To conclude, the results presented in this paper confirm that
seeds from species of the genus Rhododendron, tend to be
relatively short-lived. It is therefore important that optimal
conditions are maintained during storage and at the time of
distribution, and it is recommended that collections are re-tested
more regularly than seeds fromother families (e.g. every 5 rather
than every 10 years). This short-lived response is most likely a
trait of the genus rather than inappropriate timing of seed
collection and the consequence of subsequent drying treatments.
However this makes the timing and post-harvest treatment of
collections more important; if seeds cannot be collected at the
point of incipient dispersal, intact capsules should be given a
post-harvest ripening treatment to allowmaturation events which
result in increases in seed longevity to continue.