Camellia not flowering?

Julia1983

Hi all,

I have a camellia R.L Wheeler in a pot against a north facing wall. Does it look like it will flower this year?   It is in ericaceous compost but was only planted about 9 months ago so I have not fed it. It did lose some leaves this summer which turned brown and fell off (put it down to the very hot summer)  but otherwise looks healthy. I have seen some for sale in garden centres that are just about to flower and mine doesn't look like that so a little worried that I have done something wrong!  The pot is about 60cm diameter.

Obelixx

Camellias, rhodos and azaleas set their flower buds from July onwards.   If they run short of water in summer and autumn, they sacrifice the flower buds to save energy.  Leaf dropping is a sign of serious stress.

I doubt if you'll get flowers this year but you should next year if you feed it a generous dollop of slow release rose or tomato feed around Easter and ensure it gets regular watering with rain water throughout the growing season.