a great find!

whilst out walking the dogs my mum & i stopped to 'tut tut' disapprovingly at a big mound of garden waste (just shrub/hedge prunings, grass cuttings & branches ect) someone had recently dumped on some common land well on closer inspection (you just have to have a look don't you?) there was a plant I.D tag peeping out so being the nosey pair that we are we gave it a tug & out came a little Camellia plant, root ball & all! happy days brought it home & potted it on, hopefully it'll recover from the shock of its ordeal & become nice & healthy.

now though, i cant say i have much experience of caring for acid loving plants as we have neutral soil here - and i always assumed (judging by the gardens surrounding the dumpted stuff (see told you we're ever so nosy! ) that they also have neutral soil, i'd say someone planted it not realising it wouldn't thrive & when it didn't they must've said "ah to hell with ye' then" (those words exactly ) & chucked it out with the rest of the garden waste...well thats my theory anyway anyhoo the tag says "Camellia Freedom Bell" & i must admit (if google images are anything to go by) it looks like it could become a beauty. so any pointers on caring for acid loving plants would be much appreciated

 

Well done on that find hunnybunny! We have found many discarded plants, shrubs and cuttings here that now are happily living with us and thriving.

 

What a find

Just pot her up into some ericaceous compost. I feed mine annually in spring with Miracle Gro slow release fertiliser for Rhodies & Camellias.

Have a look here for a bit more info

 

I have neutral to slightly alkaline soil and had success this year with a Lithodora Heavenly Blue having dug a big hole and filling with acidic compost for it. As you say, happy days.

 

thanks guys, im afraid i had no ericaceous compost to hand when i arrived home with my new little plant & fearing it'd turn up its toes if left any longer with root ball exposed like that i just used my own compost with a little top soil mixed in but...but...i remembered an old tip i'd read about mixing tea leaves into the compost when potting up acid loving plants so i did that & watered it in with a decent cuppa tea also...so hopefully that'll do for now, i will pick up ericaceous fertiliser next chance i get

 

thank you for the link, it's very much appreciated

 

thought you all might like to know our poor little Camellia is doing well it hasn't exactly put on oodles of growth but it has grown and seems healthy enough and.....its starting to flower first one is open!(and gorgeous too ) with plenty more to come

 

Bravo on your success with that lucky find HB You've nurtured her very well

Now all you need to do is to learn how to take cuttings and then ... send me one

 

What a little treasure you have there HB. She's been with you nearly 2 years now and is obviously contented and very happy. A nice early flowerer and that trumpet shaped flower is so appealing,
congratulations,
Jenny