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Trimming Camellias

14 years ago

In my backyard there are 5 or 6 camellia bushes that have been here long before we moved here, I am estimating at least 15 years or so since we have lived here for ten. The are very unhealthy looking, straggly and wild, and I would like to cut them back since they haven't been bothered with in the 10 years we have lived here. My question is when and how should I trim them? I am seeing some very small buds on them now, and I don't want to kill them by cutting them back too much or too soon. Any advice would be Greatly appreciated.. thanks!

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spartacuslives
14 years ago
Wildmustng87, Sometimes old camellias need to be cut back severely to help them regenerate themselves. You can cut them back half way with no problem, but wait until the first part of February at the earliest before any severe pruning. If you have buds that have not opened in early February, you may want to let them finish blooming and then do a severe pruning. I do this periodically on some of my large camellias, and it makes them healthier and they look much better.
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