As far as too much fertilizer, or salt build up for that matter, I like to put my seedlings outside on a rainy night (with no tray beneath them); by morning they have been cleansed. I try to avoid tap water because of it can cause salt build up. I am lucky enough to have a stream on my land, but before moving here, I used rain water. If you cannot put your babies out for the night, elevate them so the bottom of the pots are above the tray and drench them with rainwater and toss the runoff; this will flush excess salt or fertilizer.
As far as seedling exchanges, I like to give my excess away at the Founder's Day Brunch. In fact I plant a extra tray or two for that purpose; this year I hope to offer bureavii, wiltonii, and two of my, admittedly no-so-exciting, crosses (janet blair x helmseyanum and scintillation x sinogrande). I start them in my basement about now and leave them out all summer; by November they are ready for the Brunch.
I wonder if we should informally designate the Brunch as an event to distribute excess seedlings?
Note on the ARS seed exchange; I have gotten some very interesting plants from Alan Clark's Arunachal Pradesh expedition. Some of that see is still around.
Another point on the ARS seed exchange; who has a cheque book for Pounds Sterling?
There is sufficient interest in holding Wednesdays meeting to go forward. CJ Patterson will be leading the discussions. Below is an "agenda" with ideas for this meeting. Please bring a copy to the meeting.One thing CJ will be covering is rooting hard to root plant types (such as Yak) - this is the time of year when they appear to root the easiest.Note that the RHS seed exchange is due to open to the public within a few days. They have a nice selection of WILD COLLECTED seed - the best source I know of for this.Location & time are same as prior two meetings.Please RSVP CJ Phyllodoce@aol.com so she can plan accordingly (don't send to me - I won't be there)Have fun!JoeDate/Time: Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 7:30 PM.
Location: Putnam Building, Elm Bank, Wellesley, MA.
Directions are on the MHS website: www.masshort.org
Agenda
1) Discussions
a) Seed Propagation
i) Problems discussion – obvervation of members' results, and advice on ways to improve results (not enough light, too much fertilizer, etc.)
ii) Next Steps:
(1) Taking cuttings of seedlings – Mike Creel method.
(2) Transplanting ("potting up")
b) Seed Sources
i) ARS Seed Exchange
(1) 2008 list at: www.rhododendron.dk/ARS_seed. - Click on [SEED LIST 2008]
(2) http://www.rhododendron.org/seedexchange.htm - Directions for ordering. Orders can be placed by ARS members starting Feb 26, 2008.
ii) Royal Horticultural Society, Rhodo Magnolia & Camellia Group – Much wild collected seed. Members get first crack, but it opens to non-members after a certain date.
(1) http://www.rhodogroup-rhs.org/ - AVAILABLE IN A FEW DAYS
iii) Rhododendron Species Foundation
(1) http://www.rhodygarden.org/page/page/1083572.htm - 2008 list not yet posted.
c) Open Discussion
2) Sticking Cuttings – hard to root species like Yak, Fortunei (Feb or March, weather dependent). BRING IN CUTTINGS OF THESE TO TRY.
3) Seedling Exchange – Bring your extras to exchange (I'll have some of mine available)
4) Demos
a) Thinning/Transplanting – BRING SEEDLINGS READY TO TRANSPLANT.
i) Pots, soil, etc. will be provided to practice with.
b) Seed Sowing, thinning – reprise of last month's for those who wish it.
5) Future Meetings:
a) 2/6/08
b) 3/5/08
c) 4/2/08
d) 5/4/08 – Sunday, 1:00 PM – hybridizing demo in Display Garden prior to Chap Garden Party (2:00 PM)
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