camelia problem

[giner puddin]

My camelia is in large pot sunk into the garden. Has been ok, not magnificent for about 6 years. This year I remembered to keep it watered (not waterlogged) and fed. Its leaves are glossy and green but they are falling off at an alarming rate, whilst still glossy and green.. Now only about 40% left on the plant. Buds also dropping - turning brown first.
Any ideas. Should I dig it up - fast?
Louise

[logman]

My first thoughts were that your plant may be pot bound, if its been in that same pot for six years, roots tend to spirel round and round searching for a way out. You could try digging it out and gently teasing out the roots and give it a good watering and after a week or two some slow release fertiliser and hope that dose the trick. I also wondered if it could be frost damage (have any blooms been scorched) or maybe wind blast, from those cold N/E winds of late.

[giner puddin]

Thank you logman. I shall dig it up tomorrow and check the roots. There are no blooms at all. One or two buds which have turned/are turning brown and falling off .

[giner puddin]

An update on my camelia: I have dug it up, pruned roots and top, repotted in fresh ericaceous compost, watered well. On close inspection nearly all leaves have dropped off BUT I see tiny buds appearing and am hopeful . On looking at the roots they seem to have been water logged at some time and so have put in more drainage holes and crocks at the bottom of the pot.
Fingers crossed as it was my mothers camelia and I inherited it when she died in l998.
Louise