Name: Rhododendron vireya

Description:
Vireya are temperate region rhododendrons.  Vireya come in a variety of shapes and sizes ranging from dwarf mats at high altitudes to all sizes of shrubs, and even trees.  Some have foliage that could be mistaken for pine needles; some have huge leaf blades a foot long with flowers to match.  Their flowers are often fragrant and are the most colorful of all rhododendrons. Flower shapes vary from small, open cups to spidery clusters of long tubes. Vireyas spot flower throughout the year with a big flower show in spring.

Size:

Around 70 - 100cm tall

Care:

It helps to think of them as orchids, with similar needs such as drainage and good air circulation. Vireya have very fine surface roots, as opposed to a tap root. The most important factor in planting is excellent drainage important.  Vireya do not like soggy feet, as they can develop root rot. Raised beds or mound plantings work the best.  Because vireya roots run close to the surface, they can heat up from the sun.  Covering with several inches of coarse mulch will keep them cool.

When planting in pots use a top quality potting mix mixed 50/50 with orchid  mix to achieve a free-draining mix with good aeration.

Use:

We love growing the tropical rhododendrons under camellias, in a tropical mix of plants such as can begonias, fuchsia, ferns, clivea, Oyster plant, and liriope. They do well in the shade of other plants and flower well under big trees.

Position

Bright light helps to set buds as well as shortening stem internodes.  Though vireya love light, dappled light is recommended especially during our peak summer heat.  Planting vireya under tree ferns, camellias or near other plantings will give some shade.  This will help prevent leaf burn and faded flowers.  Though there are varieties that will take full sun, they do equally well under dappled light.

Pruning

Pinching off new growth promotes more branching as will removing the seedpods, which will put the energy back into new growth and bud development rather than into seed production. Fertilising should be very light.  Lacebug insects can be a problem leaving silver spots covering the leaves (spraying with Conquer or Confidor in Nov-Dec will control this insect).

Propagation

Vireya can be easily rooted from cuttings. Some vireya, depending on the variety, can take as long as a year to root, though the average time is closer to three months. Vireya can also be grown from seed.  A single seed pod can contain as many as several hundred seeds.  But it may take three to eight years, depending on the variety, before flowering begins, whereas from cuttings that time is cut in half.

Where:
They come from mostly mountainous regions of Malaysia in and around the equatorial zone including Indonesia, the Philippines, Borneo and Papua New Guinea.  Of the 850 species that make up the genus Rhododendron, almost 300 are classified as vireya. In their homelands, vireya can be found growing as epiphytes in the moss-encrusted lofts of tree branches, on rocks, or just growing as terrestrials, on the ground.  They grow on the edges of forests and in open grasslands, seeking light.  They are often the first plants to colonise areas where the original vegetation has been destroyed.

Australia has its own native Rhododendron (R. lochiae) which is native to Queensland and features red, bell shaped flowers.

           Pictured: Rhododendron tuba from New Guinea