Habitat and Ecology
​Rhododendron vinicolor is a slender, evergreen epiphytic or lithophytic shrub belonging to the Vireya section of Rhododendron. It is native to Southeast Asia, predominantly found in the mountains of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. It inhabits montane mossy cloud forests at high elevations, often growing attached to trees or rock faces. This species thrives in cool-intermediate, misty conditions and is adapted to absorb constant moisture from the fog, requiring exceptionally free-draining and acidic media.
​Description
​This plant is a small, dense, evergreen shrub with a compact to slightly arching habit. The stems are slender and woody. Its leaves are typically small, elliptical to ovate, and thick-leathery (coriaceous). A defining trait of its subsection (Malayovireya) is the presence of very dense scales (lepidote) on the leaves' undersides, which often completely cover the surface and may give the foliage a muted, distinctive texture. The flowers are borne in terminal clusters (umbels). The corolla is a striking, slender, and elongated tubular-funnel shape. The flowers are famous for their deep, saturated purplish-red or wine-red colour—hence the species name vinicolor (wine-coloured). They bloom sporadically throughout the year, with peaks often occurring in spring and autumn.
​Cultivation
​Rhododendron vinicolor is a cool-intermediate growing epiphyte that must be grown under glass in a cool conservatory or orchid greenhouse in the UK, as it is not frost hardy. It requires bright, filtered light; shield it from direct, scorching midday sun. The growing medium must be acidic (\text{pH 4.5-6.0}) and exceptionally porous; use an ericaceous compost mix heavily amended with orchid bark, perlite, and a small amount of synthetic peat or sphagnum moss. Keep the shallow root system constantly moist but never saturated, and use rainwater or soft water.
​Optimal Daytime Temperature: 18-24 C (64-75 F)
​Optimal Nighttime Temperature: Cool nights are essential for flowering, ideally 10-15 C (50-59 F).
​High humidity (60%+) and good air circulation are vital. Feed monthly during the active growing period with a balanced, dilute ericaceous liquid fertiliser.
​Unique Features
​This rare Vireya Rhododendron is a prize for the collector, distinguished by its intense, deep wine-red blooms (a rich colour rarely found in other Rhododendron groups). Its small, compact habit and the dense, scaled covering on the underside of its leaves make it a visually and texturally unique specimen, perfectly adapted to its high-altitude, misty mountain habitat.
​Specifications
​Plant Size:  small propagations of our stock plant. Plants 15-25 cm tall.
​Plant Family: Ericaceae
​Plant Passport: A Rhododendron vinicolor B 140084 C [user input] D GB