Camellia Japonica Help

ElliedaffernwW-S_oFb · May 2023

Hi,

We recently purchased a mature Camellia Japonica standard tree (appx 2.5m tall).

We planted it in our garden two weeks ago and I have some concerns for the planting location now. The area of ground that it is planted in seems to be waterlogged - I believe this is a problem with drainage due to clay soil.

When we planted we back filled the soil with ericaceous compost so the immediate soil surrounding the root ball isn't clay (hence the colour difference, it has also been fed.

We've aerated the ground slightly with a garden fork which has improved the area a little, but the camellia is losing a handful of flowers daily and I'm concerned that it is going to die.

Does anyone have any advice please?

Photos attached for reference, thank you.

ElliedaffernwW-S_oFb · May 2023

Any tips or thoughts welcome?

Do we need to replant the tree somewhere different?

Would digging a gravel track around the base of the tree help with drainage?

Will aerating the ground further be sufficient perhaps?

Fairygirl · May 2023

Do you mean the flowers dropping? There can be various reasons for that, and it's usually weather related, however - I think your site is the problem.
Yes - waterlogging isn't good at all. They need lots of water to establish, and to thrive, but they don't appreciate sitting in waterlogged soil long term. No plant does - even bog plants.
I wouldn't leave it there much longer. Get a large area - at least twice the volume of the root ball, properly prepped with loads of organic matter added, then move it. You could add loads of grit or pea gravel too, to help in the short term . If that isn't possible just now, it would be better left in the pot it came in for a while until you can do it.
A raised bed with a better soil mix would also be a solution.

ElliedaffernwW-S_oFb · May 2023

@Fairygirl thanks for your response!

Do you have any recommendations for how to remove the tree to relocate? Would it be as simple as to gently remove the soil and take out the root ball?

We are thinking of creating a raised bed in the area to give the tree the best chance at settling in. Would ericaceous compost mix with some grit and pea gravel be suitable, or should we add something else to the mix?

Thanks again for your thoughts, they're much appreciated.

Fairygirl · May 2023

If it's only been there for such a short time, it won't be hard to dig out, although you'll need a couple of pairs of hands because of the size. It takes many months for shrubs and trees of any kind to establish, so it's not as if there will be any new growth below soil level

I'd use mostly soil for your raised bed, because you need that for long term planting - compost will break down too rapidly, and isn't hefty enough. Mixing your compost and grit with that will give you a good base for your plant.
You'll need quite a bit depending on the height you make the bed. For example, a bed of around a yard square, and about a foot in height, will need approx 1/3 of a bulk bag of mix. I'd make it something like that sort of size to ensure it has a good chance of doing well, and with adequate drainage. Whether you buy the standard bags available, or get a bulk bag will be down to budget and whether you can use the rest elsewhere.

What you make it with is down to your preferences and budget. Many people use sleepers, some will use brick or rendered block, or you can use good quality timber. If you use timber, it's worth lining it with plastic to help preserve the timber, and also to retain moisture better in drier spells, as raised beds, like containers, dry out quicker. The foliage will prevent rain getting in too, although that's less of a problem with a standard.

Make sure you replant at the same level, and try and get that at around a couple of inches at the very most, from the top edge of the bed. The soil mix will sink a bit over time, and you would need to top up now and again anyway with fresh soil/compost. If you plant too low, you can't just add extra as it will cover the trunk, which isn't good for it. A final layer of bark is also ideal as a mulch, and for aesthetics, and that will also add to the soil mix as it breaks down.
Hope that all makes sense !

Camellia Japonica Help

Posts