Camellia not flowering
Question:
I have a Camellia shrub but it will not flower. I have had it at lease 6 years and looks healthy enough but no flowers. Can you advise what I can do?
Answer:
Camellias are lovely shrubs and a great splash of colour at this time of year. They are relatively easy to grow but do need certain conditions; check the list below to see if any changes need to be made:
- They are woodland plants and prefer a sheltered site with light shade
- They need free-draining conditions
- The soil should have plenty of organic matter incorporated in the soil; leafmould is best
- They need an acid soil so if yours is in the ground check the ph. If it isn’t acidic then lift and plant in a container using ericaceous compost and feed regularly with an ericaceous feed
- If possible water with rain water rather than tap water
- Feed with an acidic feed or use fish, blood and bone or a seaweed product.
- Don’t feed after July as this can lead to the buds dropping off
- Buds will begin forming in late summer so make sure you water well during dry spells; even if it rains it is not always enough for a large shrub particularly if it is in a container
- Mulch with a good 3-4in layer of bark or leaf mould to help conserve water
- Once your shrub begins to bud don’t be worried if a few fall off; this is normal
- Some cultivars are tender so will need protection during the winter; if you know which yours is I can find out if it is tender
- Severe frost can damage young buds so think about where yours is located; if it is exposed consider moving it to a more sheltered position
Similar Articles:
- Pest on Camellia - The flower buds on our Camellia are going brown and then falling off plant. Upon closer investigation we found very tiny whitish bugs in between the forming petals and the heart of the bud. Blog this! Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Buzz it up Share on Linkedin Share with Stumblers Tweet about it Tweet ...
- Eucalyptus Gunnii - Question:I have a Eucalyptus Gunnii tree approximately 7′ in height which was put in a large pot containing John Innes No. 3 Compost last August 2007. Some of the lower leaves were turning a rusty red when purchased, but I thought this would stop when it was repotted. But as it is growing new leaves, ...
- Hydrangeas not flowering - Question:Can you offer any advice as to why my medium size hydrangeas did not produce any flowers this year?Answer:Does the shrub look generally healthy? I assume the shrub has flowered before and has not been moved this year. If so then the most likely cause of the shrub not flowering is frost damage during the ...
