When is the optimum time to cut this plant back to achieve back-budding, or new wood breaking from old; and

do the new leaves usually dangle, looking as if they're in need of watering????

I acquired two plants of this Camellia from a 'bargain bin' and a grumpy nursery owner, so I thought it would be safer to ask here!

Both plants are spindly but making new growth from bare older wood. I noticed others in the nursery sprouting very thin growth from about two inches up from soil level. All plants are probably hungry and are in old planting medium.

I don't mind losing next season's flowers. There were none this season from the look of the plants...