Botanical name: Rhododendron sect. Aspect: Dappled shade protected Vireya from hot afternoon sun and strong Common name: Tropical Vireya winds. Some larger varieties require Rhododendron, Malesian shade. Rhododendron Prune: Prune to reduce leggy Family: Ericaceae growth. Cut just above a healthy Genus: Rhododendron whorl of leaves and apply a light Sub-Genus: Vireya dressing of organic ericaceous Origin: S.E Asia to Australia fertiliser and water well. Habit: range from dwarf mats to Propagate: Vireya cuttings root shrubs and trees readily. Semi-hardwood cutting 5 to Size: 4.5 -6m x 4.5-9m 7cm long, dipped in light rooting Flowers: Depending on the species hormone, and stuck in peat/perlite and cultivar the range of colour and will root in three to five weeks. flower size is huge. The flowers are Several cuttings placed in a pot trumpet shaped and appear in large watered in, and enclosed in a plastic clusters. Blooming in from autumn to bag can be rooted in a bright, warm spring. (21°C) window. Fragrant: Some varieties are highly Drought/Frost: Tender fragrant. Pests/Diseases: They generally don’t Leaves: Depending on the species suffer from insect or disease but and cultivar the range of leaf size and watch for aphids on new growth and colour is huge. They range from wax scale (these can be hosed off), lanceolate to elliptical in shape with and lace bug damage. Pale new scales on the underside. The leaves growth could signal an iron or are in whorls. Some can be mistaken magnesium deficiency. for pine needles while others have NOTE: leaf blades a foot long.  The sub-genus contains approx. 310 Climate: Highland sub-tropical and species of Vireya. sub-alpine regions  Vireyas are found growing as epiphytes in the moss-encrusted Soil: very well drained acidic lofts of tree branches, on rocks or (ericaceous) soil pH between 5-6 or growing as terrestrials on the less ground. Care: Good drainage is a must so  Pollinated by bats and birds and to a planting on a mound (30 -45cm high) lesser extent certain moths and is a good idea. Keep well mulched butterflies. with leaf mulch and a good organic  The only native Australian vireya is Rhododendron lochiae. compost. Avoid using lawn clippings or chicken manure or mushroom Source: compost as they are too alkaline. https://www.rhododendron.org/classification.h Vireyas are surfaced rooting plants so tm https://akatsukaorchid.com/content/Vireya.pdf do not plant deeply and care must be www.palmwoodtropicals.com.au taken not to plant anything to close www.vireya.net to vireyas for this reason. http://www.camelliaglen.com.au/vireyas/cultur e-notes/