Give the buds a spray/squirt of soapy water. Looks like a light infestation of aphids. If you have time, wipe the leaves with a damp sponge to remove the soot too. Should be fine.
So i bought a spray bottle from the garden centre, filled it with soapy water, only to find that it then didn't work. Got some kitchen paper, soaked it with the soapy water, and gently tried to remove the aphids and clean the leaves. Sadly some buds just popped off. i don't think my camellia is too happy this year. I think the heat of last summer got to her and I didn't know to water her in September for flowers this spring.
ElizaRose, sorry to hear that some buds dropped off. Personally I wouldn’t worry too much about them dropping off, and it can happen even on healthy looking buds.
It’s still early now so let them be and they may be fine. A bit of a warm spell can bring on aphids. As you stated water stress makes them more vulnerable at this time of year.
Mulching a nice thick layer of ericaceous compost or bark chip in spring time and keeping an eye on the dry weather throughout summer. Water generously if no rain for a few weeks. The younger a shrub the more they need water. Hope it all goes well.
Posts
i don't think my camellia is too happy this year. I think the heat of last summer got to her and I didn't know to water her in September for flowers this spring.
It’s still early now so let them be and they may be fine. A bit of a warm spell can bring on aphids. As you stated water stress makes them more vulnerable at this time of year.
Mulching a nice thick layer of ericaceous compost or bark chip in spring time and keeping an eye on the dry weather throughout summer. Water generously if no rain for a few weeks. The younger a shrub the more they need water. Hope it all goes well.