Camellia what's wrong?

[Ladygardener]

I bought a Camellia Japonica April Tryst at the start of feb and planted in in the top border. I noticed today that the leaves are loosing their beautiful green glossy sheen and have on them like a brown/burgundy hue. The border is clay with multipurpose compost so it's not heavy. I guess I should have used ericacous (sp) soil but will it die then? Does everybody use special compost for them?

[Jasmine]

Is your soil acid LG - do other folk round you grow camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas in the ground successfully?
We do have acid soil and any camellias I grow in pots are in ericaceous compost. I wonder if it would be happier in a pot if you don't have acid soil or if you dug out round it and fill the trench with ericaceous compost would that help? There is special feed for acid soil loving plants but I don't know if that would be enough if your soil isn't acid.
I have a feeling that the leaves of camellias etc... that aren't in acid soil go yellow so I'm also not sure acid soil/or lack of it is really the problem.
Sorry, just thinking out loud really. Maybe someone else will have a better idea.

[Tig]

I reckon there are a lot of 'ifs' with this problem LG

The plant could have been grown in the warm, and had a bit of a shock going outside ... perhaps frosted?

I don't think clay & mpc is the best medium to plant them in, I bought a bag of ericaceous compost from Wilkies (not expensive) and planted my new ones out as Jasmine suggests, biggish hole surrounded by what they like and firmed in well, then watered with a boost of ericaceous feed.

If you just get some appropriate food for them they may perk up - but I'm new to them too

x Tig

[Ladygardener]

Thank you for your advice Jasmine and Tig. My soil is not at all Acid It could well be a combination of several things you have mentioned.
I think what I need to do is dig it out and buy a bag of ericaceous compost and grow it in a pot. Should have done that in the first place, that will give it the best hope of survival.

[Jasmine]

They are very happy in pots LG - just need lots of watering in summer when they are making next years buds. I change the top layer of compost in their pots after they have flowered and give them a feed too.

[Chuckles]

I've got one in a pot LG and it does fine. Mine has 7 lovely fat buds on it, can't wait for them to burst open. They like a sheltered shadey spot apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=327

Hope yours sorts itself out

[Ladygardener]

Thanks very much for the very good link Chuckles. Into a pot it will go. At least I had the position right

[Auricula]

They are not happy in anything other than acid soil and in some shade ( morning sun, especially after frost can damage the flowers). They also sometimes suffer from sooty mould, which can be wiped off the leaves with warm water. My soil is on the acid side of neutral and I have to mulch my camellias every year with either peat or ericaceous compost and I feed them with ericaceous feed too. They are quite happy to be moved and it will be fine in a pot - you'll love it LG ...I can't wait to see photos of the flowers
I know I've just reiterated what the others have said, but thought that if you're anything like me, the more reassurance you get, the better ;D ;D

[Ladygardener]

Thanks Auricula, you do know me. ;D I'll buy the compost and feed at the weekend. I'm happy to know they don't mind being moved either.

[Jasmine]

Just to reassure you a bit more LG my Mum and Dad gave me a camellia for my 30th birthday and I was going to leave it in our old garden but OH dug it up and brought it with us. It is now taller than me and flourishing

[Ladygardener]

Is'nt that lovely Jasmine, OH sounds very caring. Perhaps then mine will be ok too. I had another look at mine today and the "sheen" is quite noticeable but more brownish looking. Beside where the leaves come out it appears to be growing tiny little buds.

[Jasmine]

Fingers crossed for your camellia LG I'm sure it will be very happy once it is in its pot.

[JennyWrenn]

Have had my camelia for two years - it had a couple flowers the first year and nothing since but has large buds that dont open. It is in clay soil and dappled shade

I never feed anything so think should do that

My neighbour never feeds anything either and her Magnolia tree is awesome

[Tig]

Gardeners World last week did a piece on camellias. They were gorgeous and I was amazed when they hacked a large sprawling one back to virtually nothing, and then showed one done last year which was covered in new growth! The expert said they need some sun to flower, just not East facing so that the buds burn when they defrost too quickly. Don't forget it needs an ericaceous feed Jen

x Tig

[Ladygardener]

I ment to post that I did buy the correct soil and replant my little Camellia. It seems to have settled in well and has had lots of rainwater to help it settle.