Gibbing camellias has become a popular practice in the southeast. Camellia flower buds can be forced to bloom early and larger by the application of gibberellic acid in late summer or early fall. This breaks bud dormancy. The practice has become common because of early flower shows featuring camellias. The earliest show in South Carolina is at the S.C. State Fair, which takes place on October 17.

A solution of gibberellic acid is applied to terminal individual flower buds 30 to 90 days before exhibition. The difference in time depends on a variety of factors, which can include weather, whether a plant is an early or late bloomer, general condition of the plant, and the size of the bud gibbed. No distinction is made between gibbed and ungibbed flowers in the show.

The camellia show will be held in the Ellison Building at the State Fairgrounds. Entries will be received between the hours of 8:30 am and 10:30 am. Participants may enter through Gate 11 on Bluff Road. Membership in the camellia society is not required to enter.

The camellia show at the state fair will be open from noon on Friday, October 17 and remain open during fair hours on Saturday, October 18.

Gibbing for the State Fair should begin now and continue into mid- September, although gibbing for other shows can continue into November. Gibberellic acid can be obtained from the American Camellia Society (www.camellias-acs.org ) and instructions for gibbing can be found under camellia culture.

Locally, gibberellic acid with instructions can be had from the Mid Carolina Camellia Society by contacting Mrs.Irma Raines, 1611 Atlantic Drive, Columbia, S.C. 29210 (803/772-6962).

Membership in the Mid Carolina Camellia Society is $10.00.