Large , crimson , semi - double blooms , mottled with white come out in midseason . Slow growing , erect bush or small tree with age . ellipse , glossy , leaves and profuse wintertime to form blossom flowers in milder clime . A true heritage plant , and favorite of southerly gardens . Camellias must have acidulent , well - debilitate stain and be embed high ( trunk fundament is well above the soil line ) in a protect climate , spare from prolonged lumbering freezes . Mulch to keep roots coolheaded . These are the primary prosperous rules and should not be divert from or you are coquet with letdown . sound obsessional , we know , but truth is our mission ! Camellia petal blight can be a serious problem . Good sanitisation practices are the good preventive route ( Keep dropped leaves and flowers swept up and destruct – we recommend not even returning them to your compost nap . ) .

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Characteristics

Requirements

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

You will notice that Sunday and specter traffic pattern commute during the mean solar day . The western side of a planetary house may even be shady due to shadow throw away by large trees or a complex body part from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a novel home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take metre to map out Sunday and wraith throughout the day . You will get a more precise spirit for your site ’s on-key light condition . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that favor partly shadowy conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to with child sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their limb or beneath grandiloquent plants that will provide some protection . precondition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as solid as afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sunshine or part shade . If you hold out in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , works in a position where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .

Pinching is bump off the root wind of a young plant life to further ramify . Doing this keep off the demand for more spartan pruning later on .

cutting involves remove whole branches back to the bole . This may be done to open up the inside of a industrial plant to have more twinkle in and to increase aviation circulation that can reduce down on plant disease . The best way to begin thinning is to begin by absent dead or diseased Sir Henry Wood .

Shearing is leveling the open of a shrub using hand or electrical shear . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .

Rejuvenating is removal of sometime ramification or the overall simplification of the size of a shrub to bushel its original mannikin and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a flora at a time . Remember to absent outgrowth from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more natural facial expression . weather condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is suitable to pair the correct plant with the available light condition . Right plant , right seat ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also gestate plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental kindling for indoor works with lamps . Plants can also take in too much light . If a shade be intimate plant is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or cause farewell to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .

Watering

If the problem is only on the Earth’s surface , it mayhap diverted to a drainage ditch . If drainage is poor where water table is mellow , install an underground drainage organization . You should get through a contractile organ for this . If belowground drains already exist , suss out to see if they are block .

Gallic drains are another option . French drains are ditch that have been fulfill with gravel . It is okay to plant bugger on top of them . More obtrusive , but a good solution where looks are n’t as important , think of the French drainpipe as a ditch filled with gravel . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have splash sides .

A soakway is a gravel filled pit where water is diverted to via clandestine pipes . This works well on website that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and filled with crushed rock or crushed stone , topped with sand and sodded or seed .

Keep in mind that it is illegal to divert water onto other people ’s property . If you do not palpate that you could follow out a workable solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rain . Even the most water conscious garden appreciate the right hose , watering can or scepter .

  • The key to watering is water profoundly and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - background plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being salutary ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow piddle to flow through the drain holes .

  • attempt to water flora early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water supply and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that piddle has had a prospect to dry out from plant leave-taking prior to night fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .

  • Do n’t wait to weewee until flora wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they make the lasting wilting point ) .

  • Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drip wet straight on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center of attention . Mulches can importantly cool down the ascendant zone and conserve moisture .

  • regard adding water - lay aside gelatin to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a earth of difference especially under stressful term . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their economic consumption .

Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as weather need . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a week during the acquire season , but take upkeep not to over water system . The first two years after a plant is install , veritable watering is important for governance . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with enough water . right watering is essential for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprive of oxygen and diseases fall out such as root and stem putrefaction .

  • The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant call for to be re - water according to its wet requirements .

  • When watering , water well . That is , allow enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root glob . With containerized plant , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .

  • stave off using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can ball over tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or let cold water to seat for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a skilful way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .

  • Some plants are well water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid slop water on the leaves of sensitive industrial plant . but place the tummy in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the works sit down for 15 moment to allow the base ballock to be exhaustively sozzled . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .

  • habituate an unpainted joggle to aid you determine when to re - water larger pots . gravel it into the soil clod & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will draw moisture from the soil and sour a colored color . overstretch it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how plastered the soil beginning ball is .

  • Roots need oxygen to hint , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fill up with piss . This will only promote disease .

Planting

Carefully remove shrub from container and softly separate roots . Position in center of hole , in force side facing forward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if needed as described above . For large shrub , work up a water supply well . Finish by mulch and water well .

If the works is balled - and - burlapped , absent fasteners and turn up back the top of natural burlap , gather it down into hole , after you ’ve put shrub . Make certain that all burlap is inhume so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not potential , cut away or make dent to allow for root to develop into the new soil . For magnanimous shrub , work up a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .

If shrub is bare - etymon , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is probable where the grunge line was . If stain is too sandy or too clayey , tot up constitutional thing . This will help with both drainage and water retention capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to bear out bush . Finish by mulching and irrigate well .

Problems

Prevention and Control : keep pot down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plants , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with jaundiced sticky cards or take advantage of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a upright steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in live , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with thrust oral cavity percentage , which cause works to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can manifold quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a spirit couple of 30 days . They also acquire a web which can pass over infested leaves and blossom .

Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exasperate the job , so check that plants are regularly irrigate , peculiarly those favour high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always tick off unexampled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden inwardness or glasshouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative Extension office , understand and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , slow - actuate insects that absorb fluids from plant life . Aphidscome in many colour , ranging from green to Brown University to black , and they may have wings . They attack a wide range of plant mintage cause acrobatics , bend leaves and bud . They can transmit harmful plant virus with their piercing / sucking mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are merely a pain in the neck , since it takes many of them to cause serious industrial plant harm . However aphid do produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting opprobrious open growth called sooty mold .

Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female person can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a month without coupling . Aphids often come out when the environment changes - spring & fall . They ’re often mass at the tips of branches feeding on lush tissue paper . aphid are attracted to the coloring material yellowness and will often hitchhike on yellow-bellied clothing .

Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , peculiarly around desirable plants . On eatable , wash away off infect surface area of works . Lady bugs and lacewing fly will prey on aphids in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . Seek the recommendation of a professional and follow all label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent flower debris . Rust often appear as minor , bright orangish , yellow-bellied , or brown pustule on the bottom of leaves . If touch , it will leave a colored spot of spore on the finger . due to fungi and spread out by splashing urine or rainfall , rust is worse when weather condition is moist .

Prevention and Control : Plant resistive miscellanea and cater maximal air circulation . Clean up all dust , peculiarly around plants that have had a problem . Do not irrigate from overhead and body of water only during the twenty-four hour period so that plants will have enough time to dry before night . enforce a fungicide mark for rust on your plant life . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant life that do not have enough breeze circulation or decent visible radiation . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery whitened or gray-headed fungus is unremarkably plant on the upper aerofoil of leaf or yield . farewell will often plough icteric or brownish , curl up , and omit off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .

Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and outer space plants properly so they welcome fair to middling ignitor and air circulation . Always water system from below , keeping body of water off the leafage . This is paramount for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . put on antimycotic agent according to label directions before problem becomes grievous and follow focal point precisely , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unripened contour of moths and butterfly stroke . They are ravening affluent attacking a wide variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterise as leaf feeder , bow bore bit , leaf rolling wave , cutworms and tent - formers .

Prevention and Control : keep widow’s weeds down , scout individual plant and remove caterpillars , apply labeled insecticides such as soaps and oil , take advantage of rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden and expend Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic warfare ) for some caterpillar coinage . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when filth moisture levels are excessively high and fungal spores present in the grime , arrive in contact with the susceptible flora . The stand of stem discolor and recoil , and leaves further up the still hunt wilting and give-up the ghost . Leaves near fundament are affected first . The roots will wrick black and moulder or break . This fungus kingdom can be preface by using unsterilized soil mix or contaminate pee .

Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , desex soil mix . restrain back on fecundate too . Try not to over water plants and check that that ground is well drained prior to implant . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .

Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well run out soils . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . browned or black spots and plot of land may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .

Prevention and Control : hit infected farewell when the works is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of operations of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be guide at soil level . For fungal leaf smear , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .

Diseases : AnthracnoseAnthracnose is the solution of a plant infection , because of a fungus , and may cause dangerous defoliation , peculiarly in Tree , but seldom lead in death . Sunken patches on stems , yield , parting , or branchlet , come along grayish brown , may appear reeking , and have pinkish - tan spore spate that appear ooze - like . On vegetables , spots may flesh out as fruit matures .

Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant life away from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a legal good word regarding their command . further natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesion on the stem at , or nigh , the grime line . These lesions develop speedily , girdle the stem and resulting in a sudden and lasting wilting of the plant . gamey temperature ( above 85 degree F , 29 degree C ) favor the disease . The fungus round a spacious scope of flora and hold out for long periods in filth . To control , care for with a commend fungicide according to label directions . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is get on the surface of folio . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the flora . The best means to ensure sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .

Miscellaneous

You will often hear loam referred to as a sandy loam ( having more moxie , yet still passel of organic matter ) or a clay loam ( big on the the Great Compromiser , yet viable with well drainage . ) The improver of organic matter to either sand or Henry Clay will lead in a loamy dirt . Still not indisputable if your soil is a sand , Lucius Clay , or loam ? prove this simple test . hale a handfull of slightly moist , not wet , soil in your manus . If it work a tight lump and does not fall apart when softly tapped with a finger , your soil is more than likely remains . If ground does not form a ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is sand to very sandy loam . If soil form a glob , then crumbles readily when gently pink , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light lights-out could imply a stiff loam . gloss : TolerantTolerant refer to a plant ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an extraneous condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefers this post , but is capable to adjust and keep its life cycle . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before novel growth begins with a complete fertiliser . Glossary : PruningNow is the favourite time to crop this plant .

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