How do you tend a Camelia.?

I have had a camelia for 5 years and it has two buds(hurrah) but it disappears each year and I don,t know how to grow it into a large bush. help please!

How do you tend a Camelia.?
Hey Lorraine,





In general, cultural practices for growing camellias are similar to those for rhododendrons, azaleas, and hollies. Careful planting is the single most crucial factor in ensuring success. In northerly areas, where the plants will be near the limit of their cold tolerance, spring planting is best. The site should afford protection in winter from strong winds and morning sun. When planting, add a generous amount of humus such as compost, leaf mold, or coarse peat to the soil. Be careful not to plant too deeply; as with azaleas and rhododendrons, the base of the stem should be slightly higher than the surrounding soil.


A two- to four-inch layer of mulch is important to help the soil retain moisture and to minimize alternate freezing and thawing in winter. During its first season, water a new plant thorougly once a week unless there has been at least one inch of rain. If the winter is a dry one, watering may also be necessary during mild spells.





Camellias are not heavy feeders, so fertilizer should be used sparingly. An acidic fertilizer may be applied in early spring and followed by a second light application in June.





Plants may be pruned to remove weak or dead branches, to control size or leggy growth, or to renew the vigor of older plants. Heavy pruning is best done in spring, before the plants have begun to produce new growth.
Reply:Camellias require acid(ericacious) soil otherwises the leaves turn jaundice colour and you get few flowers.


If the leaves are green,than not enough water in August/Sept for the plant to form next years buds


If the leaves are green,and the site is wet than the plant is partially blind(deep red is common problem)Get another plant


There are dozens of different camellias some only grow to 2ft high,others to 20ft by 20ft,some are bushy and compact,others are spindley


You have a smaller species,they are tough,and cope with frost,but detest cold winds
Reply:This plant enoys the south sun and love to be pampered with lots of attention and food. I like to feed my Camelia banna peels and lots of bone meal about twice a year and this past winter around Feburary and March it was covered with blooms and we really enjoyed it. Good luck with your plant and enjoy it for years to come.
Reply:Keep it warm in the winter, against a house with a fleece jacket or in a greenhouse, in the summer nice sunny area. Feed with a good Bone and Fish mixture in the summer and autumn, water but not too much, they seem to prefer damp to wet. We have 2 in pots in our garden and they seem to be Ok nice lots of flowers on.
Reply:Camellias prefer a semi shady location such as a sheltered area beneath tall trees. The soil should be loose textured, well drained and slightly acid. They are slow to mature - have patience.





See source for more info
Reply:They love plenty of peat...They hate the morning sun.

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