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Relocate camellia from chalky soil to a container?

Kate the DragonKate the Dragon Posts: 20
in Problem solving
My 'new' garden on the edge of the chalky Chilterns has several seemingly inappropriate plants, planted by the previous owner. The soil is mainly clay based and alkaline, my query is regarding a camellia plant. It has not had more than one or two flowers during the last couple of springs; in spite of my feeding it with ericaceous fertiliser and mulch, plus a wetter summer, it has not formed buds for next year.  Is it worth digging it up and replanting it in a large pot with ericaceous compost, or should I just replace it with a more appropriate plant?
The camellia is less than a metre tall and some of the branch ends died back in the previous hot, dry summer, then were trimmed.  Any suggestions?

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,543
    How are the leaves looking? If there are signs of chlorosis then containerising the plant might be appropriate (depending on the size). If the leaves are healthy then I doubt lack of flowering is due to the soil. Could be over-fertilising, or perhaps lack of water at a critical stage of bud-formation. I'm assuming no one is pruning the plant late in the year, which would remove the flower buds..
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 887
    I think I would pot it up, as it is unlikely to do well in chalky soil and may well die. I would water it extra well if there are periods of no rain - preferably with rain water. I find extra watering in summer and autumn helps my camellia to set buds (already forming now). 

    Where the Wild Things Are
     ...that is where I would prefer to be...
    COASTAL SOUTHERN ENGLAND...silty-sandy-loam ravaged by wind
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 887
    Mine are in pots, and have been for nearly five years, by the way!
    Where the Wild Things Are
     ...that is where I would prefer to be...
    COASTAL SOUTHERN ENGLAND...silty-sandy-loam ravaged by wind
  • Kate the DragonKate the Dragon Posts: 20
    Thanks for the suggestions; actually, the leaves do not look chlorotic, though some died off during the very dry summer of 2022. Maybe whilst settling into the garden (and I also had a new hip this year), I have failed to water the camellia enough. It is also disadvantaged by having its roots in competition with a catalpa close by and an established hedge on the other side of the fence. At least it is on the west side of the boundary fence, so does not get morning sun, or very much sun in the winter.
    I think that I will try it for one more winter in the ground, with extra water, and if it still isn't flowering, then I'll pot it.  
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