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Camellias

Kez1980Kez1980 Posts: 71
in Plants
Hi everyone I need some advice on planting a camellia I know they like ericaceous compost but the area I want to plant is standard soil,so would it be ok to plant it if I fill the planting hole with the ericaceous compost? also after planting how often will I need to top up the ericaceous compost to keep the camellia going?

Posts

  • YviestevieYviestevie Posts: 7,066
    I grow camelias in neutral ph soil.  I dug in a load of ericaceous compost when I planted  and occasionally give a feed of a fertilizer specifically for lime haters which you can pick up at any garden centre.  Another tip is do not plant them where they get the morning sun as the buds drop off if they thaw out too quickly after a frost.
    Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands
  • UpNorthUpNorth Posts: 376
    i planted a camelia without any improver ( a soil that holds moisture quite well).  we have fair grounds to suspect an acidic soil.  i've never tested it.    

    if you also have growing heathers, pieris, azalea/rhododendron, blue flowered hydrangea, then you may well have acidic soil.


  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653
    edited April 2018
    Good to know for future reference the pH of your soil in different parts of the garden.

    In addition to other folks suggestions, they aren't over keen on windy areas.
  • JeanRJeanR Posts: 16
    My soil is neutral and I have no problems growing my camelias.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    I've found Camellias fairly tolerant ; dryness is their worst enemy . Should chlorosis set in , they can be treated with Sequestrene , readily available .
    A nice fairly open but moist neutral or slightly acidic soil would be fine .
    One more point , they appreciate dappled shade .
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