Here in the North Carolina piedmont, Rhododendrons die from Phytophthora root rot. Many live up to 8 years with some disfiguration, but in a recent study, ARS reports that R. x 'Caroline' Gable is totally immune to the disease. They think this is because it has a very different root structure than other Rhododendrons. Has anyone experimented with grafting other varieties onto 'Caroline' rootstocks? Perhaps this would provide plants that are immune but offer a wide variety of flowers and habits. Breeding with 'Caroline' is another approach, but I won't live that long. If I could find a source for 'Caroline' rooted cuttings that didn't require that I buy hubdreds, I'd like to try grafting to see if it solves the problem. Unless of course. somepne has already done it. All help will be greatly appreciated. Ray Stilwell
