Asian Tulips | Beautiful Flower For Your Life !

Almost unfortunately, I can’t stop humming the theme from Bob Hope and Bing Crosby’s “The Road To Morocco” now that I found out that the rhododendron is the official state flower of West Virginia. I know that seems a bit sequitur but I never claimed that my thoughts bounced around my brain in normal fashion.
Photo courtesy of 50states.com

Photo courtesy of 50states.com

Musical classics aside, the rhododendron is a cool choice for West Virginians. It’s a very woody flowering plant which means that florists cannot use it in their cut arrangements. However, it’s very close to the azalea (a rhododendron hybrid) which is another flowering plant that IS sold in West Virginia flower shops.

I have to say “kudos” to West Virginia legislators for choosing a flower that is beautiful, classic, and offbeat (not unlke myself). I say “offbeat” because rhododendron isn’t what we would expect to see in arrangements coming out of a flower shop. You’re much more likely to see them as blooming plants though they are not forced (not caused to bloom) like azaleas which are rhododendron hybrids. Since it’s a little different and somewhat unique, I give two thumbs up to West Virginians for that choice.

It must just be the mood of the day because I’m also thinking of unique and somewhat cheesy card messages that could be used on an enclosure card if you send a blooming azalea plant to someone. They may not have a clue that azaleas are rhododendron hybrids or what the West Virginia state flower is. They will after reading the card! I mean, come on. You’d smile if you got a card that said “You’re on the rhod-odendron to success”. You may groan or sigh as well but it’s the thought that counts. By the by, I have a brother that would laugh for an hour over something that inane. To each their own.

If you’re thinking about sending flowers and want something really cool, consider asking your local florist about a rhododendron inspired arrangement. The flowers are beautiful and colorful. The plant is sturdy and woody which means it’s able to withstand a lot of resistance. Know a person like that? Plus, sending a blooming plant is a little off the norm so someone with a sideways sense of humor (like me) would love it. Take a peek at the rhododendron and talk with your florist about the great gift ideas that follow.

The rhododendron species belong to the Ericaceae plant family; rhododendrons are botanically related to azaleas, blueberries, heathers and mountain laurels. The name rhododendron is derived from the Greek word rhodos (meaning rose) and dendron (meaning tree). There are over 1000,natural species of rhododendron; however, many rhododendron species found growing in North America and Europe today are hybrids.

Botanical Description of the Rhododendron Species

The Rhododendron Species is a diverse plant; rhododendrons grow as trees (some over 100 feet high), as bushes and as low ground cover. The leaf of a rhododendron is just as diverse as the plant itself; rhododendron leaves can grow over three feet long or be less than a quarter of an inch. Rhododendron leaves grow in a variety of shapes too.

The color of the rhododendron flower is available in nearly every color of the rainbow including various shades of blue, yellow, pink white, red, orange and purple. Rhododendrons flower from January through August, depending on the location and the climate.

Having the Dunedin Rhododendron Festival run over Labour Weekend – a first in its 26-year history – has been a success, organisers say.

The Dunedin Rhododendron Festival ended yesterday, with over 50 events having taken place during the past nine days.

Festival co-ordinator Victoria Bunton said organisers were pleased with the extended version of the event.

“It has been exciting to see so many people involved with the festival this year.

“The weather has not been particularly kind over the last nine days, but it didn’t dampen the spirits as people celebrated the city’s rhododendrons.”

During the next few weeks, the festival would be evaluated and the number of those who attended determined, she said.

An Air New Zealand Festival grabaseat promotion from Auckland and Christchurch would have helped lift those numbers.

“A number of people took up this opportunity and came to Dunedin over Labour Weekend.”

The winner of the photographic competition, judged by festival guest Dennis Greville, was Jen van Waard.

The open section was won by Roger Clement, the secondary section by Scott Marshall and the primary section by Mitchell Bruce.

Rhododendron is one of the representatives of plants Hi acidic, pH values from 5.5 to 6.5 as the best, I am pleased to climate cool, moist, well-ventilated environment, suitable for the growth temperature of 13 ℃ to 25 ℃, growing season to maintain the 60-70% The air relative humidity, relative humidity, when the Provisional flowering up to 80% or so. Rhododendron Yoshimitsu, but the bogey direct light, spring and autumn due to increase shade in the summer season to reach about 70% shading, and often to the leaf surface with water spray humidification, cooling, summer azaleas should be placed outside the conservation, to facilitate the ventilation. Hi Dan Rhododendron fertilizer, but the bogey concentrated fertilizer, manure handling facilities growing season to be thin, it is better manure, such as the bean water, horseshoe charge of water and all kinds of vegetables, chicken feathers, fish offal and other debris soaked in fermented liquid fertilizer are may be applying. Rhododendron fibrous roots, slender again weak, it can not stick heavy soil, hi loose, permeable, breathable and good acidic soil, the soil can be used in northern mountains, larch leaves earth, or artificial cultivation of soil preparation and other Fu Yetu . Flower behind to pruning, intended to make it even more beautiful pattern and control of flowering, cut one-year old branches can also be cutting propagation.

Rhododendron leaves positive if yellow, red bug spots on the back, for the red spider harm will be seriously fallen leaves, 40% of the triclosan can be used 1000 times mites alcohol spray, seven days time, except for three-consecutive The. If leaves yellow while veins remain green, and for iron-deficiency symptoms, can be sprayed once in about ten days of ferrous sulfate solution, the concentration of not more than 5 ‰, with a good vinegar and fermentation Taomi Shui there is a certain effect. There are other symptoms such as: leaves dull, reddish brown stem tip and gradually expanded, in order to direct light and poor ventilation, the temperature being too high, can improve the environment for prevention and treatment. If it got brown spot, available chlorothalonil, carbendazim, Kocide, thiophanate-methyl and other prevention and treatment. There are still leaves yellow or green, but gently touched the branches and leaves while they splashed down, and soon off the light, this is light, too dark, keep our noses to the; light is too weak, the air is too dry, air pollution, etc. look at the situation can be caused by the prevention and treatment. Rhododendron water are wilting and the falls, the new leaves whitening yellow root for the long-term water due to large bubbles, if the leaves wilt, it is still green and not easy to drop, but also promising major result of the water. Unequal in size or the leaf into a piece of dark spots, mostly black spot disease, caused by bacteria, multiple large due to the water, ventilation is poor, the light is too weak a combination of factors caused by bacteria infection, can change the environment and drug prevention, drug can refer to the brown spot conquer.