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Newsletter by Mail or Email ?

Dear Members,

I am sure all of you would have noticed that postage rates have risen

recently and are expected to continue to rise. Similarly, newsletter

printing costs rise each year.

In recent times a number of members have expressed a preference to

receive our newsletter by email. This has led to a saving in both post-

age and printing costs.

If you would like to receive your monthly newsletter by email please

send me a note with your email address. Not only will you be helping

the society to save costs but you will also receive the newsletter a

week earlier than the printed version.

Thank you,

John Hadlow

Email: johnhadlow1@hotmail.com

Camellia hybrid “Lady Gowrie”

NSW CAMELLIA NSW CAMELLIA NSW CAMELLIA

RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH

SOCIETY INC.SOCIETY INC.SOCIETY INC.

Affiliate of Camellias Australia Inc.Affiliate of Camellias Australia Inc.Affiliate of Camellias Australia Inc.

www.camelliasnsw.orgwww.camelliasnsw.orgwww.camelliasnsw.org

NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER Issue No: 4Issue No: 4 May 2015May 2015 Price: $1.50Price: $1.50

ContentsContentsContents

From The President’s Pen; Camellia Calendar; April Meeting photos and some Editor’s Camellia photos; Farewelling Mollie Savell; Cultural Notes for May: The “What” of Weeds; Bloom Competition Results for April and Aggregate scores to-date; and Asking Members: Newsletter by Mail or Email?

Next Monthly Meeting will be held on Monday 18th May 2015 at 7.45pmNext Monthly Meeting will be held on Monday 18th May 2015 at 7.45pmNext Monthly Meeting will be held on Monday 18th May 2015 at 7.45pm Program Program Program --- See page 5 for full detailsSee page 5 for full detailsSee page 5 for full details

President Richie Griffiths will update members on society news topics and will lead a discussion carried over from last month on all things relating to soils, wetting agents and fertilisers that provide a healthy environment for our camellias;

Our main speaker this month is Chris Chapman who will share some of his tips on successfully exhibiting camellias at shows;

Annual Bloom Competition is in full swing this month;

Donation Camellia Plant draw (of two plants) kindly provided by Parkers Camellias; and

Supper

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Patron Her Excellency Professor The Honourable

Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO

President Richie Griffiths

39 Hazelmead Road, Asquith 2077

0418 200139

(mobile)

Vice President Pam Watson

12 Knights Road, Galston 2159

9653 1036

Secretary Margaret Levick

73 Roland Avenue Wahroonga 2076 Email: peter.levick@bigpond.com

9489 4482

Treasurer Paul Stanley

“Birchgrove” 16 Fishburns Road, Galston, 2159

9653 2202

Public Officer Peter Levick

Membership Secretary Margaret Levick

Committee (including

President, Vice-

President, Secretary,

Treasurer and

Newsletter Editor)

Peter Levick (Immediate Past President)

Diana Herrald

6 Lisgar Road, Hornsby, 2077

Juliet Muras

11 Ackling Street, Baulkham Hills, 2153

Kate Stanley (details same as Paul Stanley)

Richard Fischer

7/70 Albert Street, Hornsby, 2077

Liz Navin

P.O Box 2515, Bowral, 2576

9489 4482

9482 4487

9639 5445

9653 2202

9476 3141

4871 1146

Newsletter Editor and

Producer

John Hadlow

17 Tudor Place, St Ives Chase 2075

9449 8989

Librarian Bill Fleming wfleming@primusonline.com.au

National Councillor Richie Griffiths

Email Address nswcamellias@hotmail.com

Website www.camelliasnsw.org

NSW CNSW CNSW CAMELLIAAMELLIAAMELLIA RESEARCHRESEARCHRESEARCH SOCIETYSOCIETYSOCIETY INCINCINC

A.B.N. 16 873 158 367A.B.N. 16 873 158 367A.B.N. 16 873 158 367 Reg. No. Y17693Reg. No. Y17693Reg. No. Y17693---474747

The NSW Camellia Research Society meets on the third Monday of every

month February to November inclusive at the Baptist Church Hall, corner of

Park Avenue and Garden Square, Gordon at 7.45pm

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OPEN CHAMPION

Happy Holidays exhibited by John Hadlow

NOVICE CHAMPION

Marie Young exhibited by Helen Wallace

R & G O’Conor 19

Pam Watson 18

John Hadlow 13

Bill Fleming 5

Daniel Low 2

AGGREGATE SCORES

OPEN NOVICE

Daniel Low 29

Helen Wallace 23

Bloom Competition Results for April 2015

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C1 Sasanqua Single 1st Setsugekka R & G O’Conor

2nd Mikuni-ko John Hadlow

C2 Sasanqua Doubles &

Elegans

1st Mine-No-Yuki R & G O’Conor

2nd Frosted Star John Hadlow

C4 Japonica Semi-double

+70mm - 110mm

1st Dainty Maiden R & G O’Conor

C10 Japonica Formal Double 1st Happy Holidays John Hadlow

C2 Collection: Sasanqua 3 Blooms same cultivar

1st Hiryu R & G O’Conor

2nd Mine-No-Yuki R & G O’Conor

Bloom Competition Results for April 2015

C1 Sasanqua Single 1st Marie Young Helen Wallace

2nd Yuletide Helen Wallace

C2 Sasanqua Doubles & Ele-

gans

1st Showa-no-sake Helen Wallace

2nd Bert Jones Helen Wallace

C10 Japonica Formal Double 1st Susan Stone Daniel Low

C13 Reticulata and their Hy-

brids

1st Show Girl Daniel Low

2nd Show Girl Daniel Low

C1 Collection: Sasanqua 3

blooms different cultivars

1st Bert Jones, Plantation

Pink, Show-no-Sake

Helen Wallace

C2 Collection: Sasanqua 3

blooms same cultivar

1st Mine-no-Yuki Daniel Low

2nd Exquisite Daniel Low

OPEN

NOVICE

3

From The President's Pen

What a month! Firstly, I would like to congratulate all those hearty (mad) souls that braved the rain for our April meeting – and that was the first day of what turned out to be two weeks of continual rain. I think the mould was developing patches of mould. I am almost looking forward to dusty conditions.

But, it has benefited developing buds no end, with some early Japonica blooms bursting forth. All signs are good for a bumper season if the early quality of the Sasanquas and Japonicas is any indication.

Speaking of early blooms, our show season is almost upon us. It is also looking like a bumper show this year at Ravenswood. Dr Doreen Clark has graciously accepted our invitation to open the Show, that, this year, is designated as the National Show for Camellias Australia Inc. This incorporates a number of extra awards on top of our usual prizes. A variety of other features including Ikebana demonstration and display, plant sales, and the photography competition will also be part of this year’s Show.

By now, most people should have received the National Congress Registration Form. I encourage you to take part in the Congress and recommend that you book early to guarantee your attendance as registrations are already rolling in. More details about the Congress and its associated activities will be provided in upcoming newsletters.

Hopefully May’s weather will be a bit kinder and we will welcome a full hall for our May meeting. See you there!

Richie Griffiths

Editor’s Note: This month’s newsletter is shorter than I expected due to a breakdown of my main computer where all my camellia files and photos are held. Fortunately, I had backed-up part of the newsletter to a memory drive. A bumper edition is now planned for next month’s newsletter. John Hadlow

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May 2015

18th May Monthly Meeting: Chris Chapman will share his tips for exhibiting camellia blooms

30th May Working Bee gathering at Eryldene from 9am - 3pm. Bring your secateurs and lunch to help tidy-up the garden. After lunch view Eryldene’s library at rear of study. Teas and coffee provided. Just Turn Up. Call Juliet Muras 9639 5445 if you have any questions.

June 2015

15th June Monthly Meeting: Guest Speaker is Dr Stephen Utick who will update members on the progress of the Camellia Ark Project

July 2015

11th & 12th July National and Annual Camellia Show at Ravenswood School for Girls, Gordon, NSW 2072 to be opened by Dr Doreen Clark AM, president of Ku-ring-gai Horticultural Society and founding director of Organic Crop Protectants

20th July Monthly Meeting

August 2015

9th August Lisgar Gardens, Hornsby will be having its annual Gala Day

17th August Monthly Meeting

September 2015

17th - 20th

September

“North By Northwest” National Congress at Sebel Resort & Spa, Hawkesbury Valley, Windsor. Next edition of Camellia News will have all the information about this important event we are hosting

October 2015

19th October AGM and Monthly Meeting

2015 Camellia Calendar

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Cultural Notes for May: Weeds – “The What”

There is hardly a plant type not represented by a weed – from woody tree species to ferns and mosses, climbers to grasses – all may develop into a weed. To combat these plants that invade our gardens, you need to know your enemy.

Firstly, identification of the weed is a major step to prevention and eradication. Often these plants will be closely related to desired plant species. By identifying, even to the Genus level, this will greatly assist in understanding the weed. It will provide information that is vital to explaining why the plant is invading your garden and how you may be able to control it.

Knowing what conditions are favoured by each weed is of great advantage in gaining the upper hand. Such factors as soil texture and moisture, light and nutrient requirements, pH, etc., can affect the presence and spread of these weeds.

Similarly, understanding the lifecycle of the weed is also critical. Is the weed an annual or perennial? Is control possible or will prevention of the next generation be more practical? Is flowering throughout the growing cycle or at the end of the growing season? Related to the lifecycle is the growth habit. Does the plant produce rhizomes or stolons that can spread and develop new plants? Will new plants sucker at a distance from the parent? Or does the weed climb and scramble over a host?

Another important consideration is the propagation methods that particular weeds may adopt. These include tubers, corms or bulbs, rhizomes, stems and leaves that take root when in contact with soil, excessive seed production, short development time of seeds from flowering, quick and successful germination, short lifecycles between generations and successful dispersal methods, such as wind-blown seed, attachment to hosts, or by eaten by birds or animals.

Now that we understand what our weed is, we need to answer, “why is it there”? Stay tuned in June!

Richie Griffiths

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It is with sadness that we report the

recent passing of our dear friend

Mollie Savell, at the age of 96 years.

Mollie and her son Bob joined the NSW Camellia Research Society in 1960. Bob was

president in 1982-4 and both he and Mollie served on many committees.

Mollie was an active member until 2010. She had been NSWCRS secretary for 15

years and on all sub committees for displays and shows for many more years.

A keen exhibitor Mollie was runner up in the Bloom competition in 1978, 1979, 1990,

1991.

Her other passion in gardening other than camellias, was as a keen bearded iris fan

and in 1982 iris grower Graham Grosvenor named a beautiful iris for her “Mollie Savell”.

Not forgetting her curtains of Spanish Moss throughout her charming garden.

Mollie was awarded the T J Savige Award in the inaugural awards in 1982, and still an

active member in 2010 she was made an Honorary Life Member of the NSWCRS. Both

of these prestigious camellia awards were well deserved by Mollie as she had been a

talented and popular member of the society as well as being a dedicated and active

member of the Floral Art section of the Royal Horticultural Society. Mollie was also a

teacher of floral art and flower arranging. She was an accredited judge for Floral Art

competitions. Mollie experienced great pleasure from helping the younger generation

develop a love of flowers, their presentation and preservation.

Mollie was instrumental in managing both non-competitive and competitive Floral Art

and decorative displays in conjunction with NSWCRS shows at St Albans Epping, St

Johns Gordon, Blaxland Gallery (Farmer’s) Sydney, Bowden Brae Retirement Village

Thornleigh and Elizabeth Farm Historic House, Parramatta. Also at Tomago Historic

House Newcastle, Bob Cherry’s “Paradise” garden days and the always striking and

creative Floral Art Display and competition at the annual Camellia Show at

Ravenswood School, Gordon.

Mollie was a warm, good natured cheerful lady who was always smartly and

immaculately dressed. A wonderful person! She will be dearly missed by her family

and her dear friend Olive Donnelly, also a Camellia Society member, who visited Mollie

twice a week in the latter years of her life.

1.5.2015

Vale Mollie Savell Floral Artist Extraordinaire

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Next Monthly Meeting is on Monday 18th May 2015 at the Baptist Church Hall, Park Avenue, Gordon at 7.45pm

Program

Richie Griffiths will provide the latest news for members and will also lead a discussion that was carried over from last month’s meeting on everything to do with soils to help you grow healthy camellia plants;

Chris Chapman, member and highly experienced judge, will give his insights and tips on the successful way of exhibiting camellias at shows;

The Bloom Competition continues in full swing;

Experts will be on hand to answer your camellia related questions;

Donation Prize draw will have two camellia plants (including last month’s plant carried over to the May meeting) selected by Bill Parker of Camellias-R-Us (Parkers Camellias). Tickets to enter the prize draw remain at $1 each or 3 tickets for $2.

Our usual friendly supper wraps up the evening - please bring along a plate of something to share.

Notes on Our April Monthly Meeting

There’s not much to report from last month’s meeting. The weather conditions on 20th April were quite horrendous so it was not at all surprising that we had a very low turnout of members attending the meeting.

Richie talked about the Collector’s Plant fair held in April at Clarendon, the National Congress in September and confirmed that Dr Doreen Clark would open our National Show in July at Ravenswood Girls School, Gordon.

Richie also mentioned that one of the books that inspired his interest in camellias was an old edition of “Good Housekeeping” and recently acquired a copy of Professor Waterhouse’s rare “Camellia Quest”.

Wishing Peter Levick A Speedy Recovery

Our dear past president and Society stalwart, Peter Levick, recently left hospital and is now slowly recovering at home. We wish Peter all the very best and hope he is soon back to the best of health and able to tend to his fantastic garden and his wonderful camellias.

Diana Herrald Is Moving To Canberra

Our Committee member, Diana Herrald, is moving to Canberra during May. Diana has been living in Lisgar Road, Hornsby and has often visited Lisgar Gardens. She will be taking her large collection of potted camellias (and other plants) with her.

We wish Diana all the best, and hope that her plants thrive in their new home.

John Hadlow

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A Selection of Photos From Our April Meeting

Left: Class 2:

Sasanqua Doubles

and Elegans form

Right: Sasanqua

Collections C2 Three

blooms-same cultivar

Open Champion: Happy Holidays

exhibited by John Hadlow

Novice Champion: Marie Young

exhibited by Helen Wallace

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Editor’s Own Camellia Bloom Photo Picks

C.Sas. Mikuni-ko C.Sas: Shichifukujin

C.Vernalis Sas; Star Above Star C. Sas: Frosted Star

C. Jap: Henry E. Huntington

C.Sas: Fuji-no-mine