Weekend Gardening: Caring For Camellias
March 8, 2014
One of Northwest Florida’s most reliable and rewarding shrubs is the camellia. Providing dark green leaves throughout the year, gardeners are rewarded in late winter or early spring with a variety of beautifully colored and shaped flowers. Camellias tend to thrive in our acidic soil but they do require some routine maintenance.
Pick up the fallen flowers. A fungal disease known as petal blight will rapidly turn entire flowers brown. If a camellia has petal blight, remove and dispose of all blighted flowers both on the plant and on the ground. You may also consider discarding the old mulch around the shrub and apply a layer of fresh mulch. This practice sometimes helps prevent fungal spores from blowing back onto new flowers. One of the best ways to prevent this disease is to pick up and destroy fallen blooms. Flowers will continue to drop for several weeks, so it’s important to pick up blooms several times a week.
Scout for tea scale. One of the most common insect pests of camellia is a scale insect known as tea scale. Check the underside of leaves regularly for this annoying pest. These small, sessile, white, thin, sap-sucking insects can build up large numbers if you do not regularly inspect your plants and take corrective measures when scale is first found. Often your first clue will be spotty yellowing on the upper surface of the leaves. Horticultural oil can be used in the winter time if used before blooming or in spring after blooming. Do not apply horticultural oil when near-freezing temperatures may be expected. Always carefully read and follow pesticide label directions before use.
Expect some leaves to fall in the spring. Camellias are “evergreen” meaning that they have leaves on the shrub year round. However, as individual leaves age, they will fall from the shrub and are replaced with new leaves in the spring. It is not unusual for camellia to drop up to 30 percent of their leaves. As long as new leaves are developing, there is no need for concern.
Camellia can be pruned after they flower. The most important reason for pruning camellias is to improve the overall health of the plant. Many times, camellias that have not been pruned in a few years will develop dead or deteriorating twigs. Removing the dead and dying limbs will minimize the possibility of diseases such as “dieback” and will also allow the plant to re-concentrate its energies. In many instances, camellias that have been neglected for a number of years will become infested with scale insects. Pruning is an effective way to provide for better coverage of chemical sprays and increase air circulation.
Lichens are warning signs. Lichens are gray-green to green mossy growths on the stems of old, neglected camellias. The lichen is a combination of a fungus and an alga that grows symbiotically. They are not parasitic to the camellia. Affected plants usually need fertilizing, watering, and mulching for better growing conditions.
Fertilizer applications help to achieve maximum performance. Apply fertilizer in the spring after blooming but before new growth starts. With many fertilizers, small amounts at frequent intervals are better than heavy applications. Special camellia fertilizers are available at your local stores. One application in early spring after blooming should be followed by a second application in mid June to early July. Scatter the fertilizer evenly on top of the mulch and away from the main stem of the plant. Water the fertilizer into the soil. Do not fertilize after July, so the plants will have a longer time to harden off and avoid freeze damage.
by Santa Rosa Extension Service
Century CI Employees Read Dr. Seuss To Elementary Students
March 7, 2014
Century Correctional’s Assistant Warden Hutchins and Officer Tony deGraaf read to a kindergarten class at Jay Elementary School as part of Read Across America Day. They read the popular Seuss book The Foot Book, gave each student a special treat and helped with a special assignment. They also expressed the importance of learning to read and of a good education.
Read Across America Day, the signature program of the National Education Association, focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships and reading resources. It’s held annual on or near Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
Pictured: Century Correctional Institution Officer Tony deGraaf and Assistant Warden Hutchins (in tie) read to a kindergarten class at Jay Elementary School. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NJROTC Cadet Braun Receives Prestigious Area Award
March 6, 2014
Northview High School Cadet LCDR Kasie Braun, NJROTC Company Commander, was selected for the Area Eight ROTC “Joseph C. Gilliam Award”. Braun completed against cadets from 50 ROTC units in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to win this prestigious award, a first for Northview’s NJROTC unit. Pictured: LCDR Kasie Braun watches cadets during a Pass In Review recently at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Library Reads Across America With Dr. Seuss
March 6, 2014
The Molino Branch Library recently celebrated Dr. Seuss and Read Across America with stories, characters, popcorn a lots of reading fun. Several participants also took the “Reader’s Oath”, promising to read each day and each night (because it’s the key to “growing up right”). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo: Captain Of The Boat
March 3, 2014
The weekend weather was perfect for outdoor activities…including running catfish lines up the Escambia River with the Captain of the Boat “Rowdy” at helm near the Molino boat ramp. Photo by Crista Pope for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rachel Grammer Named District 1 Miss FFA Sweetheart
March 2, 2014
Rachel Grammer of the Tate High School FFA was named the District 1 Miss FFA Sweetheart Saturday at Northview High School. First runner-up was Patra Miller from the Tate High FFA, and second runner-up was Victoria Kent of the Tate High FFA.
A dozen young ladies from the Tate, Northview, Ernest Ward and Bethlehem FFA chapters took part in the second annual pageant.
Pictured top: (L-R) Second Runner-up Victoria Kent, District 1 Miss FFA Sweetheart Rachel Grammer, First Runner-up Patra Miller, all of the Tate High School FFA Chapter. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Branden Penegar Memorial Car Show Held In Gonzalez
March 2, 2014
The Branden Penegar Memorial Car Show was held Saturday at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church on Pauline Street in Cantonment. Penegar, the “Gentle Giant” was a 2011 graduate of Tate High School, an assistant coach for the freshman Aggies’ football program and varsity tennis team, and a member of the Tate High School Student Hall of Fame. He passed away in March 2013 at the age of 20.
Penegar was a active member of the Gonzalez United Methodist Church and youth program.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Locals Compete In Horse Show
March 2, 2014
Several local girls took part in a Coastal Jumper Horse Show at the Escambia County Equestrian Center, with Trinity Farms bringing home more than 120 ribbons including grand champions.
Among the local competitors and winners were: Morgan Mickel, Lexy Small, Tessa Walsingham, Molly Arnold, Trinity Smith, Rebecca Fulton, Aubrey DePury, Lindsey Walden, Sarah Birdsong, Ruth Gatewood, and Brystal Rhodes.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Ernest Ward Holds Womanless Beauty Pageant
March 1, 2014
Chase Gifford was named Junior Mr. Miss Ernest Ward Middle School in a womanless beauty pageant Friday night. First runner-up was Levi Wagner, second runner-up was Health Sheldt and third runner-up was Aaron Dees. Wagner also received the audience vote People’s Choice Award.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Proceeds from the just-for-fun event, sponsored by the school’s cheerleaders, will be used to replace badly worn carpeting on steps leading to the school’s stage.
Pictured top: Junior Mr. Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Chase Gifford. Pictured inset: Levi Wagner, first runner-up and People’s Choice award winner won a tube of toothpaste as the Best Smile Award. Pictured below: Second runner up Heath Sheldt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jana Pavlus Named Escambia Teacher Of The Year
February 28, 2014
Jana Pavlus of Woodham Middle School was named the Escambia County’s Teacher of the Year Thursday night during the 29th Annual Golden Apple Awards Banquet. The banquet honored each of the Teachers of the Year from each school and program in the county.
Other finalists for the Escambia County Teacher of the Year were : Dawn Jackson, Beulah Elementary; Amanda Cravatt, Hellen Caro Elementary; Pamela Cebula, N.B. Cook Elementary; and Katie Strength, R.C. Lipscomb Elementary.
The 60 Teachers of the Year from across the county were:
- Alternative Education - Aaron Dubreuil
- Jim Allen Elementary - Wynell Gainey
- Jim C. Bailey Middle - Tracey Burnett
- Bellview Elementary - Trudy Laird
- Bellview Middle - Suzanne Edington
- Beulah Academy of Science - Kristina Angus
- Beulah Elementary - Dawn Jackson
- Blue Angels Elementary - Jamie Dufurrena
- Bratt Elementary - Sherri Carter
- Brentwood Elementary - Alison Brantley
- Brown-Barge Middle - Lalla Pierce
- Byrneville Elementary - Amanda Dawson
- Camelot Academy - Ashley Phillips
- Hellen Caro Elementary - Amanda Cravatt
- N.B. Cook Elementary - Pamela Cebula
- Cordova Park Elementary - Amanda Lagergren
- Ensley Elementary - Julie Jones
- Escambia Charter - Matthew Alexander
- Escambia High - Trish Andrews
- Escambia Westgate - Ashley McCombs
- Ferry Pass Elementary - John Blackwelder
- Ferry Pass Middle - Maureen Humphrey
- Global Learning Academy - Janet Kay Spencer
- Holm Elementary - Lynette Chandler
- Lakeview School - Sherry King
- Lincoln Park Elementary - LaTris Sykes
- R.C. Lipscomb Elementary - Katie Strength
- Longleaf Elementary - Stella Owens
- McArthur Elementary - Lynn Powell
- McMillan Pre-K - Renee Khatena
- Molino Park Elementary - Rebecca Hatch
- Montclair Elementary School - Edelsa Chalanczuk
- Myrtle Grove Elementary - Sharon Bradley
- Navy Point Elementary - Jennifer Griffiths
- Newpoint Academy - Alisa Wilson
- Newpoint Pensacola - Tanya Pope
- Northview High - Terri Jernigan
- Oakcrest Elementary - Angela Nicks
- PATS Center - Allison Rhodes
- Pensacola High - Melissa Marsh
- Pine Forest High - Charles Cather
- Pine Meadow Elementary - Marisa Vulcano
- Pleasant Grove Elementary - Alice Downs
- Ransom Middle - Holly Kendrick
- Scenic Heights Elementary - Lacy Zimmerman
- O.J.Semmes Elementary - Tamiko Womack
- Sherwood Elementary - Georgia Seitz
- George Stone Technical Center - Craig Spoke
- A.K. Suter Elementary - Lauren Farmer
- J.M. Tate High - Brian Caldwell
- Title 1 - Rayeko McCartan
- Ernest Ward Middle - Kathleen C. Ellis
- Warrington Elementary - Rachael Farmer
- Warrington Middle - Tourischeva Knecole Lambert
- Booker T. Washington High - Jade Brown
- C.A. Weis Elementary - Nan Nevels
- West Florida High - Cathy Organt
- West Pensacola Elementary - Majorca McQueen
- Woodham Middle - Jana Pavlus
- Workman Middle - Leslie Cuyuch