Poorly camellia?

Andy Leeds · June 2017

Camellia vernalis Yuletide not looking too happy as per pics - any thoughts on reasons why and how to resolve?

Was planted last year (spring) and although didnt flower I wasn't overly worried as assumed it was just settling in.

On a west facing wall planted in lots of ericaceous compost.

Borderline · June 2017

There maybe two things going on, it's either leaf blight or some kind of scorching. When you say you put in loads of ericaceous compost, are you doing this because it is planted into soil that is not so acidic? The whole bush looks very yellow and seems to be suffering from its growing conditions.

Have you watered this plant when there had been in dry spells? Many shrubs in their first year need extra watering to help with flower formation for the following year, and for a shrub this size, there has been no buds, this leads me to think it's been in drough conditions previously.

I would recommend pruning off all the affected leaves and branches. I know this is quite servere, but there could be fungal growth that will spread further if you don't prune. Also remove all leaves that have dropped onto the soil areas.

The plant then needs consistent feeding and watering if it's very dry throughout summer. Try to collect rain water as it's better for this shrub. You may need to treat the soil with chelated iron for now to see what happens to the leaves, as it looks quite yellow from the picutures. For longterm, if the soil is above 6 in PH, it's not worth growing this plant in the ground. Consider digging it up and growing from a large pot.

Andy Leeds · June 2017

Thanks for the reply.

The soil is slightly acidic but I put ericaceous compost in anyway. I do water with rainwater but maybe not enough... Ironically I did give it a sequestered iron feed with seaweed a couple of months ago, and also have it a spray with Epsom salts a month ago.

I think I'll probably try the prone back approach, thanks.

Poorly camellia?

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