How to Water Camellias
Because camellias are evergreens with shiny leaves, it can be difficult to know when they need water. Here’s how to tell: Stick your finger in the root ball. If it feels dry 2 to 3 inches down into the soil, you should water. In general, if you planted during the fall, you’ll need to water only about once every week or two, assuming you haven’t had any rain. If you plant in the spring, water deeply once a week for the first month, then cut back to every other week. To make sure you’re giving each plant enough moisture, hold the hose over the root ball and count to 10 while watering.
How to Feed Camellias
Camellias like to eat! They are easy to grow but will put on a much bigger flower show if, in addition to providing them with great soil, you give them regular meals. A month after planting, feed your camellias withMiracle-Gro® LiquaFeed® Flowering Trees & Shrubs Plant Food, which is specially formulated to deliver just the right nutrients. Be sure to follow the directions on the package so you’ll know when and how much to apply.
How to Prevent Most Pest Problems with Camellias
Camellias can suffer from some pest and disease problems. The good news, though, is that a lot of those issues can be avoided simply by regularly cleaning up around the plants and pruning them properly. Many camellia diseases stick around in leaves or flowers that have fallen from the plants, so be sure to rake them up and throw them away (don’t compost them). If you continue to have problems with disease or insects, you may want to treat plants with a disease and insect control spray designed for flowering plants, such asOrtho® Rose & Flower Insect & Disease Control Concentrate.
How to Prune Camellias
While you don’t have to prune your camellias, you may want to. See, pruning actually encourages more growth. Instead of trying to shear your camellias into shaped hedges, though, simply use hand pruners to remove individual branches. Follow these tips:
- To control the size of your camellia shrub, prune the ends of the branches right after the plant finishes blooming.
- To “open up” a plant that’s growing too densely, prune some of the interior branches back to the main trunk at any time.
- Remove rubbing or crossing branches and any dead twigs whenever you see them.
- To keep the shrub looking its best, always cut back to just in front of a leaf.
