Some frequently asked questions about vireya rhododendrons:
  Click links below to show/hide F.A.Q. answers.

• How are vireyas different from other rhododendrons?
  
  

  Vireyas differ from other rhododendrons in their distribution, taxonomy and cultural requirements.

  In the wild, vireyas are found growing in southeast Asia - including the Malay Archipelago, Indonesia, New Guinea, Borneo and the Philippines - a region where few other types of rhododendron are located.

  Vireyas are distinguished from other rhododendrons in their taxonomy.  The botanical characteristics used to separate the vireya group include the distinctive scales on their leaves; the presence of large idioblast cells within their leaves; distinct ovary, ovule and mega-gametophyte characters and their long tailed seeds. Also, it should be noted that vireya flowers contain no blue pigment and are never spotted.

  Plants in genus Rhododendron have varying degrees of resistance to cold.  Typical range for cold hardiness temperature is 0°F to -20°F.  Vireyas grow in more temperate climate areas.  They must not be exposed to freezing temperatures.  They prefer to be kept above 45°F.

  Vireyas require a more free-draining soil media than would be used for the majority of rhododendrons - bear in mind that many vireyas grow naturally as epiphytes. See the Cultivation page for more cultural information.

• What are the basic cultural requirements for growing vireyas?
  
  

  Vireyas need to be grown in a frost-free environment - either outdoors in beds in warmer climates, or in pots that can be moved into a conservatory or greenhouse for the winter.

  The potting soil used needs to be very free-draining - ideally a mix of peat, bark and pumice (or similar ingredients) in equal proportions.

  Plants should be watered thoroughly and then the soil allowed to become just moist to the touch before watering again. Do not stand pots in water or allow to become water-logged.

  Vireyas need good light to enable them to produce flower buds and to make compact bushes. Try to site plants where they will receive sunshine in the morning and dappled light in the afternoon.

  See our Cultivation page for more detailed information.

• Do I need to prune my vireyas?
  
  

  Pruning vireyas is not essential and in most cases will not be necessary. When a plant is young, it is good practice to pinch out the new growing tip as it emerges at the end of each branch. This encourages the plant to put out usually two or more new growths from each point, thereby making the plant more compact and bushy. Feeding the plant before pinching out the shoots helps in the formation of the new shoots. Plants treated in this way rarely need pruning later in life.

  If a plant does get too "leggy" with a lot of bare lower branches, often the result of being grown in too much shade, it is worthwhile moving the plant to a sunnier site as this usually stimulates new growth from the dormant buds on these stems.

  Should a large plant need reducing in size as it has outgrown its space, this should generally be carried out over a period of time. Cut one third of the branches back to the desired height, making the cuts just above a set of leaves (and leaving at least a few leaves on each stem). Once new growth has emerged and hardened, repeat the procedure. As before, applying fertilizer prior to pruning will generally help to promote new growth.

• Should I feed my vireyas?
  
  

  Generally speaking, regular light feeding of vireyas is recommended when the plant is in active growth but is not necessary over the winter months when growth slows or stops.

  One of the best methods of applying fertilizer is through foliar feeding - spray the leaves of the plant with a half-strength liquid feed every two weeks. Alternatively apply the fertilizer around the base of the plant with a watering can as a drench.

  Do not overfeed as this can scorch the roots, leading to unsightly leaf-tip burn - slow release pellets are not recommended for this reason as there is a risk of too much fertilizer being released in warm weather.

  Proprietary acid plant foods should be avoided - ideally use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, calcium and magnesium but with low potash, potassium and phosphorus levels.

• Do vireyas make good potted plants?
  
  

  Yes! Many vireya species grow as epiphytes in their natural environment, high in the trees of the cloud forest, and so have adapted to surviving with only a small covering of moss or humus over their roots, which makes them ideal subjects for pot culture.

  The smaller vireyas will grow happily in a pot for many years and even larger plants have only relatively modest root systems - vireyas do not have tap roots, instead forming a mat of fine roots near the surface, and so can be easily re-potted as they outgrow their containers.

  Growing vireyas in pots also has the advantage of being able to move them under shelter during cold spells and to even bring them into the house to enjoy when in bloom.

  As an alternative to pots, hanging baskets are also very effective, especially when naturally pendant varieties are grown - a basket of Rhododendron jasminiflorum with clusters of white, jasmine-scented, trumpet-shaped flowers in full bloom is a sight to behold!

• Where can I purchase vireya plants?
  
  

  A list of specialist vireya nurseries supplying plants can be found on our
  Where to Buy Vireyas web page.

• Where can I learn more about vireyas?
  
  

  If our Information pages have left you wanting to know more about vireyas, have a look at our Archive - a collection of over 50 selected articles dealing with all aspects of vireya culture. If you need more, the Bibliography contains a list of recommended reading.

• Where does the name "vireya" come from?
  
  

  The name "vireya" was first used by Carl Blume, director of what is now the Bogor Botanic Garden, Indonesia, in 1826.

  Blume was describing five new species of rhododendron (only two other species were known from the region at that time) and he proposed a new genus Vireya to accommodate them - this to honour his friend Julian Joseph Virey, a French pharmacist and natural historian.

  While the rank of genus was rejected by Blume's peers, the name Vireya continued to be used for that Section (now Subgenus) of the genus Rhododendron.