Culture and Care of Camellias 

Camellias can be grown in almost any soil but they do best in a good, well 
drained soil that has a slight acid reaction. They can be planted in full sun 
or partial shade. Complete shade is not desirable. whe planting out in the 
open ground,dig a hole about twice as large and leep as the ball of dirt around 
the plant, Do not plant too deep.A mixture of sne-half garden soil; one-half 
peat moss and about one-fourth sand makes a good mixture to place in bottom of 
hole and around the sides tamp well and water. Do not plant in location where 
water stands after a heavy rain. They like water but at the same time must 
have good drainage. Place the plant, after tamping the bottom of the hole so 
that it will be about two inches above the ground. This should allow for set- 
tling. Mulching with oak leaves or with pine neeiles is recommended. The 
mulch should be about two inches thick. Syringing the leaves during the hot 
summer months is beneficial. Plants received B&B = Plant as received. Do not 
remove burlap. 
Watering: Camellias should be watered thoroughly about once a week during 
the hot dry summer months and before a heavy fre2ze, if rain does not proceed 
Samee 
Spraying: Camellia foliage is sometimes attached by several forms of scales. 
A spray with water, oil emulsion and Black Leaf 40 will control most scale 
and insect pests. Fifty parts water to one part emulsion makes a yood for- 
mula. Spray should be :pplied in the spring before the sun is too hot and 
after danger of frost is over. In this latitude we spray in fall during the 
latter part of September. If you have only a few pants, wiping the leaves 
off with a soapy solution will do just about as well as spraying. 
Fertilizing: any balanced fertilizer that has an <eid reaction is satisfact— 
ory, For yourlocality it would be best to consult your county agent as to 
how much and when to fertilize your plants. For camellias in the open at this 
latitude we use our own liquid acid fertilizer ziving the plant a light appli- 
cation in February and again just before the spring flush of growth. This 
fertilizer must be used at the rate of one tablespoonful to one gallon of water. 
We have it in a stock solution and it is very coricentrated, 
Camellias in Containers 
Watering: Wait until the top of the soil appears dry then water thoroughly, 
Repeat this watering only as this condition occurs. 
Fertilizing: Fertilizing camellias in containers will vary according to the 
location and experience of the grower. We give ours a light feeding in Dece- 
mber, a more liberal application in February and again in april or when the 
first spring flush has been completed. We do not fertilize after that, Liquid 
fertilizers are excellcnt for these plants in containers, Never fertilize a 
dry or sickly plant and it is better to feed too little than too much. Fer 
chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves) it is better to acidfy the soil with Iron 
Sulphate (copperas), Use in liquid form one ounce to two gallons water. 
Thoroughly soak the soil with this solution once every two months, or until 
normal leaf color returns, Allow interval of one week between use of this 
solution and application of fertilizer, 
