CAMELLIA JAPONICA 
Commonly known as “Japonica” in the South: becoming 
recently a most popular plant not only in the Gulf Coast 
Region alone, but all over the country. Its glossy green 
foliage all the year around together with most attractive 
beautiful flower at winter when no other flowers are found 
in the garden has been increasing the admirers of this 
plant. Millions of them are set out every year in open 
grounds or in conservatories and green house as pot 
plants. It will regain, without any doubt, a popularity 
stronger than it had half a century ago, even as a cut 
flower. 
Brief Cultural Hints 
SOIL PREFERRED —Camellia grows in almost any soil, 
but well drained, good garden soil, a little acid in reac¬ 
tion is more suitable. 
LOCATION DESIRABLE— Half shady location is prefer¬ 
able, especially when the plants are young; free bloom¬ 
ing cannot be expected in a place entirely shady. 
ROOT SYSTEM, TRANSPLANTI NG— Root system of 
the Camellia is rather coarse and not quite so easily 
transplanted as the Azalea. For this reason, we recom¬ 
mend strongly pot planting, as set back would be re¬ 
duced to a. minimum. Moreover, a pot plant can be re¬ 
moved almost any time of year, while the plant from 
open ground has to be moved in winter or some time 
when it is in the dormant stage. 
FERTILIZATION E F F ECTI V E— The Camellia is a gross 
feeder; it responds well to fertilization. At the time of 
planting, if the soil is not fertile enough, use mixture 
of one-half of garden soil, one-fourth of well rotted cow 
manure and one-fourth of peat or leaf mold. Every 
winter or early spring apply well rotted cow manure; 
bone meal or cotton seed meal, or similar commercial 
fertilizer may be added if necessary. Mulching with 
half-rotten leaves or peat is also beneficial. 
* 
PROPER WATERING —The Camellia loves a humid at¬ 
mosphere. Do not neglect the watering. Frequent sy¬ 
ringing on the leaves helps a great deal, especially at 
hot, dry summer months. 
PRUNING RIGHT —Proper pruning is also essential. 
P v une with care such as water shoots, dead or injured 
branches and branches growing too close together. Gen¬ 
eral pruning should be done in the month of February, 
otherwise it may have an effect on the flower buds. 
SPRAYING ADVISABLE —Red spider and various scales 
may attack Camellias. We have been using “Volck, Jr.” 
the ratio of 1 to 40 in the summer and 1 to 25 in win¬ 
ter, mixing one teaspoonful of Black Leaf 40 to every 
gallon of solution. Thorough spraying twice in a year 
controls those pests satisfactorily. The strong sun has 
to be avoided immediately after the spray, as it may 
cause the leaves to burn. 
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