How to Propagate Rhododendrons

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        Rhododendrons may be propagated asexually, to produce new plants of the same genetic composition, or sexually, to produce plants of similar but distinctly different genetic makeup.   Asexual propagation is most commonly accomplished by rooting cuttings, or more recently, if very large numbers of difficult to root plants are needed, by tissue culture.   Rooting of cuttings can be done by the home gardener.   Sexual reproduction by seed is also easy, and is useful for producing plants of wild species, with the expectation of considerable plant variation, or producing the results of hybridization.    An old method of propagation is grafting, formerly commonly used in Britain, and fallen out of favor in America; however, grafting is extensively used in Germany and is seeing a revival here for propagation of difficult to root plants, or in providing vigor to plants which otherwise struggle in our climate.      Karel Bernady,  of the Greater Philadephia Chapter of ARS, has recently had success in the German Schroder method of grafting.
              There are many variations in technique, each of which may be more or less suitable for your own situation. 
              An excellent source of rhododendron seeds, of both species and hybrids, is the AMERICAN RHODODENDRON SOCIETY SEED EXCHANGE.     Species seed is available from the RHODODENDRON SPECIES FOUNDATION. 


For information on varying techniques, click on any of the links below:

General information from the British perspective (Burncoose Nurseries/Caerhays Estate, Cornwall)

CUTTINGS:

Rooting Rhododendron Cuttings, by Don Hyatt.

Jackson's Tips for Propagation from Cuttings (Blue Ridge Review).

Rhododendron Propagation by Cuttings, by Ed Collins (One Hour video)


The Creel Way:  A unique small scale method for propagation of deciduous azaleas and other plants from woody cuttings, using simple materials, outdoors, without need for a greenhouse.    Principles are excellent drainage with adequate moisture, and shade.
Reproduced by permission of Mike Creel, Lexington, SC, member of SE-ARS.









SEED:

How to Grow Rhododendrons from Seed, ARS, Anderson
    
Raising Rhododendrons and Azaleas from Seed, Don Hyatt

Several good short articles on seed from ARS (1985)

Growing Rhodos from Seed, JHMcC

Growing Rhododendrons from Seed, Rhododendron Species Botanic Garden

Collecting Seeds of Shrubs and Trees

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GRAFTING RHODODENDRONS:
Schroder Nursery, Germany

Galibert, France

ARS Website

Bob Bondira: Grafting

AIR-LAYERING DIFFICULT TO ROOT RHODODENDRONS AND AZALEAS:

Excellent articles on air-layering may be found on the websites of the American Camellia Society
and the Azalea Chapter of ARS (Bob Schindler), as well as of the Royal Horticultural Society.

A detailed article by John Hammond from the Scottish Rhododendron Society may be found in their 2020 SRS Yearbook No. 21:

Click on above for article by John Hammond