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Re: Vireyas

Doug McClure wrote:
> 
> Is anyone growing Vireyas, a rhododendron related vine or shrub? Do you
> have any growing advice or recommended varieties?
> 
> I understand that they are somewhat drought tolerant, even though they are
> native to New Guinea. So though they don't seem like the typical
> Mediterranean plant, I suppose they will do well for some of our world-wide
> group of gardeners. They seem to be better known in New Zealand than in the
> US.
Doug
I was just doing some housekeeping and found this very old enquiry of
yours. As I cannot recall seeing other answers on the list, I though I
could still be helpful to you.

Vireyas are very popular in Nrw Zealand and several nurseries are
specializing in raising and breeding them. In fact although they do come
almost entirely from the tropics many of them grow only at high
altitudes and so succeed well in a sub-tropical or warm temperate areas
as long as they are frost-free, or winter protection can be assured,
which would apply to much of the warmer part of this country. They have
beautiful flowers and  are I consider well worth growing.

In nature a majority grow as epiphytes and it is said people who grow
orchids well are likely to succeed also with Vireyas. They mostly have
limited  root systems and will only succed where drainage is perfect.
This means they are best grown in pots. To grw them successfully in the
open ground one needs a very porous quick-draining soil and preferably a
raised bed also.

They vary in their sunshine requirements, but most need at least half a
day's sun to flower well, though they do not really like to be very hot.
Small-leaved varieties do best with some shade. Due to their epiphytic
origin Vireyas can take dry conditions quite well, especially when well
established. They like good air circulation, but need protection from
gales and good staking in windy conditions. They tend to flower at
almost any time of year and are not confined like temperate sorts to a
particular season.

Containers for growing Vireyas should not be larger than necessary. It
is a good idea to chose heavy one which cannot easily be blown over or
stand small pots inside larger ones to give stability. Thick pot walls
also help to keep the roots cool. Some varieties have a cascading type
of growth making them very suitable for hanging baskets.

I see a mix used in North America consists of one part perlite and one
part  bark or peat. Apparently shreedded redwood bark has proved  a
successful medium. Some people add a water-retaining polymer as well. I
myself have used a spread which we can get locally made by composting
pine bark with fish wastes. This should mean less feeding is necessary.

For feeding use a liquid fertilizer at quarter to half recommended
strength, once a year only on very young plants, but when a reasonable
root system has developed about four times each year.

For plants growing in the ground many people use a slow-release
fertilizer and others swear by a combination of blood and bone with good
compost. Professionals tend to go in for low-application feeding with
high calcium nitrogen and magnesium, but low potassium and phosphorus.

Although Vireyas usually prefer an acid medium they are not all that
fussy about pH and  do not like the acid plant food often recommended
for temperate rhodos. Their comparatively high calcium requirement may
be met with gypsum (calcium phosphate) which will not affect the pH.

Their requirements are well summed up as dont overfeed, don't overwater
don't overpot.

Some of this information comes from my own experience and a lot more
from an excellent local handbook, which I am sure you would also find
useful. It is copiously illustrated and well calculated to whet one's
appetite.
Vireyas for New Zealand Gardens (J Walker and J Kenyon).1997
ISBN 0 1 86962 005 4
Godwit Publishing Ltd
PO Box 34-683
Birkenhead
Auckland 
New Zealand


Some of this information came from my own experience and a lot 

-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand
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