2 
GERBING’S AZALEA GARDENS 
General Cultural Hints 
Camellias and Azaleas thrive under the same con¬ 
ditions and culture. Keep them uniformly moist 
at all times. Do not drown them nor let them dry 
out completely. Success or failure will depend on 
the soil that you plant them in at time of planting. 
Be liberal with good soil and fertilizer. Keep Scale 
and Red Spider under control at all times. Prune 
to keep the plants shapely. This should be done in 
spring and summer, not later than August 1st. 
They will thrive either in shade or full sim. 
However, those planted in full sun must be kept 
mulched and properly watered. Kurume Azaleas 
will bloom much more profusely in dense shade 
than the Indica Azaleas. Azalea and Camellias 
will bloom more profusely if planted in full sun. 
However, the flowers will fade and will not last as 
long as those planted in partial shade. Then, too, 
those in full sun will sometimes be injured by frost, 
while those in partial shade will have protection 
from the cold. Sometimes Camellias refuse to 
bloom. If you have such a plant, root prune or 
transplant. The shock of either will produce bloom 
the following season. This should be done in March 
or April. 
In conclusion we urge you to plant Camellias and 
Azaleas. They are easy to grow, their profusion 
of bloom in the winter and spring is a constant 
joy to those who have these most popular southern 
shrubs. 
SOME INFORMATION REGARDING THE 
AZALEA FLOWER SPOT. 
This Azalea Flower blight was first noticed in one 
of the south’s famous gardens about 1931 and has 
spread through the south. The federal government 
has had men doing experimental work in the endeav¬ 
or to perfect a cure. As this catalogue goes to press 
we can give you the following information as to con¬ 
trol. Begin dusting your Azaleas just as the buds 
show color with 25 per cent Copper Hydro Dust, this 
is available from the William M. Bird & Co., Inc., 
Charleston, South Carolina. If the buds and flowers 
are kept coated with this dust this flower blight can 
be greatly reduced. After a heavy fog or rain dust 
should be applied as soon as buds and flowers are 
dry. 
Fortunately this blight does not in any way injure 
the plant or foliage, in spite of injury to Azaleas by 
this flower spot they are yet the most colorful of all 
southern shrubs. 
Further information can be obtained from Mr. 
Freeman Weiss, Senior Paithologist, Bureau of Plant 
Industry, Washington, D. C. 
