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

Camellia problem

bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
in Problem solving
My camellia is dropping its buds suddenly. I have 3 in pots and the other2 are fine. They have all been treated the same ,water feed everything. Does anyone know what’s happened and how I can put it right also some of the leaves are dropping and crispy at the edges .Don’t have the means to take a photo sorry .
«1

Posts

  • bullfinchbullfinch Posts: 692
    Ours have dropped some too. I always assumed it was a bit like the June drop when apple trees lose fruit that they can't support. Maybe someone else will have another idea?
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Yes it could be but only one of them is affected .Very odd .
  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 782
    Might be some reason this plant is more stressed than the others. If it was convenient I'd try pop the plant out of its pot to see if there is root damage or some other reason this one is getting more stressed than the others. Is the drainage hole in the container blocked and causing it to become waterlogged or could there be vine weevil grubs eating some of the roots?

    Happy gardening!
    https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableveg/videos
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    It could be that the plants went through an over-dry period, not enough to kill the plant immediately. Camellias need a huge amount of water during the summer, their main growing period. Now that we have had some rain and the plant is starting to regrow, it is shedding some of the damaged leaves. I would leave the plants alone for a few weeks because I think you may see new buds developing. It is normal for evergreen plants to shed leaves, often at weird times of the year, depending on what they are.
    You can try scratching the stems with your fingernail. If the tissue underneath the bark is still green or white the plant is still alive. Just give them time. You may also find the plants do not flower this year.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Thank you .I will do as you suggest .odd that it’s just the one plant when I have 3 and they are grouped together.Thank you for your ideas .
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Are they all the same variety? If not, one might be more sensitive to something (summer heat and dryness, watering with hard tap water etc) than others.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    No they are all the same variety ,just different colours .They’ve all been treated exactly the same way ……that’s my dilemma.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Different colours are different varieties..........
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Really ! I had no idea that was so .In that case my red one is the problem ,my white and my pink are fine .
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree with @Joyce Goldenlily. Once a pot dries out, it can also be very difficult to rehydrate the plant in it. The fact that you describe the leaves as crispy, suggests it's in too hot/sunny a site as well. Best with dappled shade, and many grow well in full shade.
    It's vital they get enough moisture in late summer, when the buds form. If a shrub/tree is stressed due to lack of moisture, they shed the bits that aren't necessary for survival - ie the buds/flowers.
    Camellias in pots need a lot of attention, because once they [the roots] start filling it, there's less soil, and rainwater doesn't get in easily either, because of the canopy of foliage. You have to check them regularly to make sure there's adequate soil and nutrition  :)
    Yes - if they're different colours, they're different varieties. They might be the same group -japonica, williamsii etc,  but the colour is down to individual  variety  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sign In or Register to comment.