As a community service, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Camellia Society (GFWBCS), which is over 50 years old, conducts a free yearly Camellia Workshop to introduce the camellia to area residents. This year’s workshop will be held Saturday, February 3, 9 a.m. to Noon at the Okaloosa County Extension Annex located at 127 NW Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach.
Members of the GFWBCS will be available to answer questions and provide demonstrations and handouts on the following topics.
Planting and Care of Camellias – The special planting requirements for your new camellia and a monthly care calendar will be available for your potted and landscape camellias.
Propagation – There are several simple methods to propagate camellias that will be demonstrated. They include air layering, seeds and grafting.
Gibbing/Debudding – Instructions will be given on how to improve the size and quality of your camellia blooms through gibbing and debudding.
Insects/Pests/Diseases – Bring samples of any camellia plant problems you may have for identification and recommended treatment. This might include stem and leaf samples that have suspected scale insects, mites, diseases or nutrient deficiencies. It’s important to bring fresh plant samples that represent what is seen in the landscape. Photos on smart phones, etc., also may be sufficient to ID the problem.
Gardening with Camellias in Containers – This topic will be covered at the workshop, as well. If you don’t have a place to plant them or if you live in a northern climate, consider employing camellias as a potted plant.
Free Back Issues of Camellia Magazines – These will be available in addition to an opportunity to join the GFWBCS and the American Camellia Society.
In addition to the above topics, there will be a limited number of plants for sale and a camellia bloom display. Attendees also may bring fresh camellia blooms or photos of the flowers from unknown camellia plants for identification.
You are invited to come learn more about camellias and have a cup of coffee with the GFWBCS members.
Call Joseph Jenus, GFWBCS Workshop Chairman, at (850) 862-4526 for more info.
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