Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Camellia not looking good

HulkHulk Posts: 4
in Plants
Hello my camellia has not been looking good for a while now. I have applied feeds of sequestrene as per instructions but the leaves still look yellow and some have also fallen. The plant has produced flowers  but I am concerned that it may not be in a suitable position. Any advice will be great! Thank you

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Where to start....the biggest problem is certainly it's location. Camellias like some shade, and they also need decent soil and moisture. They can cope with sun if the soil doesn't dry out.
    If you can prune it back, water it thoroughly and then lift it and get it into a border somewhere - a bit of protection from the east is ideal as early sun on frosted buds is harmful - that will help. With a bit of luck, it will recover, but be prepared for it to struggle for a while anyway. 
    Prepare a good planting hole first with some decent compost and a general fertiliser like Blood, fish and bone, water thoroughly after planting. They also need plenty of water in late summer when the buds form for the following year. Contrary to what most people believe - they don't need acidic soil, they just don't like being in alkaline soil. Neutral to acidic is fine.
    If your soil is alkaline - you can grow it in a container, but it has to be a decent size, and you'll need a soil based compost to aid water retention, but also with good drainage. Each year that would need some attention - renewing the compost etc. A bark mulch is also beneficial - in pots or in the ground.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    In addition to Fairygirl's advice, you need to get the grass away from the roots and make sure you have not got it struggling in compacted and possibly waterlogged soil. They do need water, especially in the summer months to help form the flowers for next year, but they will not appreciate compacted and waterlogged soils. Feeding Iron will not show if your soil has not been sorted. 
Sign In or Register to comment.