Question
hello,
      i have recently planted a camellia sasanqua hedge and have noticed some sort of scale or moss growing on the stems and trunk of my camellia's. One of the plants i aquired was advanced and has more moss on it than the others, just wondering if it has transferred from this plant or from another source? any feed back would be greatle appreciated.

Answer
Dear Jonathan, You sound like you have both scale and moss growing on your sasanqua hedge.  These were probably on the plants when you brought them home from the nursery, but they could also be pests that were in your landscape but hadn't affected anything yet.  The scale is best controlled with a lightweight horticultural oil (which you should be able to find in a gardening center).  You could also use dormant oil since it is winter for you.  Spray the entire hedge, making sure to coat the underside of the leaves and the stems.  Spray the plant until it is dripping.  You will need to spray several times about a week apart to kill all the scale. You will know that the scale is dead when a moderate stream of water will dislodge the scale from the plant.  Ordinary insecticides don't work on scale since the hard covering protects them from the chemical effects, but the oil will smother them.  The oil should also help with the moss.  I would probably first remove as much as I could from the plants and then apply the spray.  Removing the moss by hand is time consuming but it is the most effective method.  A follow up spray with the oil will help keep the moss away as well as treat the scale.  I hope this information helps, but write back if you have further questions.  Good luck, Melissa