AZALEAS 
Azaleas are not difficult to grow, and require 
very little attention, if proper care is taken to 
see that they are planted in congenial surround- 
ings. All azaleas must be planted in an acid, 
well-drained soil. Kurume azaleas will not sur- 
vive water standing on the ground around them. 
Indica azaleas will stand poor drainage better 
than Kurumes, but it is not to their liking. They 
will prosper either in partial shade or in the full 
sun, provided the roots are not allowed to be 
damaged by heat during the hot weather. This 
can be avoided by a mulch of oak leaves or pine 
straw. It is not good for azaleas to bank them 
with leaf mold or to put a high bank of leaves or 
straw around them. If the dirt or mound is 
built up around the plant, the roots grow to the 
surface and become exposed to the sun, which 
causes serious damage in dry spells. Further- 
more, if there is a mound built up around the 
stem of the plant this will cause water to drain 
away from the plant during dry weather, when 
moisture is necessary. All azaleas like plenty 
of water, provided the drainage is good. 
As azalea roots are very fine and require a 
large amount of moisture, the plants do not 
thrive in close proximity to trees that have sur- 
face roots, such as pecan trees, water oaks, and 
hickory trees. However, they will do well near 
such trees if they are constantly watered during 
dry weather. 
The Indica azaleas stand much more heat 
than the Kurume azaleas. They are native to 
the deep South, while the Kurume azaleas do 
much better in colder climates. 
We have found the safest all round fertilizer 
for azaleas to be cotton seed meal. It should 
be scattered on the top of the ground around 
the plant and allowed to wash in the soil, with- 
out being cultivated. Azaleas may be fertilized 
with commercial fertilizers having an acid reac- 
tion, but it is very necessary to use great care, 
because most of the roots are near the surface, 
and are easily burned. 
A spray consisting of one gallon of water, three 
level tablespoons of Volck, or other white oil 
emulsion, three level tablespoons of Derris 
powder, and one teaspoon of Black Leaf 40 
will take care of any of the insects and scales 
that affect azaleas. The spraying should be 
done just after the blooming season in the Spring, 
and repeated at intervals of not less than three 
to four weeks, until the trouble has been reme- 
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