

in congenial surroundings. All azaleas must be planted in 
an acid, well-drained soil. Kurume azaleas will not survive 
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 seri- 
ous damage in dry spells. Furthermore, 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, pro- 
vided 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 surface 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 Ku- 
rume 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, without being cultivated. Azaleas may be fertilized 
with commercial fertilizers having an acid reaction, 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, two 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 
remedied. It is of course necessary to apply the spray with 
force, and directly on the part that is affected, which in 
most instances is on the bottom of the leaves and in the 
forks of the twigs.” 
* See our spray schedule on page 30. 
1950-1951 PRICE LIST 3 
