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nz Friday, October 23, 2009 TARANAKI DAILY NEWS 13

GARDENING www.taranakidailynews.co.nz

Pruning vireya
rhododendrons: a step-by-
step guide with Abbie Jury

1
Because

2
vireya Pinching out
rhododen- single new
drons growths,
come from shown in the
subtropical areas first picture at the
where day and left, encourages the
night length vary plant to put out
little throughout several shoots
the year, they do instead. This is how
not have set you get a bushy
flowering and plant from the start
growing seasons. and is done by
In warm, sheltered commercial growers.
conditions, they The second picture
will grow all year, shows the new
which means growth resulting
timing pruning is after pinching out.
not critical.
However,
springtime is the
best time because
they will be in
maximum growth
mode. Vireyas can

4 5
get very leggy You can go This plant
because they will one step has had its
often just put on further and top largely
one new growth take all the broken off
after another so existing leaves off, and has responded
they get thin and forcing dormant by forcing out the
stretched. buds from the dormant leaf buds in
branches and stem its trunk. From here,
to push out fresh it is safe to remove
leaves. This is kill or the broken top and
cure. After pruning, the plant should
feed the plant with a survive.
general fertiliser and

3
If you have give it a little extra
an existing TLC through its
leggy convalescence over
plant, you the coming months.
can prune it hard. This type of drastic
If you are pruning is best done
nervous, take in early spring when
back all the the plant is in
growths to the maximum growth.
first set of leaves.
You won’t get
flowers for a
couple of years,
but you will get a
bushier plant in
the meantime.

Photos:
ROBERT CHARLES

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