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Unhappy camelia

Grandad 99Grandad 99 Posts: 52
in Problem solving

Photo says it all - buds dropping of and discoloured leaves. 
It's 44 inches high in a 12 inch pot.

What do I need to do to cure it?  


Posts

  • ciaranmcgreneraciaranmcgrenera Posts: 313
    Assume you’ve got the basics covered- it’s in Ericaceous compost for example? Is the pot well drained? Is it in a Sheltered spot- they don’t like frost then morning sun or too cold of a wind.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Pot's far too small. They become huge shrubs and it's desperately trying to stay alive in a small pot. It can't take up enough moisture to successfully open any buds, when there probably isn't a huge amount of soil in there. It will hold onto foliage rather than try and open buds. 
    If your soil is unsuitable [ ie not neutral to acidic] ] then you'll need a far bigger container. It will need a soil based medium if it has to stay in it long term. Plenty of water regularly, some shade, especially from morning to mid day sun, and a mulch. Bark is ideal. Make sure it has copious amounts of water in late summer into autumn when the new buds are formed.

    Wind isn't a problem, and frosting of buds will certainly affect them if it's in an exposed site, or one where early sun hits them after frost. The main problem is the size of container. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    A 12” pot is far too small for a plant like that,  they need to grow big and spread their roots.
    If you can get it in the ground it would do much better,  they’re tough plants but not in a small pot. That’s assuming you have slightly acid soil.
    If not a very large pot is needed. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Grandad 99Grandad 99 Posts: 52
    Thanks everyone.  Off to the garden centre. . . . . 
  • Grandad 99Grandad 99 Posts: 52
    The space in front of the holly tree is south east of the camera position. It is sheltered  but doesn't get a lot of sun. Would it be suitable for the camellia?   
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    You'll need a to do a lot of soil improvement which may not be easy given the soil will be full of holly roots.   As long as it's not east facing, the bit where the duck is standing may be easier to work.

    You need to work in plenty of organic matter - garden compost or manure and some ericaceous potting compost - then make a square hole in which to plant your camellia.  Give it a really good soak then remove from the pot and tease out the roots at the side and below.  Plant it at the same depth as before and backfill with more improved soil containing organic matter as above.   Water it thoroughly and keep it watered.  Mulch with some ericaceous compost to retain moisture and provide nutrients.

    Make sure that from August on - every year - it gets a good drink in hot or dry spells as this is when it starts to form the flower buds.  If we get another dry spring, water it to help it keep its flower buds.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • luis_prluis_pr Posts: 123
    edited May 2021
    Hello, Grandad 99. Oh, wow. You still have unopened flower buds? Is the picture recent? If so, out of curiosity, what is name of this variety? It seems to have white flower buds.

    FYI: Transplanting could make the plant brown out the remaining flower buds if the roots are bothered much but... it is close to the start of summer so, I too would make the transplant as soon as you can.

    I suspect the roots may be bothered going from a 12 inch pot to being planted on the ground; that pot size is more typical of camellia bonsai instead.

    The large leaves suggest that it is a camellia japonica/reticulata/sinensis/hybrid and those have leaves that do not like to get hot afternoon sun in the summer. I try to give them shade by 10-11am in my hot summer months but you can probably give them more sun hours. Feel free to transplant a second time if the leaves get scorched. You will not be the only one who has had to tweak the planting location in the middle of summer.
  • Grandad 99Grandad 99 Posts: 52
    "Large pot" - how large. What diameter/depth should I get?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    For that size camellia, minimum 60cm deep and wide but that wouldn't last long.  It really would be better in the ground where its roots can spread as far as they need to get adequate moisture and nutrients.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • luis_prluis_pr Posts: 123
    edited May 2021
    I have not tried this suggestion before but does someone know how big (wide) are half wine barrels?
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