C. japonica ‘Walter Hazlewood’
By: Jim Powell, dip hort.
QUESTION 1: WHY DO CAMELLIAS BUDS FAIL TO OPEN?
ANSWER: The main reason is that japonicas don’t like sun and moisture on them at the same time the buds have formed. An easterly aspect with overnight dew fuses the petals together causing buds to ball (not open). If they are in a different aspect (not easterly) and they still don’t open, it is because there is too much moisture in the buds from over-watering. In this case the buds will become quite large and the petals very shiny. Camellias do not need a lot of watering during winter. Another reason could be ‘disease’; fungal usually in the form of grey mould or powdery mildew in the flower bud during the humidity of autumn. Treat with “Anti-rot” or use 1 part milk to 6 parts of water, sprayed once a fortnight from the middle of March onwards. There could also be another problem; insect attack in other words ‘bud mites’ and for this you can use “Confidore”.
QUESTION 2: DO CAMELLIAS NEED A LOT OF CARE?
ANSWER: All plants including camellias need a lot of care when they are young and small, but once they are mature they need very little attention.
QUESTION 3: WHAT DISEASES DO CAMELLIAS SUFFER FROM?
ANSWER: The two most common are: (1) root rot from poorly drained or over-watered soil, (2) die-back especially in hybrids from summer heat. You can treat root rot with “Fongarid” and improve the drainage. With die-back you can spray with “Anti-rot” and give the plant a good handful of dolomite in the spring time.
QUESTION 4: WHAT PESTS DO CAMELLIAS SUFFER FROM?
ANSWER: Healthy camellias are usually only attacked by two pest: (1) Tea scale which appears like small brown flakes of coconut on the leaf surface or underneath. This is a hard scale, so soapy water and oils will not kill them, you need a systemic insecticide such as “Confidor” or “Neem Oil” to control these pests. (2) Russet mite which starts from the centre rib of the leaf and works outwards, turning the leaf into a dull bronze colour. The same two insecticides will control these pests as well.
QUESTION 5: DO CAMELLIA ROOTS CAUSE PROBLEMS TO PATH-WAYS AND FENCES?
ANSWER: The answer is NO provided they have a reasonable depth of soil they can be planted in and no closer than 18 inches (45cm) to a fence or paved area.
QUESTION 6: ARE THEY SUITABLE FOR HEDGING?
ANSWER: YES, some camellias are suitable depending on the height of the hedge. Sasanqua camellias make the best hedges, provided they get three hours or more of direct sun during their growth season of late spring to summer. A label that suggests it will grow medium to tall and vigorous, means the average height (medium) 2 ½ – 3m or (tall) 3-5m. I would suggest that you select the camellia that will grow taller than you want, and then trim it to the height because selecting a camellia for the right height may take longer to grow. Plant approx. 1-1 ½ m apart depending on their mature height.
QUESTION 7: WHAT ARE THE BEST FERTILIZERS FOR CAMELLIAS?
ANSWER: It depends where they are grown, pot or garden. In the pot you can fertilize with any prill (bead) products such as “Osmocote” and “Nutircote” as well as the “Camellia & Azalea” food. The best general fertilizers you can use in both pot and garden twice a year are either “Organic Life” or “Dynamic Lifter” or similar products provided they are basically organic.
QUESTION 8: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WATER MY CAMELLIAS?
ANSWER: Once a camellia is established it should need very little watering, no more than what native plants need. Younger plants need double the watering and the same applied to camellias in pots. There is no basic rule to when to water as each garden is different so you need to know what your garden requires.
QUESTION 9: DO CAMELLIAS NEED PRUNING?
ANSWER: All plants need some pruning and camellias are no exception. The best time to prune is after they have flowered in the winter and mature trees can be cut back quite severely. New growth will follow soon after which can be trimmed to shape around Christmas time. Sasanqua camellias in a hedge can be pruned from August to no later than mid December if you want flowers for the next season, but you can prune them again in the following May to June.
QUESTION 10. CAMELLIAS GROWING IN POTS – HOW OFTEN DO I POT THEM?
ANSWER: Camellias planted in top grade potting mix should last for 2-3 years, feeding in Spring, Summer and Autumn. Once the camellia has reached a mature age and size it may be necessary to root-prune the old roots, but if you do this you must compensate by pruning the top of the plant and always pot in fresh potting mix and feed. The best time for repotting is during August to September.
