B4—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 29,1982 Hybridist at Verde Vista (Continued from Page B 2) "I’ve never been satisfied; I've always wanted to make them better,” the hybridizer admits of his intense, never-ending search for improved seedlings Among his goals is the breeding ol a yellow evergreen azalea, and the developing of selected azaleas as houseplants Smith would also like to continue increasing the hues in the color range, and add fragrance to this largely non fragrant species. ••I’ve created some monsters’ already,” he chuckles. “Then I have to go back to a certain point in the crosses and start over.” But you can’t hurry the maturing tune of plants, although one season can be gamed by using the greenhouse. “Time is so precious,” Smith sighs. "And there is still so much to be done.” His years of careful obervation and volumes of written records have led him to develop some theories on genetics. Smith believes that the female parent of hybrid crosses has greater in fluence on the overall plant habit, while the male genetic material lends more to the bloom character Heavy emphasis is placed on winter hardiness. Smith has ob served that his early blooming varieties aren’t disturbed by un seasonably cold weather in early fall, because new growth has had time to mature and harden. But late winter warm spells will break their bud dormancy, and the bud may blast. Later bloomers, on the other hand, aren’t as readily af fected by February warm spells, but are more susceptible to mid fall heavy freezes. Smith’s love tor these plants, each one a “child” of his creation, is the moving force of the widower’s active life. He does some writing and lecturing, and still attends various rhododendron related functions Although a rhododendron breeder for 25 years before he belonged to any organized group, he’s now a member of four Rhododendron Societies, and recently started a chapter in the York area Smith is a fellow in the celebrated Royal Horticultural Society based in England and a member of the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens where his expertise is sometimes sought In all of his years ot growing rhododendrons, Smith says he has never seen a winter as harsh as was this past one One day especially is imprinted in his memory, when the temperature was extremely cold, and the wind chill was a reported minus-SO degrees He shutters when remembering that the snow blew parallel, first from one direction, then tapidly shilling und coming the opposite way. Although Smith’s Eden and Susquehanna Valley hybrids are selected to withstand severe temperatures, he admits that day was a low point of his career. "It was most discouraging. 1 thought I’d lost everything. The leaves were all curled and some looked black,” he says of the near disaster. Many of his specimens are still one-of-a-kind, and almost a half-century of work hung in the balance. spring planting giving organic Although a few plants suffered materials tune to decompose, severe damage, and others had Good drainage is essential, since some leaf burn and blasted buds, the rhododendron species are fair the bulk of the specimens jy shallow-rooted and can drown withstood the Arctic blasts well It with overwatering in heavy, clay was a sort of ultimate test that solls . But several of Smith’s giant Smith philsophically figures oW plants plus m "separated the sheep from the seedling beds, thrive in a several g0 D. ‘. . . . lnch d «iP layer of the soil mix Plants at Verde Vista get no spread over an old clay lennls coddling, and Smith avoids court on the property spraying or feeding Moreim- If gardeners have rhododendron portant, he believes, is to prepare or azalea plants that show signs ot the soil well at the original planting yeJJowll) g f Smlth recommends tune, working in quantities ol peat watering them with a solution ol moss, perhaps some perlite, and weak tea. weak epsom salts water, cottonseed meal tor nitrogen. He or on med cot[ee and lea ’ recommends that beds be grounds to help correct soil prepared in the tall, and left for f TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR GREAT SAVINGS OPTIONS ON NEW SERIES 84 TRACTORS, 27 TO 73 PTO HP. How does a check of up to $1,500 in your pocket sound? 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Ph: 717-285-4538 Mon throThurs 7AM BPM Fn 7A M to 530 P M Sat 7A M to 3P M Walking on the paths through his four shaded garden areas, Smith points out bloom and foliage characteristics of various specimens. Gazing' toward the acres of beautiful blooms and greenery, he quietly wishes that there was someone, some young person, whom he could teach, who would understand the im measurable value of these plants and who would continue this labor of love "Don’t say what I’ve ac complished,” he chides, modestly,, turning away accolades tor the l beauty he's added to earth CHECK FROM IH $ 250.00 750.00 850.00 1,500.00 #