Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Can i have your support please!!!, 1 by ardesia

ardesia wrote:
After growing camellias for more than 40 years in many different homes as we moved around I have a bit of experience in buying camellias and can tell you that the ones sold in the big box stores are not the healthiest plants to begin with and are more than likely mislabeled. If you want quality, and camellias live forever remember, buy from local growers or one of the better camellia nurseries. Camellia Forest is a good one I have used but there are many others advertised in the American Camellia Society literature.

http://camforest.com/
http://www.camellias-acs.com/

Some of the best and least expensive camellias are available from those local growers like the man you mention that air layers. I would bet he also sells young plants. Does your Dept. of Agriculture publish a Market Bulletin? Most states have this publication where things like farm equipment and "home grown" plants are offered for sale. I have found a number of local growers through the SC Market Bulletin.

Recently I toured the garden of a 93 year old gentleman who grows over 300 varieties of camellias. He still takes care of the garden and propagates the new plants by himself. Some of his camellias were as large as trees with enormous trunks. This one was labeled 'Valley R. Knudson'.