What is wrong with my Camellia
I have had relative success with my Camellias but recently the leaves have a burnt look, the flowers this year didn't all open and died off very quickly. Now I have found unidentified grubs beneath some new leaf growth.(please see pics)
Any help would be much appreciated.
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I wouldn't worry too much about the insects - scale of some kind - scoosh them off with a hose.
I expect your Camellia is dry. I see it's in a pot. If you've had a lot of dry weather recently, it's probably struggling to take up enough water for the amount of foliage it has. This is the time of year when it's vital for them not go short of moisture, as this is when next year's buds are forming.
Anything in a pot will need a bit of the soil replaced each year to renew the nutrients. A mulch also helps to retain moisture. I think your foliage is possibly just suffering from a bit of sun damage.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yeah Hi,
The pot size is 18" x 18" x 18" which may now be too small for it. I use Chempak Sequestered Iron once in the early spring and again mid August and a Miracle Grow liquid plant food every 4-6 weeks.
The Camellia would be watered by hose every third day in cool conditions but daily in hot weather. I have been reluctant to over water as I have had problems with root rot on a Acer and obviously thought this may have had something to do with losing the mass of blooms so quickly.
This is the plant in 2015. I had more blooms this year but many only half opened and the rest lasted about a week. none of them looking healthy either.
Thanks Verdun,
I'm not sure but you could well be correct. when the plant was potted on, I may well of used multi purpose compost. Not much chance of getting it out of that pot without damaging it (plant that is).
suggestions on keeping it as healthy as possible then? Now that my concerns over disease and infestation have been quenched.
Will do. Thanks Verdun and all that left a comment. all comments very welcome.