There’s a myth afloat that says rhododendrons are difficult to propagate.
The truth is that while some species are finicky, others generally will propagate well, and be fruitful and multiply—providing you know how to do it. The next speaker at the November North Island Rhododendron Society (NIRS) meeting Tuesday, Nov. 8 plans to do just that in his talk entitled “Success with Rhododendron Cuttings.”
Dennis Bottemiller brings 20 years of experience as the propagator and nursery manager for the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way, Washington.
This well-known garden contains the largest collection of species rhodos in North America taken from a diverse range of climates, soils and altitudes, and provides Bottemiller with an incomparable laboratory from which to take cuttings and seeds.
NIRS meetings are held at the Comox United Church, 250 Beach St. on the second Tuesday of the month. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the meeting starting at 7:30 p.m.
Anyone interested in membership is welcome to attend.