Most of mine are doing very well, but I notice a few having bronzy leaves with spots. I am a huge rose person, and fungus is my first inclination. They are all in the same area with the same moisture for the most part, so I suspect that certain varieties may have disease issues?

Any advice is appreciated. I am prepared to spray or change routines... no problem. Does my problem sound familiar to anyone?

Oh, there may have been cold-hardiness issues; some of the varieties are for z8, which we usually are.

The problem seems to have worsened during winter. These are 3 and 5 gallon plants and do seem vigorous.

Out of about 30, 3 have odd leaf problems. Then Kramer's red has pale green leaves, but from reading I think I need to check his pH/iron.

The problem spots have an ashy-colored border, if that helps narrow my problem down.

I have not yet fertilized them except for topdressing with kitchen compost, so I'm also reading up on what to give them. Hollytone sounds good, eh?

Thanks for any advice... I know total beginner posts can be so hard to answer because there is so much to know!

Symptoms such as die-back, chlorosis, etc. can all be induced by container culture and may not have anything to do with pathogens, for example. My opinion, and it is not what you wish to hear, is that you locate your camellia in suitable locations, plant them according to proper (up-to-date) planting methods, and see if the new growth doesn't appear healthy and happy.

I have been trying to read up now, and the spots look like I may have scale, though [not to disagree; the pics just look very like mine]? Would it hurt to use a horticultural oil if it is just pot culture and not scale? Are there blaring things about scale that I surely would've noticed?

I'm just lost, really, because I am not entirely clear on what could cause what at this point, and when to do what.

I'll get them in the ground and watch them further, then. They make my heart jump to see, so that's not a bad thing to hear at all :)

Scale insects are pretty tricky. The most common culprit on Camellias is the Tea Scale, which can usually be found underneath the leaves. Horticultural oil is helpful in controlling tea scale, but I'd not like to see you use it if scale is not what you have. (ID is very important.) Also, horticultural oil should not be applied to swollen buds or flowers.

Next 2 are a different plant:

Sorry the pics aren't great.

Thank you for the help!

Perhaps there is a Camellia society near you, or some expert resource. Call your extension office, too. Though they may not have anyone on staff who can tell you what it is, they might have the ability to 1) send digital images to a plant pathologist at the parent university or, 2) send fresh tissue samples to the parent university for culture.

Sorry that I can't be of more help.

birdinthepalm, thanks for mentioning the mites. I'll get a glass and look them up. We have spider mites that can hurt a rose in a hurry, so I bet it is important to be familiar with them in camellias a well.