The buds on my camellia look as though something is eating them. The tips are 'chewed' away. Not just some but many. An old tree 40+ years old, have never seen this before. Possums? Cockatoos? Insect? Fungi? ?? Paul,. Kilmore Victoria.
It could be bud mites. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/camellia/treating-mites-on-camellias.htm
My plant is in a shady part of the garden about a year old now. Initially it looked in great condition however over the last few months some of its green leaves are brown . can you please suggest what to do to help it please. thankyou for your time and help.
Unfortunately, your photos did not come through. I won't be able to make a diagnosis.
It sounds like an infection in your soil. These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/test-soil-for-pests-and-diseases.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
Depending on the type of camellia, leaves will develop scorched, browned or bronzed areas if directly exposed to too much sun. Once the leaves have turned brown, they will not recover. Camellia sasanqua leaves are more sun tolerant than camellia japonica, reticulata and oleifera leaves. Other causes: poor drainage, lack of water or inconsistent watering or root injury due to transplant.
We've got quite a few very mature sasanquas & lost a couple last year. I'd like to do what I can to prevent losing any more.
No need to fertilize in the fall/winter. Just maintain the soil as evenly moist as you can and mulch with 2-4” of organic mulch (no rocks). Stop watering if the soil freezes or temps dip below freezing.
Can I use Banana Special Fertilizer on my camellias. I'm not a very good gardener. Thanking you, Joanne
You can. It isn't far off from what a Camellia will require. This article will help you to feed them:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/camellia/camellia-fertilizer-info.htm
When and how best to re-pot 2 camellias currently in a half - barrel they have outgrown and are now fighting for space, please? James the Novice.
Dads quad can be transplanted when they go semi-dormant in the winter and japonicad -since they tend to mostly bloom in late fall to winter- can be transplanted after they bloom. Be careful with their root system, as they have shallow, tiny, fibrous root that only grow about 4” deep when planted in the ground. More info:
You site says to move Camellia bushes in winter when the plants are dormant. Here on November 6 - Rosenberg, TX, my bushes have buds on them. They are still green and about 3/4 inch long. Is this plant dormant? Do I need to wait until December or January to move it? I want to move the plants from parents' old home before we sell it. Moving the bushes (4 of them) to Wharton, Tx. I could take pictures the next time I'm in Rosenberg if you need that to help me!!
My sasanquas have/are blooming here in Hurst, Texas but the japonicas are still waiting; they bloom in late December to April. Camellias do not go dormant in the Texas normally. They just enter a period of semi-dormancy in which they retain all foliage and blooms. Because of winter is colder in Jan-Feb temperature-wise, they will be subject to be dormant at that time. Watch out for our typically wildly fluctuating temps as these may cause the plants to break dormancy just as a cold snap arrives. I lost one bush in February 2022 because it was blooming when temps plummeted to -2°F. Unfortunately, it is hard to say "when" they are sleep but they stand a better chance in Jan-Feb. Prepare the new hole ahead of time to minimize the time that the plant is exposed. Water deeply the night before and get help to move it if necessary. The more of the rootball and of the fibrous roots that you transfer, the less the roots will be disturbed. Disturbing the roots may cause flower bud failures and cannot be helped (other than by mulching and watering when a finger inserted to a depth of 4" feels dry). Remember that their root system is shallow, tiny, fibrous, like a pancake and grows about 4" deep only. Do not fertilize until spring-ish weather arrives in 2022, probably in mid to late March or April. Protect the foliage from air drying when transporting them (like if you put them on the back of a pickup truck).
We had a HARD freeze 9 1 degree) which is very unusual for us in Zone 8. My camilla's leaves have dropped off. Are they completely dead or can they be pruned way back later?
The shrubs likely are not dead, but the leaves froze. Wait till spring and see if the leaves regrow. If the stems froze, you can cut back, but still wait till spring. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/winter-damaged-trees-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/camellia/caring-for-camellias.htm