Symposium registration is now open. Cost to attend the entire Symposium weekend\, including all sessions\, spe akers\, classes plus Saturday lunch and Saturday evening banquet will be only $125 if registered before March 10th. Late registration of $14 5 begins March 11th.
\nAll events take place at the Evergreen In n &\; Suites Best Western Plus or at the Rhododendron Species Botan ical Garden. This schedule is subject to change.
\nFrida y\, April 7 – Cascade meeting room
\n\n1:00 – 3:30 pm RSF An nual meeting
\n3:00 – 3:30 pm Break\, Snack &\; Chat
\n3:30 – 4:30 pm “The Rhododendron Gardens of Europe” with Hartwi g Schepker\n
Hartwig will show images and discuss some of the finest gardens in Europe\, specifically those that feature outstanding collections of rhododendrons. He will take u s on a journey through the United Kingdom and into continental Europe including Italy\, Denmark and Germany among others. This will be a lav ishly illustrated and very enjoyable insider’s look at some of the mos t beautiful gardens in the world.
\n4:30 –\; 5:00 pm S
pecies ID Contest and Student Poster Session
\n6:00-8:00 pm
Dinner on your own – local restaurants with staff and speakers.
Optional after dinner Meet &\; Ming le at hotel bar
\nSaturday\, April 8 – Cascade m eeting room
\n\n8:30 – 9:15 am Speaker: Valerie Soza
\n10:30 – 12:00 Species Symposium with moderator\, Chip Mueller
\nCash bar
Sunday\, April 9
\nOptional local a ttractions and garden visits
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Saturday Morning
\n“\;Elucidatin g the tropical diversification of rhododendrons and the genetic basis for changes in floral shape using genomic data”\;
\nVireya rhododendrons are unusual from the majority of temperate rhododendrons for their tropical distribution and wide range of floral morphology. Vireyas are a group of about 320 species that occur primarily in South east Asian islands with diverse floral shapes suitable for birds\, bee s\, butterflies\, and/or moths. Their present-day distribution\, combi ned with sampling throughout their genomes\, has allowed us to infer a ncestral ranges and estimate the direction and timing of dispersal acr oss these islands. In addition\, we observe changes in floral shape an d stamen arrangement in vireyas as they moved east\, which are most li kely due to changes in flower symmetry genes. This has prompted us to examine flower symmetry genes from across rhododendrons to look for ev idence of gene duplication associated with flower symmetry changes.
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< em>Saturday afternoon Field Laboratory Horticulture Classes at the RSB G:
\nFeaturing RSBG Staff< /p>\n
“Big-leaf Rhododendrons” with Steve Hootman\, Executive Director and Curator
\nSteve will lead a tour of the big-leaf collection to examine and compare all of the species in culti vation including several so new that they have yet to be named! He wil l discuss specific identification traits and the best cultivation met hods for each species\; a detailed handout will be provided.
\n< strong>“Secrets of species propagation” with Dennis Bottemill er\, Nursery Manager and Propagator
\nDennis will lead a detaile d discussion with demonstrations of the best and latest techniques in Rhododendron species propagation. A full and in-depth tour of the entire nursery facility is included.
\n“Successful cultivation of rhododendrons – the RSBG way” with Atsuko Gibs on\, Assistant Curator and Ben Meersman\, Gardener
\nJoin RSBG’s expert horticulturists Atsuko and Ben in the garden to learn the best techniques for the successful cultivation of Rhododendron sp ecies as well as Himalayan Blue Poppies and Cardiocrinum (Gia nt Lilies). Watering\, soil prep and pest and disease issues will be h ighlighted.
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\nYou may register online to the right\, or
\nDownload the Species Symposium Registr ation Form and mail to
\nPO Box 3798
\nFederal Way\, WA
98063
International only – please take advantage of th e special registration rate of $110 US due to the exchange rate. Pleas e register by February 10th to take advantage of the early registratio n rate.
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Lodging &\; meetings will be at the BEST WESTERN PLUS Evergreen Inn &\; Suites\, Federa l Way\, features complimentary amenities like free parking\, free Wi-F i\, shuttle service\, and complimentary deluxe hot breakfast.
\nReserve your room now by calling 253-529-4000 and use the code “RSBG” to receive the group rate of just $119 per night for either a King or Queen room. The rate (single or double occupancy) is $119 per night\, when booked by Friday\, March 17th\, 2017. After March 17th\, reservat ion requests after that will be accepted at the hotel’s prevailing rat e\, based on room type and availability.
\nThe Commons Mall is located one block from t he Best Western Plus Evergreen Inn &\; Suites. It has over 100 stor es and a movie theater. There are also many restaurants in this area\n
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Species Symposium registration is now OPEN.
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