When is the best time to trim a camelia?

Always after flowering. Camellia does not flower on new season wood - so to ensure that you get flowers again the season after pruning, you need to get the pruning done in time to allow for the new growth after pruning to mature sufficiently for flower bud to form in the leaf axils.





Prune back ranging from pinching out tips up to about 1/3 of the length of the branches taking into consideration the shape of the plant and if you want the overall shape to be higher or rounder or if it is part of an informal shrub border - to maintain it's informal character.





A harder pruning than 1/3 of its size will potentially result in no flowers the following season.





With young plants (planted this past season OR that is less than 1meter in height OR has less than 3 good quality main upright and generally upwards growing branches) - just pinch out the flowers and the growing tips of each branch to encourage lateral growth.





Always mulch after pruning - 50mm thick with leaf mould to which at least 1/3 of pine tree leaf mould has been added OR use mulch/compost for Acid Loving plants. Pine Bark compost is also a good option. The Mulch should extend from the stem to the edge of the canopy circumference (drip zone) of the plant. Water with Iron Chelate if you notice some yellowing leaves or a generally lack lustre growth. [Products such as Sequestrene Plant Tonic would do]

When is the best time to trim a camelia?
Prune a camellia after it has finished blooming. Remove any dead branches, as well as any branches that point toward the center rather than toward the outside of the plant.
Reply:As usual,after flowering,If it is a sansanqua,you can go hard...But if it is a japonica,go a little softer..Beware of a sudden heat wave,especially in the case of the japonica.
Reply:Weak, damaged and unwanted branches can be trimmed off at the end of May.
Reply:Most flowering shrubs, and Camellia is one of them, are best pruned right after they have bloomed. If you have damaged or diseased branches on your shrub, you should prune them as needed. If you prune too much, you may limit or prevent next years flowers, so be judicious when you prune and only prune any branches that are a problem.





Remember to sterilize your pruners with a solution of bleach and water, when you do prune, to eliminate the spread of any disease or fungus as you prune. (To make up a sterilizing solution, mix 1 oz. of bleach with one gallon of water. You can place this solution in a smaller container, but clearly mark the container. Dispose of any excess solution when finished.) Just dip the tips of the pruners in the solution and whip dry with clean cloth or rag.. Dispose of any diseased branches with your other garden waste. Branches not diseased or infested with pests, may be composted.
Reply:I did mine last week! it's still alive so must be now

flower arrangements