Camelias

[porkchop]

I planted a small camelia over a year ago and it has not grown even a tiny bit. The leaves are still green but it looks as if it is just stuck in the ground and has no intention of growing. Is it time to dig it up. ? Thanks.

[woofgang]

In my experience it will sit there for two years and the third year it will take off like a rocket. make sure the soil is acid, well drained, humus rich and kept damp. feed with a food for acid loving plants and be patient. They need especial watering during july to august as that's when the buds form.

[porkchop]

thanks woofgang, i will reprieve it for another year and a half and then have another look , it does look very healthy even after the wretched winter.

[Barmaid]

I had that problem - I found sticking some iron filings in the pot with it and watering it only with rainwater helped it to go mad. I have two which are in flower at present and looking rather lovely!

[boxtops]

Ours took a while to get going - we feed it after flowering with special camellia granules and it seems to help keep the leaves dark and shiny and the flowers coming. Good luck with yours.

[SlackAlice]

I had a Camelia bought for me by my some time ago, it was only a rooted cutting a few inches high. Like yours it just would not grow!! For many years it was 'moved' around the garden to try and find it a good place.
Finally, we found a good place, almost completely opposite to it's 'best' requirements.
It's now about 8ft tall and 6ft wide and when in bloom is totally covered in flowers and is one of my prized shrubs.

Morale? Don't give up!!

[carlton23]

I hope you don`t have it too close to a wall and planted in a position where it will catch a frost and early morning sun. The reason I mention a wall is because of the lime content in walls which camellias hate.

[gleno1]

After three years of no flowers appearing I moved mine in a very sunny spot and it is abundant with beautiful blooms.