Return to the Camellia Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
No blooms!
| | |
Posted by NWroselady z8Pac.NW (My Page) on Wed, May 19, 04 at 23:49
| I hope someone can help me. I have four camellias. Three are japonica and one is sinensis. One of the japonicas bloomed this year, and I almost missed it because it was completely swamped by a monstrous rosa roxburghii. The other two japonicas are planted in the partial shade of an apple and an alder tree, respectively. They look healthy but didn't flower in 2003 or 2004. They were in bud when I bought them as young plants in 2002. The camellia sinensis has never bloomed, and I've also had it three years. It's in more sun. The leaves are a sort of reddish color, look a little sunburned. This camellia is in more sun.
I've seen lots of gorgeous camellias here in zone 8 Pacific northwest. Large, healthy, and covered with blooms. What's wrong with mine? I can think of two possibilities. One, my soil is sandy and gravelly, and it's possible that during our dry summers the camellias under the trees aren't getting enough water. This would not be true of camellia sinensis, as it's in a border with my prize roses and has a soaker hose at it's feet. Two, I haven't been feeding them, so maybe that's a factor.
I'd really like to see your thoughts on this. Although camellias aren't my first love, it irks me that I can't get these to produce blooms. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: No blooms!
| | |
| While some would say that camellias really don't need an acid soil, I suspect that the one in the same bed with your prize roses does not have the proper soil or fertilizer to do well. If the roses do well, the camellias won't be at their best. Try feeding them with camellia-azalea fertilizer, but watch out for your roses. |
RE: No blooms!
| | |
| Actually, the only camellia that bloomed was the one planted too close to a large rose that has almost completely swamped it! The others, not close to roses at all, have not bloomed. I have very acid soil. Guess I'll try feeding them with rhodo fertilizer. |
RE: No blooms!
| | |
I think camellias like to be on the dry side while they
're ripening their new wood ,after that they seem to want to be a little moister when they begin to set bud. I have four camellias three of which bloom plentifully every year. One is a bit stunted and sparse of flower. I never give them any supplementary water. I think they key to your problem is too much water at certain times and not enough at others. |
RE: No blooms!
| | |
| To follow up my earlier posting, I think the plants should be moved to a sunnier spot. When is a good time for moving camellias? |
|
|
|
|
