Rhododendron Fragrantissimum

This plant, so straggly for most of the year, comes into its own at this time of the year with a fragrance that fills the whole house.

It is one I would like to propagate --- has anyone experience of this and the best method and time to do it?

The bush




The flower

 

SORRY, CAN'T HELP WITH THE PROPOGATION BUT IF YOU FIND OUT HOW TO I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW AS I HAVE A PLANT TOO AND AS YOU SAY IT HAS A HEAVENLY SCENT. AS FAR AS RHODODENRON ARE CONCERNED I DON'T THINK THEY ARE EASY EXCEPT FOR PONTICUM. YELLOW

 

Layering might be the easiest way.

This is the Lazyman's(ââ??¢) guide to layering :D

Once it's finished flowering strip all the leaves except the growing tip off a low branch then thread the branch through the bottom of a 6" plastic pot (you may have to enlarge the hole). Cover the bottom of the pot with gravel or broken crock, scr-ape off some of the bark on one side of the branch within the pot line (this will encourage rooting) then top the pot up with ercacious compost. Support the pot at a reasonable height so you don't strain the branch and also place it on a pot saucer filled with gravel. Keep the compost moist but not soaked and leave undisturbed for at least a year if possible. Once you are sure it's rooted you can sever the branch from the main part of the bush and you should have a nice new independant ready potted plant.

Providing the compost is kept moist this method, though slow, is virtually foolproof. Just be carefull when threading up through the pot or bending the branch as rhodes are fairly brittle. If it's difficult to bend a branch up through the bottom you can always make an extra hole in the side of the pot and bring it up at an angle.

Edit - Stupid word censor :eek:

 

You can propagate rhododendrons by layering if its got any low down shoots, also from cuttings, after flowering.

 

2 minds with but a single thought.... :rolleyes: :D