CIRCULAR No. 107 OCTOBER 1951 COLD DAMAGE to CAMELLIAS Winter of 1950-51 4. oDACEETY E f CIN ef ' FOR THE o/h E. V. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION INSTITUTE POLYTECHNIC ALABAMA Smith, Director Auburn, Alabama CONTENTS INTRODUCTION -- - - - - - -- - - - - - -- - - - - - -- - - STUDY OF COLD DAMAGE TO CAMELLIAS-4 RESULTS OF FIRST PHASE OF SURVEY---------------------5 RESULTS OF SECOND PHASE OF SURVEY--------------------8 GENERAL DISCUSSION-----------------------------------17 - 3 E ffect Effect of Sh ade -- - --- -- - --- --- --- --- -- - -- - -- ------ -17 of D ormancy--------------------------------17 ACKNOW LEDGM ENTS------------------------------------19 FIRST PRINTING 5M, OCTOBER 1951 COLD DAMAGE to CAMELLIAS Winter of950-51 1M\. J. FUNCHESS, Dean Emeritus INTRODUCTION MANY YEARS .. FOR F ~. . camellias have been grown to a limited extent ., i ,, along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of this country. Even a casual reading of publications concerning this shrub reveals that from time to time during the past 100 or more years plantings have been made from Texas to points in New York and some New England.States.. In more recent years, camellia production has been extensive along the Pacific Coast also. Because of climatic limitations, plantings have been most extensive in a belt that extends some 100 or 150 miles inland. Fear of cold damage to plants has been the chief factor restricting extensive development farther from the coastlines. However, a great upsurge of interest in camellias in recent years stimulated efforts to grow the plant much farther from the coastal areas. As a result, numerous plantings of varying sizes may be found now outside the areas that were once thought to be safe. Greatly increased interest of collectors is responsible for very rapid. expansion of commercialnurseries, and millions of camellia plants are being produced annually to satisfy demands of the ultimate consumer. With this expansion of consumer interest, there has come a multiplicity of varieties having a multiplicity of characteristics and susceptibilities. The camellia grower has many problems with which to deal, including fertilizer and watering schedules, protection of plants against attacks of insects and diseases, selection of varieties best suited to his environment, and management of his collection in such a way as to avoid as far as possible damage to his- plants from weather, mechanical causes, and the like. Chief among these problems is damage to both blooms and plants caused by occasional severe cold weather. This report deals primarily with the latter problem. STUDY of COLD DAMAGE to CAMELLIAS On the morning of November 25, 1950, the United States Weather Bureau recorded the coldest weather ever experienced in some of the Gulf and South Atlantic Coast States for that time of year. As a matter of fact, temperatures recorded in a number of places in the central parts of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina were among the record lows during the past 50 years. On that date (morning of November 25, 1950), the United States Weather Bureau recorded temperatures of 10 degrees at Tuscaloosa, 5 degrees at Birmingham, 9 degrees at Auburn, 13 degrees at Montgomery, 17 degrees at Dothan, 19 degrees at Bay Minette, and 22 degrees at Mobile. As a result of these record low temperatures, there was very severe injury to blooms and bloom buds of many varieties of camellias in the Gulf Coast and South Atlantic Coast areas, as well as some injury to wood of a few varieties. The injury was very severe to both wood and blooms of many varieties in the general latitude of Birmingham, Alabama, and Columbus and Macon, Georgia. The circumstances afforded a good opportunity to study the relative effects of low temperatures on blooms and wood of many camellia varieties in the area. Officials of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station decided to take advantage of this opportunity, and assigned to the writer the responsibility of conducting a survey to determine the relative amount of injury sustained by camellia varieties during the unprecedented cold weather that prevailed during the last week of November, 1950. Results of the survey are divided into two phases. The first phase deals with cold injury to blooms and bloom buds only. Conditions favorable for a study of this phase were found in the general latitude of Mobile and Dothan, Alabama, where the cold was sufficiently severe to injure blooms and bloom buds of many, but not all, varieties. The second phase of the survey is concerned with cold injury to wood of camellia plants. In the general latitude of Birmingham, Alabama, and Columbus and Macon, Georgia, practically all blooms and bloom buds were killed outright on November 25, 1950, and there was very serious injury to wood of many varieties. Therefore, the second phase of the survey was conducted at nurseries and collections located in this area where lower temperatures prevailed than those recorded in the Mobile and Dothan areas. The data recorded in both phases of this survey were obtained by personal visits with nurserymen [4] and collectors. Without their full cooperation, it would have been quite impossible to secure as full information as is herewith presented. The results of the two phases are reported separately. RESULTS of FIRST PHASE of SURVEY Presented in Table 1 are the results obtained in the survey to determine the relative degree of cold injury to blooms and bloom buds of camellia varieties. The data are arranged in four groups, TABLE 1. SUMMARY REPORT OF COLD DAMAGE TO, CAMELLIA BLOOM BUDS 1. Varieties having less than 10 per cent normal bloom buds* Jessica :,Alba Plena Kenny Aspasea Lotus Bessie Morse Bellingrath Marchioness of Exeter Black Dragon Margherita Caleoni Candidissima Mathotiana Catherine Cathcart Pink Ball ,C. M. Hovey Purity Daikagura Rev. John Bennett Eleanor Haygood R. Superba, Var. Fimbriata Royal White Florence Stratton St. Andre Frizzle White Tinky Lee .Gigantea Waterloo Governor Warren Woodville Red Hakurakuten Henningham Smith 2. Varieties having 10 to 41 per cent normal bloom buds* Mad. Chiang Kai Shek Admiral Nimitz Martha Brice Alba Superba Mrs. Baldwin Wood Alba Supreme Mrs. Charles Cobb Bessie McArthur Mrs. Freeman Weiss Big Beauty Mrs. K. Sawada vChalice Noblissima Col. Firey Opelousus Peony ,,Debutante Otome Dr. Campbell Pearl Harbor Duchess of Sutherland Pink Star Elizabeth Queen Bessie Enrico Bettoni Rainy Sun Fanny Bolis Dawn -'mose Fred Sander -arah Frost French Imperator September Morn Glenn 40 Susan Carter Goshoguruma Sweetie Vera Imperator Thelma Dale John Illges Victory White Kellingtonia ,Ville de Nantes King Lear White Crane K. Sawada White Giant Lady Van Sittart White Swan La Reine, Var. William Penn Laurel Leaf (Continued) * After November 25, 1950, freeze. [5] TABLE 1 (Continued). SUMMARY REPORT OF COLD DAMAGE TO CAMELLIA BLOOM BUDS 3. Varieties having 41 to 61 per cent normal bloom buds* Margaret Higdon Adolphe Audusson Margarie Magnificent Angel's Blush Marion Mitchell Aitonia Mrs. Chas. Simons Beauty of Holland Mrs. Harry Sinclair Berenice Boddy Northern Light Blush Hibiscus Pink Perfection Casablanca Pride of Greenville /C. Elegans Professor Sargent Christine Lee Razen Zome Donckelari Rev. John G. Drayton Duncan Bell Robert E. Lee General Patton Robert Norton Gloire de Nantes Rosea Mundi Jarvis Red Showa-no-Homare Lady Charlotte Smiling Beauty Lady Hume's Blush Snowdrift Lady Jane Gray Virgin's Blush Lady Mary Cromartie SWhite Chandelari Lindsay Neill White King 4. Varieties having 61 to 100 per cent normal bloom buds* Imura Akebono Iwane Shibori Aunt Jetty Jas. Hyde Porter Brown's Red Kimberly Campbell Ashley Kumasaki Colletti Lurie's Favorite Compte de Nesselrode Madam Adele Derbiana Madam Maintenon Dr. W. G. Lee Marchioness of Salisbury Dubonnet Monjisu Eleanor of Fairoaks Nagasaki Elizabeth Arden Pink Duchess of Sutherland Empress Red Hibiscus Eugene Bolen Rhapsody Fairhope Sarasa Finlandia, Var. Semi Double Blush Firebrand Sgt. Barrios Firegold-Dr. Shepherd Tri Color Flame Vedrene Gov. Leche White Empress ,Gov. Mouton White Hibiscus H. A. Downing William Downing ,Herme *After November 25, 1950, freeze. listing varieties by percentage of normal bloom buds after the November 25, 1950, freeze as follows: Less than 10 per cent normal, 10 to 41 per cent normal, 41 to 61 per cent normal, and more than 61 per cent normal. The reader should remember that it is not possible to secure exact information on this kind of problem by means of a survey. In all probability, a number of factors determine whether a given variety of camellia is hardy or is injured by a given set of weather [6] conditions. All such factors may not even be known or understood. Consequently, all that can be accomplished by a survey is to give, as far as possible, a general measure of the relative resistance or susceptibility to cold injury of the varieties included in the study. It must also be recognized that there will be found instances where results observed by individuals may differ from those set out for any given variety in this report. At present, there is no way to explain these kinds of variations in the reactions of plants within a variety. The varieties listed in Table 1 appeared two or more times in the survey records. However, there were many varieties that were found only once in making this phase of the survey. The actual value of reporting on a variety that was found only once in a number of nurseries and collections has been questioned. Certainly it might be unwise to attach too much significance to a report based on only single observations. Nevertheless, many of the newer and rarer varieties fall in this category. Therefore, after again cautioning the reader against putting too much confidence in a report based on only one observation, varieties with only one listing are given alphabetically. The figure appearing after the variety name is the percentage of bloom buds that appeared to be, or proved to be, normal after the freeze of November 25, 1950. Admiration, 0; Amabilis, 100; Amazing, 75; Anita, 100; Ann Flo Lee, 100; Ana Frost, 100; Antigoni, 75; Apple Blossom, 0. Baby Sargent, 100; Barbara Morgan, 0; Beni-Kirin, 12; Betty Boardman, 100; Bleichroeder, 100; Brilliant Star, 90. Caleb Cope, 0; Cardinal Richelieu, 0; Carone Fonde, 0; Compte de Nesselrode, 100; Clara Brooks, 100; Clara Myrick, 0; ,C. M. Wilson, 0; C. N. Hastie, 100; Col. Von Wassonhove, 0; Countess of Orkney, 20; Creole Pink, 100; Crepe Rosette, 0; Crown Jewel, 5; Crusader, 100. Dante, 0; D. C. Strother, 0; Dr. Moore, 95; Due de Orleans, 10; Duncan Fletcher, 50. E. H. Folk, 0; Eleanor Franchetti, 0; Emmet Pfingstl, 100; Etienne de Bore, 100. Finlandia, 0; Flamingo, 0; Flesh Pink Allen, 0; Francine, 0; Frankie Bray, 100. Galilee, 0; George W. Towle, 100; Giant White, 0; Gilbert Fisher, 100. Haku-Tsuru, 100; Henry Middleton, 75; Hoshiguruma, 100. II Cygno, 0. James Allan, 0; Jason, 100; Jessie Katz, 0; Joan of Arc, 0; Joseph Holland, 100; Joseph Pfingstl, 0; Josephine Hearn, 100; Judge Hammond, 0. [7] Lady Allingham, 0; Lady Dunn, 0; Lady Marian, 100; Lady of the Lake, 0; LaPeppermint, 0; Leona Bolen, 90; Leucantha, 100; Lila Rosa, 5; Linda Barry, 100; Lois Taylor, 100; Lord Salisbury, 5; Louise Maclay, 100. Mad. de Strekoloff, 0; Madge Miller, 100; Mansfield, Var., 100; Mary Hare, 0; Mehita, 0; Mollie Moore Davis, 100; Mon Louis Pink, 100; Mrs. Chas. Burgess, 100; Mrs. Sandusky, 0; Mrs. William Thompson, 0. Nelson, 100; Nafsika, 100. Opelousus Pink, 100; Orchid Pink, 100; Oriental Brit, 100. Pansy McIntyre, 100; Pax, 0; Pink Amabilis, 100; Pink Beautiful, 100; Pink Fimbriata, 0; Pink Lace, 0; Pink Strekoloff, 90; Pride of Descanso, 0; Prince Albert, 0; Princess Bacciochi, 0. Robinson 56, 100; Rosalaris, 0; Rosary, 100; Rose Emery, 0; Rose Glory, 100; Rose Mallow, 0. Scarlett O'Hara, 0; Salmon Queen, 0; San Antonio, 0; Sandusky's Pink, 100; Sanki Nishiki, 0; S. de Bienville, 0; S. de B. Litou, 0; Shiro Botan, 0; Shiro Daikagura, 60; Sofia, 100; Stevens Pink, 80; Swan (Y. Dori), 100. Tallahassee Girl, 100; Tautonia, 100; The Bell, 0; T. K. Var., 100. Variabilis, 0; Vashti, 0; Victory Maid, 0. White Gem, 100; White Hope, 0; White Star, 0; William Rosa, 40; Winnie Davis, 100. RESULTS of SECOND PHASE of SURVEY Earlier iri this report, there was brief mention of the low temperatures experienced on November 25, 1950, in the general latitude of Birmingham, Alabama, to Macon, Georgia. These low temperatures caused very severe injury to the plants of many varieties of camellias and destroyed about 99 per cent of all bloom buds. Consequently, the cold-damage-to-camellia survey in this area dealt entirely with extent of injury sustained by plants. Observations were recorded relative to exposure, degree of defoliation, and loss of terminal and lateral growth buds. Most nurseries and collections were examined in February and early March of 1951, but a second visit with a number of cooperators was made in May and early June to check some of the earlier observations. In Table 2, all varieties that appeared more than once in the survey are grouped either as (1) hardy, (2) intermediate, or (3) sensitive to cold. This grouping is based on a careful study of the reports on each variety. At once it is obvious that such a classification involves human judgment to a considerable extent, and as such it is subject to a certain amount of error. It should also be remembered that the results of a survey cannot be abso[8] lutely factual. However, they may give a good generalized picture of conditions. The data in Tables 1 and 2 should be carefully considered since they relate to the value of any given variety of camellia. It is possible that a variety may be very cold-hardy with respect to T'ABLE 2. DEGREE OF COLD INJURY TO CAMELLIAS THAN ONCE IN SURVEY) (VARIETIES APPEARING MORE Name HARDY Anne Lindbergh Anna Frost Amabalis Anna Lee Angel's Blush After Glow Aunt Jetty Blush Hibiscus Berenice Boddy Barbara Morgan Brown's Red C. M. Wilson Cameo Pink Capt. Martin's Favorite Casa Blanca Countess of Orkney Crepe Rosette Clower's White Cleopatra Capt. John Smith CrusaderCarnation C. de Nesselrode Donckelari Dr. W. G. Lee Dainty D. C. Strother Dr. Tinsley Eleanor of Fairoaks E. H. Folk Etienne de Bore Eleanor Nobile Emmet Barnes Flame Finlandia Fred Sander Firebrand Firegold Gov. Mouton Geo. Barrett No. Exposure Name HARDY (Continued) H. A. Downing Hishikariato Herme Sport Imura Iwane Shibori Jos. Holland Jas. Hyde Porter Jessie Katz J. J. Pringle Smith K. Sawada Kumasaka Lurie's Favorite Lila Rosa Liberty Belle Lawrence Walker Lena Jackson Louise Maclay Lotus Lady Charlotte Lady Hume's Blush Lady Van Sittart Sport Louise Onetta Lucille Flannagan SMagnoliaeflora Mrs. Chas. Simons Mary Charlotte Martha Brice Margarie Magnificent Madam Maintenon Mrs. K. Sawada Margaret Higdon Morning Glow Marian Mitchell Margaret Jack Margaret Walker Max Goodly Miss Sacramento Mollie Moore Davis Martha Wright Meredith Lake Miss Ozark No. Exposure 9 5 4 11 6 2 4 5 4 13 29 8 6 6 7 7 5 7 4 3 2 4 8 15 7 8 6 9 4 13 8 8 8 5 3 3 2 5 2 2 2 Shade Sun Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Sun Sun Sun Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade 3 2 4 3 3 2 5 5 6 5 2 12 10 4 11 2 3 4 2 2 3 2 7 17 5 2 4 8 5 7 2 2 4 10 7 5 6 6 12 5 Shade Shade Shade Sun Sun Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Sun Shade (Continued) [9] TABLE 2 (Continued). DEGREE OF COLD INJURY TO CAMELLIAS PEARING MORE THAN ONCE IN SURVEY) (VARIETIES AP- Name HARDY (Continued) Oranda Gasa Pax Princess Nagaskie Prima Donna Pride of Descanso Pearl Harbor Princess Murat Pink Calusant Pink Glory Paulette Goddard Pink Silk Satin Pink Sarasa Rev. John Bennett Rhapsody Royal White Rio Rita Red Eagle R. L. Wheeler Semi Double Blush Sarasa Shin Akebono Showa-no-Homare Tri Color Seboldi Tallahassee Girl Tiara Tinky Lee Triphosia T. K. Variegated Ville de Nantes Virgin's Blush Vedrene Victory Maid White Elegans White Hibiscus Yobeki Dori INTERMEDIATE Adolphe Audusson Arthur Middleton Akebono Anita Adm. Nimitz No. Exposure 3 4 11 4 6 7 3 3 5 4 2 2 13 2 5 3 2 2 4 5 3 2 5 3 6 3 2 5 23 13 4 3 2 2 8 21 2 6 4 12 Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Sun Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Sun Sun Shade Sun Shade Sun Sun Shade Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Sun Shade Name No. Exposure INTERMEDIATE (Continued) Sun 7 Brilliant 10 B. M. Bellingrath Shade Shade Beau Harp 9 9 B. McArthur Shade 2 Black Prince Sun Sun 3 Bryan Wright 6 Shade Big Beauty Sun 7 Black Dragon Sun 2 Brooklyana ,-C. Elegans Col. Firey Campbelli C. M. Hovey Campbell Ashley Cho-no-Hanagata Cheerful Cliveana Daikagura Derbiana Dr. Newsome Daiterin Dante Dr. Campbell Empress Enrico Bettoni Elizabeth Arden Elizabeth LeBey Emma Elizabeth Flemming Frizzle White Glenn 40 Goshoguruma Gen. Patton Gov. Warren Galilee Gen. Eisenhower High Hat Haka Tsuru Herme Pink Hana Fuki Imperator 19 10 3 8 6 8 3 2 25 6 2 4 3 2 22 8 3 5 4 2 10 22 10 5 7 6 2 16 7 3 7 6 Shade Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Shade Shade Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Shade Sun Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade (Continued) [10] TABLE 2 (continued). DEGREE OF COLD INJURY TO CAMELLIAS PEARING MORE THAN ONCE IN SURVEY) (VARIETIES AP- Name No. Exposure m __ Name No. Exposure INTERMEDIATE (Continued) Sun Jessica 11 Sun Jenny Jones 3 Sun 4 Judge Barrett Kenny King Lear Lady Van Sittart Letitia Schrader LaReine, Var. Laurel Leaf Leucantha Lallarook Lady of the Lourde Lada Lucille Lila Lee Mathotiana Monarch Mrs. Wm. Thompson Mary Hare Mrs. Freeman Weiss McFerrin Mrs. Harry Sinclair Margaret Dykes Mrs. Josephine Hearne Monroeville Red Otome Oniji Orchid Pink Olive Lee Shepp Pink Star Peona Flora Pride of Greenville Panache Prince Albert Peach Blossom Pope Pius Queen Bessie Rosea Superba Rev. John G. Drayton Rosary 8 6 15 8 11 14 5 3 2 2 Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun INTERMEDIATE (Continued) St. Andre 9 Snowdrift 6 6 Smiling Beauty 7 ,Sirah Frost 9 Shiro Botan 2 Symphonette 2 Sophia 4 Simeon 5 Strawberry Blonde 2 Star Cream Peony 5 Sgt. Barrios 4 Shu Beni Hitoe Teutonia -hite Empress White King Ward-Daikagura White Daikagura White Princess Yohei Shiro SENSITIVE 5 18 4 9 3 2 2 Sun Sun Shade Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Sun 2 38 9 2 2 5 2 3 2 2 2 8 2 4 2 9 8 6 2 2 3 8 9 18 8 3 Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Shade Sun Sun Shade Shade Shade Sun Sun Sun .Alba Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Shade Sun Shade Sun Supreme Arajishi Apple Blossom Alba Superba -Alba Plena* Aitonia Aspasea Beauty of Holland Catherine Cathcart Colletti Claudia Phelps Cardinal Richelieu California Clara Myrick Celestine Caprice Crown Jewels Charlotte Bradford 3 12 3 5 16 2 6 6 7 8 4 3 6 3 2 2 2 2 (Continued) * Of all varieties encountered in survey, those in bold face type are the most sensitive to cold. [11 ] 'ABLE 2 (continued). DEGREE OF COLD INJURY TO CAMELLIAS (VARIETIES AP- PEARING MORE THAN ONCE IN SURVEY) Name No. Name SENSITIVE (Continued) Magnolia Queen Marchioness of Exeter No. SENSITIVE (Continued) , Debutante 25 Duchess of Sutherland* 18 Duc de Orleans 2 Deacon Dodd 2 Elizabeth Boardman Elizabeth Emperor of Russia Eleanor Welch Emperor Eleanor Haygood Fanny Bolis Fimbriata French Imperator Francine Florence Stratton loire de Nantes iGigantea Gov. Leche ,Herme Marie Wood Madam de Strekoloff Mrs. Walter Allen Margherita Caleone 8 5 7 2 2 4 7 7 5 3 5 7 12 8 12 7 8 2 10 Margaret Hertrich Nagasaki Noblissima -Pink Perfection Pink Ball Purity Pink Duchess of 8 8 2 3 4 3 8 0 12 4 17 11 8 6 4 2 18 13 8 7 4 2 5 9 11 6 3 2 2 12 20 11 17 11 8 6 6 5 Sutherland Pink Lady Princess Baciocchi Professor Sargent .... Rose Dawn Rose Mallow Rainy Sun Henningham Smith Hakurakuten II Tremento Jarvis Red Razen Zome Reticulata Red Hibiscus James Allen, Var. Julia Dial Jos. Pfingstl Kellingtonia Lindsay Neill Lady Jane Gray LaPeppermint Lady Dunn Lady of the Lake Lady Mary Cromartie Lady Saumerez Monjisu 2 2 5 5 18 18 4 2 2 2 2 8 Sweetie Vera September Morn St. Elmo Shiro Daikagura Stardust Salmon Queen Thelma Dale Victor Emmanuel Victory White Woodville Red White Giant Waterloo Wm. Downing Wm. Penn White Queen Mrs. Chas. Cobb Mrs. Baldwin Wood Mad. Chiang Kai Shek Madam Adele Madge Miller sensitive to cold. 10 9 10 6 2 * Of all varieties encountered in survey, those in bold face type are the most [12] damage to the plant, but its blooms may be very sensitive to cold. For example, bloom buds of Mathotiana (Purple Dawn, Purple Emperor) are killed by moderate cold, but the plant itself will stand fairly severe weather without injury. Later in this report there is a brief discussion of the apparent importance of shade as a factor in protecting plants from cold injury. This is considered to be so important that it is taken into account in making the groupings that appear in Table 2. The reader is cautioned, therefore, to note whether a variety classification is modified by a requirement of shade. For example, the variety Amabilis is classed as hardy. Of the four reports for this variety, all were for plants that were shaded to some extent. If all had been in full sun, the results might have been different, although there is no way to determine such results. These kinds of considerations should warn the reader to make full use of all the data that are reported in the table. .It will be noted that Table 2 does not include any variety that did not appear at least twice in the survey. However, there were many varieties that occurred but once in the records. The actual value of reporting on a variety that was found only once in a number of nurseries and collections is questionable. Certainly it might not be wise to attach too much significance to a report based on only one observation. Nevertheless, many of the newer and rarer varieties fall in this category. Therefore, after again cautioning the reader against putting too much confidence in a report based on only one observation, varieties with only one listing are reported in Table 3. [ 13] TABLE 3. DEGREE OF COLD INJURY TO CAMELLIAS (VARIETIES ONCE IN SURVEY) APPEARING ONLY Name Exposure Name Exposure DEAD OR SEVERELY INJURED Shade Abundance Sun Alba Gigantea Shade Angelo Cochet Sun Aunt Bessie Brilliant Star Cali. Pink Star Carl Tourje Chalmers Perfection Clara Brock Clara Brooks Claudia Lee Conflagration Coronde Fondi Countess of Derby Daisy Banks Dearie Mealing Dr. Cirver Dr. Wilds Ella Drayton Emma Balchen Empress of Russia Evalyn Lee Blanck Evening Star Fielders Pink Fragrant Striped Haryo Shiro Hatchett's Var. Henry Middleton Imperator Iwo Jima Jim Boldman Josephine Duell Lady Langtry Lady Marion Lila Ramsey Lois Taylor Loreli Lovely Illusion Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Sun Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Shade Shade Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Shade Sun C~ DEAD OR SEVERELY INJURED (Continued) Mad. Hahn Sun Marie Louise Shade Matose Shade Mermaid Sun Millie Beau Sun Minnie Maddern Fiske Sun Miss Pasadena Sun Mrs. Lurman Sun Pink Pompom Pink Poppy Pink Shell Prince of Orange Princess Irene Sun Sun Shade Sun Sun Red Carnation Red Prince Red Wonder Ramona Thompson Roosevelt Blues Rosea, Var. Rox Crawley Ruth Royer Sarah Watson Sastome Shade Sun Sun Sun Sun Shade Sun Sun Shade Sun S. de Bohand S. de B. Litou Shak-ko Snow Ball Souvenir Star Red St. Valentine Toto An Tripod Tylertown Pink Vanity Fair Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Virginalis White Beauty Yuki Botan INTERMEDIATE Abbe Wilder American Beauty Anna Schawabe Shade Sun Sun Shade Sun Sun (Continued) [14] TABLE 3 (Continued). DEGREE OF COLD INJURY PEARING ONLY ONCE IN TO CAMELLIAS (VARIETI Es Ap- SURVEY) Name Exposure Name LITTLE OR NONE Ada Wilson Alice Stokes Althea Parti Color Ann Flo Lee Ann McDonald Arabella Ballerina Bertha A. Harms Betty Boardman Bill Lee Blanche Aurea Bleichroeder Cali. Tri Color Carole Lombard Catherine Stanton Chrissee Clarke C. N. Hastie Comptesse Niegant Dave Strother David Gerbing Daybreak Duchess of Northumberland Eddie Wheeler Ed. S. Northrup Eleanor McGrady Eleanor Van Cleve Emmet Pfingstl Ermine Eugene Bolen Finlandia Rosea Flesh Pink Peony Frances Lanahan Franky Bray Garnus Flora Bradford Gov. Wm. Grande Flora Rosea Gulatt's White xposure Ex Sun Sun Sun INTERMEDIATE (Continued) Sun Barbara Cole Sun Bella Romana C. Lavini Maggi Constellation Crimson Sunset Dixie Dr. F. L. Cato Edith Churchwell Elata Ellen McKenzie Gardenia Grady McCord Gunell Jubilee Judge Vaughn Mad. Calusant Pink Margaret Mitchell Martha Betts Matsu Kosa Moss Point Red Mrs. Clarke Mrs. Hardwick Oveta Rose Glory Rosalaris Rosa Lee Rebya Ellis Robt. Casa Major, Var. Rubra Virginalis Rye Heriot Shiro Toma Sylvia Tutcheria Wacissa Williams Middleton Sun Shade Shade Sun Sun Sun Shade Shade Sun Sun Sun Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Shade Shade Shade Shade Sun Sun Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Sun Sun Sun Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade (Continued) [15] TABLE 3 (Continued). DEGREE OF COLD INJURY TO CAMELLIAS PEARING ONLY ONCE IN SURVEY) (VARIETIES AP- Name Exposure Name Exposure LITTLE OR NONE (Continued) Shade Harlequin Shade Hatsu Arashi Sun Highirimer Shade Hirenge Shade Hllis Boardman Ii Cygno J. S. Bradford Kosugano Ladiner's Pink Leila Louise Weick Marquis de Montcalm Martha Boardman Martha Thaggard Mon Louie Pink Moonlight Mrs. F. L. Gibson Oki-no-nomi Otome White Paul Howard's White Payne's Red Pearl Maxwell Pink Elegans Pink Hibiscus Plumfield White Princess UVCILUIIILIIJI~'~U1~I1CL Lucille Sun LITTLE OR NONE (Continued) Sun Radiance Shade Red Dale Shade Rohert E. Lee Rochelle Sun Rosea Plena Shade Rose and Snow Shade Rose Emery Sun Sanko Nishiki Seboldi Alba Southern Belle Strom Sunny South Supresse Noblissima Sweet 16 T. G. 13 Tinsie Varegata Variabilis Warratah White Herme White Symphony Wilks, Var. Sun Sun Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Sun Shade Sun Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Shade Sun Shade Sun Shade Sun Shade Shade Sun Shade Shade UIILCUV *~ ~L-U-V [16] GENERAL DISCUSSION Effect of Shade An analysis of the data obtained in the survey showed that a large number of camellia plants reported to be injured little or none were shaded to some degree. The very important part played by shade is made clear by an analysis of data for all varieties, which may be summarized as follows: Of all records of killed or severely injured plants, 431 were in sun while 481 were in shade to some extent; there were 88 plants in shade and 71 plants in sun in the group that sustained intermediate injury; and of those that suffered little or no injury, 717 were in shade and 209 were in sun. A similar study of the data for those varieties that appear but once in the reports shows that, of those reported dead or severely injured, 55 were in sun and 18 were in shade; in the group sustaining intermediate injury, 27 were in sun while 9 were shaded to some degree; but, of the 85 plants that were injured little or none, 30 were in sun and 55 were in shade. These data strongly indicate that shade is one very important factor affecting the degree of injury sustained by camellias in times of very low temperatures. Effect of Dormancy Another very important factor determining whether low temperatures injure camellias is the degree of dormancy of the plants at the time of severe cold weather. Support for this is found in the reports of the United States Weather Bureau. On the morning of November 25, 1950, temperatures ranging from 5 degrees at Birmingham to 8 or 10 degrees at Auburn, Alabama, and at Columbus, Fort Valley, and Macon, Georgia, were recorded. Throughout this area, camellias suffered very severely from the low temperatures. From 50 to 80 per cent of all varieties in some collections were killed or severely injured. On the same day, the Weather Bureau recorded temperatures ranging from 17 degrees at Dothan, Alabama, to 22 degrees at Mobile. Though liners, young grafts, and certain tender varieties of camellias in exposed situations were more or less severely injured, in general the injury to most camellia plants was relatively slight in the Dothan and Mobile areas. Then came the freeze of February 3, 1951, when the following temperatures were officially recorded in Alabama: Birmingham, 7; Auburn, 9; Tuscaloosa, 6; Montgomery (A.P.), [ 17] 10; Dothan (A.P.), 12; Bay Minette, 10; Fairhope, 10; and Mobile (A.P.), 11. In the general latitude of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, and Montgomery, the February freeze was as severe as the November freeze; whereas, in the general latitude of Dothan, Bay Minette, Fairhope, and Mobile, there were recorded some of the lowest temperature records of all time. Yet damage to camellias by the February freeze was negligible. It is the opinion of the writer that camellia plants had become dormant by the time of the February freeze, and it was due to. this dormancy that the camellia plants suffered little or no damage anywhere in Alabama at that time. Here, again, the reader is cautioned to remember that the foregoing statement is not absolutely factual, but it is supported by what a layman may call "circumstantial evidence." In the opinion of the author, the conclusion is entirely sound. Based on evidence of the importance of shade and of dormancy, it would appear that a healthy, dormant camellia plant that has the benefit of reasonably good protection from direct rays of sunlight will stand very low temperatures. Can man hasten dormancy in camellias? Possibly, yes. Some nurserymen are strongly of the opinion that no nitrogenous fertilizer should be applied after about June 1. However, there is a very wide divergence of opinion among nurserymen and collectors as to what constitutes a good fertilizer schedule. Nearly every nurseryman and collector interviewed followed a fertilization schedule that differed to some extent from that of each of the other growers contacted. There is urgent need for a greatly expanded program of experiments with fertilizers for camellias. In the meantime, it may be repeated that "circumstantial" evidence indicates that dormancy may be hastened by omitting nitrogen to fertilizer applications made between June 1 and December 1. Finally, it should be recalled that this report was prompted by the effects of an extremely severe freeze that occurred during the last week of November, and that a similar very severe freeze about mid-season caused little or no damage to camellias anywhere in Alabama. According to the laws of chance, 75 years may pass before another such freeze comes as early in the season. While nurserymen and collectors have suffered severe losses because of this very early freeze, there is evidence that great interest in camellias will continue. [18] ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This survey was made possible by the cooperation of the following nurserymen and collectors: ALABAMA. John C. Ball, Jr., M. J. Funchess, and H. G. Good, Auburn; O. J. Manci and J. H. Stacy, Bay Minette; Miss Elizabeth Aust, J. V. Blackwell, Mrs. C. F. Manley, and E. D. Mercer, Birmingham; Malbis Nursery, Daphne; Mark Cannon, Carter's Nursery, W. F. Covington, B. P. Poyner, and Dr. W. H. Turner, Dothan; Azalea Glen Nursery, Loxley; Flowerwood, Overlook, Pace, Semmes, and Tom Dodd Nurseries, Mobile; Mrs. R. T. Ashurst, Jr., and Dalraida Nursery, Montgomery; C. S. Shealy and Mrs. J. A. Walker, Opelika; East Alabama Nursery, Phenix City; Mrs. C. B. Grimes, Guthrie-Barton Nursery, and Judge Reuben Wright, Tuscaloosa; and Judge William Varner, Tuskegee. GEORGIA. John Illges, Columbus; Dr. W. G. Lee, Macon; and D. C. Strother, Fort Valley. 119 J