The Rhododendron is a genus characterized by shrubs and small to (rarely) large trees, the smallest species growing to 10-100 cm tall, and the largest, R. giganteum, reported to over 30 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged; leaf size can range from 1-2 cm to over 50 cm, exceptionally 100 cm in R. sinogrande. They may be either evergreen or deciduous. In some species the underside of the leaves is covered with scales (lepidote) or hairs (indumentum). Some of the best known species are noted for their many clusters of large flowers. There are alpine species with small flowers and small leaves, and tropical species such as section Vireya that often grow as epiphytes.
Rhododendrons are typically characteriszed by large showy flowers, in varying colours, and large waxy leaves, bright green to dark green, usually paler underneath.
Rhododendrons require fertile acid soils as a preference, but this new type will allow it to be planted in limey and chalky areas that previously would result in the plant dying fairly rapidly.
INKARHO-Rhododendrons are a breed with special features. In almost 20 years of research and selection from over 1.8 million Rhododendron seedlings, the Federal Centre for Breeding Research on Cultivated Plants in Ahrensburg has developed rootstocks with completely new features. Rhododendrons grafted on these rootstocks are extraordinarily lime-tolerant and develop a particularly robust root system. All reliable and popular Rhododendron sorts are grafted on them. |