x - Hawaii Chapter, American Rhododendron Society

Aloha Everyone!
The Hawaii Chapter of ARS July meeting was held on July 15th at the Kea'au, HI Community Center. Following
the potluck our President Sherla Bertlemann brought the meeting to order around 1:00 pm.. Our speaker was Dr.
Steven Hess who spoke about his efforts and findings on Hawaiian endemic native Nene goose conservation. He
was an excellent speaker and very informative. The vireya auction was ably led by Dick Kruppa. Thanks to
everyone who stayed over for the clean up.
Zoo News: Our July Zoo work party meet on July 22nd at 10 AM. We had a sunny day and a larger than usual
group of volunteers. In addition to enlarging the species bed, Jane and Peter Adams re-planted R.orbiculatum,
along with some interesting open-pollinated seedlings of Aleksandr. With so many members working together the
work was completed way ahead of schedule and our lunch plans were postponed until next month. Come join us
for work and fellowship!
Mahalo nui loa, Richard
As of July 29, 2012 the club accounts are:
Secretary’s Report
by Richard Rhodes
Treasurer’s Report
by Richard Miller
Club = $4729.89 Zoo = $3680.83 Kimalia = $1382.18
What’s in bloom!
by Jane Adams
When in the course of a grower’s life, something
new blooms, we get a little crazy. In our case, if I
spot something blooming that we are excited to
see, we station it right at the front of the
greenhouse so that we can watch it like a hawk.
That tactic worked with the species R. wentianum.
It erupted with several trusses all at once. The
flowers glowed with a soft, deep orange, with a
bright yellow throat. Related to R. christi, the
leaves are slightly twisted at the end, and deep
glossy green. This is definitely one species that
should be considered for every garden.
Mahalo to Mitch Mitchell for providing the
original cutting.
Help!
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I live in Kailua-Kona, HI on 1 acre of fruit trees and tropical flowers, including 150 Vireyas. I have 3 vacation
rentals on the property that rent from $1200 to $2000 a month. I am looking for gardener type people who would
be interested in renting a unit for $600, $350 for 2 weeks or $250 a week in exchange for an hour or two daily
weed pulling or doing general yard work. The acre has grown larger as I have grown older, and I could use some
help. The unit is 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom with full kitchen, and completely furnished as a vacation rental. All you
need to bring is a bathing suit, toiletries, and good sturdy work clothes and shoes. Contact me if you might be
interested and I can email you some photos.
Contact info: Dennis Rees, PO Box 4177, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745, 808-325-0443, drees@hawaii.rr.com
(Dennis is a long time Chapter member and former newsletter editor)
Viva Vireya Page 2 August 2012