dry and excessive wilting results. Besides, 
peat moss when allowed to become ex- 
tremely dry, does not readily absorb mois- 
ture and may require additional light 
waterings to put it in proper condition again. 
Neither will Azaleas stand a continued 
soggy condition, so water sufficiently to 
keep them moist only until the next period 
of watering. 
An occasional heeany watering during 
the summer and especially just ahead of 
fertilizing will help to flush out any exces- 
sive salts that may have accumulated due 
to constant light waterings. 
FERTILIZING: 
Feed Azaleas lightly from the first of 
March to the first of August. 
Cottonseed Meal, Acid Fertilizer or Liquid 
Fertilizer may be used with excellent re- 
sults. Use them lightly as Azaleas are easily 
burned by fertilizer. Be sure the plant is 
wet before any fertilizer is applied and then 
water well after applying. 
In the fall, apply just enough soil sulphur 
around the base of the plant to make the 
peat show yellow. Water in well after apply- 
ing. This acts both as a fungicide and an 
acidifier. 
PESTS: 
Thrip and Red Spider are pests that may 
attack Azaleas. D.D.T. as packaged for 
spraying plants when combined with a light 
oil spray (1%) gives excellent results on 
Thrip. 
Red Spider, during hot dry seasons, do 
some damage. An oil spray (not over 2%) 
helps, as does frequent evening washing 
from the hose. Sulphur is also good for con- 
trol of Red Spider, but must not be used 
with oil or on plants that have been sprayed 
with oil. 
Flower Spot is a fungus that rots the 
flowers or even the buds on the Azalea and 
is controlled by cleanliness. Keep all old or 
damaged flowers gathered up to prevent 
reinfestation. The disease will be carried 
over to the following season if infested flow- 
ers are allowed to remain on the plant or 
fall to the peat or soil around them. Fungus 
diseases are most active during cloudy or 
rainy weather. For this reason the later flow- 
ering varieties are most apt to be affected. 
