Camellia Club of Mobile  Newsletter

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Volume V  Issue 1                                                                                                                                                                                                     October 2008

The next meeting will be held on October 12 at the Mobile Botanical Gardens and we have a really great program in store for members.

Jim Smelley will let us in on the secrets of growing superb camellias in a greenhouse, he’ll have lots of excellent tips and advice for those

who want to try this - you don’t need a huge greenhouse to grow protected camellias.  Elaine Smelley will then treat us to a slide show of

old and new varieties of camellias, including some of her and Jim’s latest un-named cultivars.  This slide program has always been one of

the Club’s most popular, and many people were disappointed that it was not included in last season’s programs.  So, folks, we’re back!

Do bring a pen and paper to take notes - don’t rely on remembering your favorites!  I’ve tried that and found that my memory now has a

START OF THE SEASON MEETING VERY WELL ATTENDED

Our September meeting was a great gathering of about 45 members, all happy to see the start of another camellia season.  The atmosphere

was very relaxed and everyone had a nice time, socializing and discussing their summer happenings.  Our new President Jim Dwyer finally

managed to call everyone to the meeting, and after the usual business stuff,  a most interesting program followed on what to do now.  A

panel of experts (or, as they preferred to be called, “experienced growers”) consisting of Barney Barnard,  Walter Creighton, Rick Crow, Jim

Oates and Jim Smelley, took questions from the assembled members on all aspects of camellia care.  After the meeting it was a consensus of

opinion that these guys are  experts, despite their disclaimers!

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In Memoriam

We sadly announce the passing of long-time member Bill Bender who died unexpectedly during the summer.  His cheerful presence will be much missed.

Our sincere sympathy goes out to his wife Belle, who always attended our meetings with Bill.

The camellia world lost a very important member with the recent death of Jean Comber of Pensacola.  Jean was a member of our Club for many years and

faithfully attended all our Shows.  She worked very hard in furthering interest in camellias through the ACS and most of the local clubs in the South.  We

have dedicated our 2009 Camellia Show to the memory of this dear lady.  She cannot be replaced.

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The International Camellia Society has a marvelous new item on their website.  They have added the entire International Camellia Register

to their site which you can reach through a link provided at our Club’s website.  It is really interesting, and it is free and open to all!

Baldwin County members of the Mobile Camellia Club have again been busy on the Camellia Walk they planted in Foley.  All the plants now

have handsome botanical garden quality labels, plus a large plaque detailing the Walk and those who made it possible.  All plants were

given a delicious feed of cotton seed meal and another spraying.  They all seem very happy, the Walk will be formally opened soon.

Rick Crow has a great recipe for special soil in which to plant your new camellias.  Most soil around here is quite lean, so he recommends

the following amended mixture be used:  25% aged pine bark, 25% oak leaf mulch or shredded oak leaves, 25% good quality potting soil

(he uses Metromix 380 which is obtainable from BWI in Semmes) and 25% soil from the hole you’ve just dug.  The hole should be at least

twice the size of the plant’s rootball.  Remember to plant high.  So many people asked about this recipe after September’s meeting that we

thought we’d better print it out for everyone, including those who missed the meeting. Any questions, ask Rick!

Most members know that 2010 will see the 70th anniversary of the founding of our Club.  Vera Curry has made a lap quilt which shows l9

different camellias.  This quilt will be raffled at the January 2009 Camellia Show and all the proceeds will be used for the Camellia Club of

Mobile to celebrate this anniversary.  Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.  They can be purchased at Club Meetings or by contacting

our Treasurer Kay Calloway.  Members who get this Newsletter by regular mail will also get a picture of the quilt, those who get it by E-mail

should go to our website and you will find a photo of the quilt under “Camellia Club Events”.

On a personal note, to all you dear camellia friends who offered transport and support during Bill Curry’s recent serious hospitalization,

thank you for being such lovely, kind, caring people.  You made a very difficult time bearable.  Bill hopes to be at the October meeting.