Camellia Fertilizer Info: When And How To Fertilize Camellias
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Giving your camellia the right amount of fertilizer at the proper time makes the difference between a shrub that thrives and one that merely survives. Follow the camellia fertilizer tips and information in this article to grow the best camellias on the block.
When to Fertilize Camellias
The best time to fertilize camellias is in the spring after the flowers fade. Before fertilizing camellia plants, pick off all the faded flowers from the shrub and clean up fallen flowers from the ground around the shrub. This keeps the bush looking neat and prevents the formation of seeds. Seed formation drains energy from the plant and limits growth. Removing the flowers also helps control blight, which is a serious problem for camellias.
You can fertilize camellias again in midsummer. Fertilizing results in a flush of new growth that is sensitive to cold temperatures, so fertilize at least two months before the first fall frost to give the new growth time to harden. Otherwise, tender new twigs and branch tips may suffer frost damage.
How to Fertilize Camellias
Pull back the mulch before fertilizing camellia plants to help prevent runoff. Camellias don’t need much fertilizer, and too much nitrogen can burn the leaves and cause them to drop off. Spread 1/2 to 1 pound (227 g.) of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 slow release fertilizer over the root zone. Scratch the fertilizer into the top inch (2.5 cm.) or so of soil with a garden rake and then replace the mulch. Water deeply to help the fertilizer work its way into the soil.
You can also use special fertilizers formulated specifically for azalea and camellia feeding, but only on well established landscape plants and never on container plants. Camellias like a soil pH between 4.5 and 6.5, and azalea and camellia fertilizer acidifies the soil as it feeds the plant. Different brands of these special fertilizers vary in the percentage of nutrients, so read the label and follow the instructions for the brand you choose.
Pale, yellow leaves that drop from the plant are symptoms of insufficient fertilizer, as well as soil with a pH too high. Check the pH of the soil before assuming that your camellias need more fertilizer.
This article was last updated on 04/15/21
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Camellias (Camellia spp.) are one of the most versatile perennial plants that you can have in the garden. They can be used as a hedge, a feature tree, grown for their outstanding blooms, to make and create tea (C. sinensis) or just to add some colour to the garden on those dreary cooler days. The most common species of camellias are sasanquas and japonicas. Sasanquas are usually the first to flower, starting in autumn, followed by japonicas in late autumn to early spring.
Different camellia varieties will tolerate varying levels of sun exposure
Regular watering, don't let the soil dry out
Good drainage, prefers acidic soils
Suitable for cool to temperate climates
How to grow camellias in a garden
Camellia's come in a range of single to double blooms and a variety of colours ranging from deep pinks and reds through to pretty light pink, cream and white. Camellias with exposed stamens are adored by bees and camellia flowers can also attract birds.
Step 1
Choose a well drained spot in the garden that receives the amount of sun appropriate for your chosen variety. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. In areas with heavy or clay soil, to help improve soil structure and drainage, add gypsum and mix in well.
Step 2
Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots.
Step 3
Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes..
Step 4
Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.
Step 5
Water deeply, two to three times a week, depending on weather conditions.
Step 6
Feed every 6 weeks with Yates Thrive Natural Roses & Flowers Organic Based Pelletised Plant Food during the growing and flowering seasons to encourage healthy green leaf growth, strong root development and lots of beautiful flowers.
How to grow camellias in a pot
Step 1
Choose a pot at least 400mm wide. Position in a spot appropriate to the chosen variety and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.
Step 2
Add a small amount of pre-hydrated Yates Waterwise Water Storage Crystals to the mix. These will help hold extra moisture.
Step 3
Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots.
Step 4
Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
Step 5
Once planted, keep the plant well watered but don’t let the water sit in a saucer at the base of the pot.
Step 6
Feed each week with potassium rich Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food to encourage healthy green leaf growth, strong root development and lots of beautiful flowers.
Growing Tips
Camellias are remarkably drought tolerant but the plants will perform at their best if water stress is kept to a minimum.
Watch out for sunburn. Even the sun-hardiest camellia can burn on an extra-hot day, which can lead to leaf fungal problems. You can provide your plant with some additional protection during this period by applying Yates Droughtshield to the leaves.
Camellias make their major spurt of growth after flowering, so it’s best to feed when the last flowers are coming to an end.
Camellias have shallow root systems that can dry out readily during summer so, after fertilising, spread a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture.
Camellias, as well as azaleas and rhododendrons, prefer a slightly acidic soil (soil with a pH of less than 7). If your soil is alkaline, apply some Yates Soil Acidifier Liquid Sulfur to reduce the pH of the soil.If you’ve had problems with camellia bud balling in the past, where buds form but go brown and don’t open, an application of liquid magnesium might help. Yates Leaf Greener Magnesium Chelate is a concentrated source of fast acting magnesium that can help correct magnesium deficiency in camellias.
There are three types of Camellias that are grown and available in Australia:
Japonica Camellia (C. japonica)
- Aspect: Part shade/filtered sun
- Height: 4-5m
- Width: 4m
Japonicas have stunning single or double flowers borne above attractive glossy green foliage. Bring their beautiful blooms inside and float them a shallow bowl of water.
Sasanqua Camellia (C. sasanqua)
- Aspect: Full sun, with protection from the hot afternoon sun
- Height: 3-6m
- Width: 4m
While often used as a hedging plant, sasanquas can also be left to grow into small feature trees. Where space is an issue, consider dwarf forms or espaliering against a wall.
Tea Plant (C.sinesis)
- Aspect: Part shade/filtered sun
- Height: 1-2m
- Width: 1-2m
Grown for the leaf tips rather than the flowers, the new leaves and buds can be harvested and dried for tea (white, green and black). Tea plants can be grown into an attractive hedge or used as a screening plant.
Reticulata (C. reticulata)
- Aspect: Part shade/filtered sun
- Height: 3-5m
These plants are a real show stopper! Reticulatas are mainly grown for their large voluptuous flowers that appear from late winter to mid spring. Due to their open growth habit, they’re best grown as feature trees in the garden.
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