CULTURAL HINTS 
EXPOSURES 
Contrary to a general concep- 
tion, Camellias do not thrive 
best in full shade. In such a 
location you get a lovely green 
foliage, but very few flowers. 
Nearly everywhere, they will 
stand morning sun, and in many localities afternoon sun. 
Some varieties will tolerate more sunshine than others. The 
safe rule to follow is to give them as much sun as they can 
stand without burning the foliage. Sunshine produces more 
flowers. 

SOIL Since the feeder roots of Ca- 
mellias are very fine and hair- 
like the soil should be loose 
and friable to give the roots 
an opportunity to forage. A 
mixture of % loam, % leaf 
mold, and % peat moss gives 
just about the right tilth to 
the soil as well as an acid 
reaction. Good drainage is 
absolutely necessary. If your soil is heavy and water reten- 
tive, place some gravel in the bottom of the hole to drain 
away the excess water quickly. 
DLANTI NG Dig a hole at least 1 foot larger 
in diameter than the root ball 
of the Camellia. Fill this hole 
with the soil mixture men- 
= tioned above. Firm the soil in 
the bottom of the hole so that 
it will not settle after the 
Bes 3 Camellia has been planted. 
OID Place the Camellias so that the 
peices top of the root ball is even 
with the surrounding soil; fill 
around the sides with soil, leaving a basin around the plant 
for water. Never plant a Camellia deeper than it was grow- 
ing at the nursery. 
WATERI NG Water Camellias immediately 
after planting, giving them a 
good soaking. Thereafter, keep 
the soil uniformly damp—not 
soggy. Never permit the soil 
to dry out and cake. The 
feeder roots are in the top few 
inches of soil and they cannot 
take up nourishment out of 
dry soil. All plant nourish- 
ment is absorbed in liquid 
form. Water the plants overhead, as they never mildew and 
washing the foliage is very beneficial. 



