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Camellia advice please

TheveggardenerTheveggardener Posts: 1,057
in Problem solving
Over the past year I have change the Ericaceous soil in my three Camellia pots given them Epsom Salts and fed them, watered well throughout the hot weather. The leaves still are turning yellow they are in large tubs 50cm. I changed the soil as I was sure it was vine weevil because of the cut marks in the leaves but found nothing in the soil. The leaves at the bottom under the canopy have started to go back to their normal green. Any advice please as I would hate to lose them.


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  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    Is the camellia in full sun all day ? some shade may help . And what water are you using tap water ? 
  • TheveggardenerTheveggardener Posts: 1,057
    It's in the sun first thing the from between 10 & 11 am it's in dappled shade, the last one however is in the sun most of the day but as I have the gazebo up in that area most of the summer I suppose you could say it's in the shade. I have 7 water butts and use that mainly for line hating plants like the Camellia's. When I took them out of the old compost to check I rinsed the roots and removed almost all of the compost the put it in a butt of water while I got the pot washed and added the fresh compost. If there were any Vine Weevils I don't know where they were hiding.
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    Bit stumped on what else to recommend other than giving regular feeds of Iron sulphate every 4 weeks it should help with the yellowing leaves. Last time I potted up my blueberry I mixed up John innes no3 with the ericaceous compost, might be worth thinking about next time you pot up , ericaceous compsot has the same/similar feed time of multi purpose compost of 4-6 weeks I believe. 
  • TheveggardenerTheveggardener Posts: 1,057

    Thanks Perki, I don't like using chemicals in my garden at all but I have just bought something that is meant to get rid of vine weevils so I'll water that in just incase I've missed any. I have some Iron sulphate so will give them some of that. I was going to three garden centres today but we have heavy rain so will go tomorrow and I cut a branch off and see what they think. Thanks again for you reply and advice.
  • TheveggardenerTheveggardener Posts: 1,057
    Perki, Took some of the worst effected leaves from my Camellia with me to the garden centres this morning and showed them. They said it's not vine weevil but looks more like caterpillars or possibly slugs. If the rain ever stops I'll have a look under the leaves and see if there are any there or eggs. Thought you might be interested as we were both stumped.
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    With the cut marks around the leaves I would say its more likely vine weevil, I've never seen a slug go remotely near a Camellia leaf.  
  • TheveggardenerTheveggardener Posts: 1,057
    Well I'm with you on that Perki but that's what two of the three Garden centres. I've just ordered more nematode and bought a bigger pot for it. I'll re pot it after cleaning around all the roots again and if that doesn't work I'm lost. I thought I'd let you know what was said by the GC's. I'm a bit worried about the other two so once the weather is dry I'll tip them out and look in the soil. They said to feed with and ericaceous feed the only one I know is Miracle Grown and I'm not sure it's that good.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Apart from using ericaceous compost, make the rest up (2/3) with a loam based compost. John Innes No 2 or 3. Drainage is important too, so make sure you line the base with some stones or similar and stand the pot on feet, especially in the winter months. I too think it's Vine Weevil damage and unlikely to be slugs.
  • TheveggardenerTheveggardener Posts: 1,057
    I agree with you and Perki but they said no. I always add plenty of drainage to the pots, broken crocks and shingle and all my pots are either on pot feet or bricks. I get some JI No 2 03 three in the morning and do the mix, I have been using just the Ericaceous compost on it's own. They did think adding a bucket of water per day in the heat last summer wasn't enough. Thanks for the advice. 
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Also, I notice some burn marks on the leaves. This could be from standing the pot under some over hanging shrubs/trees or some sort of liquid was left on the leaves and the sun was out, and causing a slight marking. Always water from below and never above. If you use any type of foliar spray, only use on a dull day. A bucket a day is enough, but always water in evenings or early morning to get the best out of the watering. 
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