We propagate open pollinated seeds from those plants.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this process is the exploring for and finding beautiful specimens “in bloom” or “in seed” that are in the “wild”.  We use a digital camera to document the bloom and growth habit of those plants.  By using a hand help GPS to map their location we are able to relocate the plants in the fall when the seed is ripe without having to mark or tag the specimen in any way. 

We have also grown seedlings from plants collected/selected by other “plant collectors” that are found in arboretums and private collections. 

There is genetic variation in seedling grown plants, but in our view the diversity is valuable to the overall plant population. We have had success in growing out high quality seedling populations from those specimens.  Even in the earliest seedling stage, plants with special characteristics will “shine” in a block of plants. Those plants are separated out in the first growing season.  The selected seedlings are grown on to flowering.  The most vigorous and beautiful forms/specimens are planted on the farm as “stock” plants.  This practice has led to a nice collection of plants that reward us with blooms and seed.

Next