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Planting Camelias
dannyjlowe
Posts: 16
Hi all,
Have just picked up a Camelia in my local garden centre for a silly price in the reduced section
MIL has an absolute beauty in her garden which gave me the inspiration.
Quick Google suggests they don't like being planted until Autumn.
Can I get it in the ground now or is it best to pot it up in a nice roomy pot and plant it in Autumn?
Have just picked up a Camelia in my local garden centre for a silly price in the reduced section
MIL has an absolute beauty in her garden which gave me the inspiration.
Quick Google suggests they don't like being planted until Autumn.
Can I get it in the ground now or is it best to pot it up in a nice roomy pot and plant it in Autumn?
0
Posts
@Nanny Beach
so afternoon sun better than morning sun?
Dappled shade seems to be the advice. Not early morning sun when the leaves have dew on them. Not midday/afternoon sun when it's very hot. Reading around the internet and one gets the impression these are mighty fussy plants, but they can't be that much hard work!
I've a couple that need plating, so I'm watching this thread.
Ours are in containers and didn't really have much shelter from the icy winds and frosts, so that has damaged some of the buds. The containers probably got a bit dry over Winter too. I've since put a tray under and watered well, they are pretty heavy now. We are feeding them Rhodo./Azealia/Camelia feed once per week or so.
When planting, advice seems to be not to dig the hole deeper than the plant is, so it should be level with the surface with no additional compost underneath the rootball/'puck'. Also, ensure that it's ericaceous compost you mix in with the soil when planting, as these are acid lovers. Water with collected rain water, tap water is usually too alkaline - although better than no water at all, it's best to go acid. Mulching with bark and/or ericaceous compost/leaf mould seems to be preferable, not a gravel mulch (which is what they'll be getting, and having to make do with in our garden!). Keep roots moist, but not waterlogged, so shaded/mulched is good practice.
£4, I say a bargain!
Williamsii are supposed to be a bit hardier than some variants, or so I am to believe.
That pot is quite small so you can probably get away with repotting up to a larger size with ericaceous compost. I think you are still in/haven't got to the window to repot(???)