Camellia help, yellowing leaves and flowers

Discussion in 'Container Gardening' started by Nomad John, Saturday at 10:33 PM.

  1. Nomad John

    Nomad John Apprentice Gardener

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    Hello there, I would really appreciate your thoughts. I've inherited this Camellia and it seems very unhappy. Leaves and flowers yellowing. I've only watered it a couple of times. Had it since December and now it's flowering but it doesn't look okay. Any thoughts would be much appreciated 20250405_112221.jpg 20250405_112217.jpg 20250405_112230.jpg
     
  2. CostasK

    CostasK Gardener

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    Yellow leaves are often the result of a nutrient deficiency. It looks from the last photo that the pot it is in is probably too small. Unless it's an optical illusion, I would repot rather than just add fertiliser.

    Please also remember that camelias like acidic conditions e.g. erricaceous compost.
     
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    • Pete8

      Pete8 Super Gardener

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      The compost looks very dry too which will prevent nutrient take-up
       
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      • Notwellygood

        Notwellygood Apprentice Gardener

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        Whereabouts are you? If you have had as little rain as us so far this year and have only watered it twice then I am surprised it looks so well. (Bear in mind that evergreens take a while to react when they are unhappy.)
        On the other hand mine is in the ground and looks like that every year because it doesn't like the night frosts we get just when it is flowering!
         
      • Nomad John

        Nomad John Apprentice Gardener

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        Thank you all, I think the lack of watering was probably the issue, I'm in bedfordshire and we too have had little rain in the last couple of months. I've also just brought a ph tester and the soil is pretty neutral so have ordered some sulphur pellets add some acidity. Any more thoughts?
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          Sulphur is pretty slow to change ph, a faster method is a good watering with sequestrene, once a year is all it would need.
           
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          • Pete8

            Pete8 Super Gardener

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            I wouldn't advise using sulphur pellets in a potted plant and I wouldn't take any notice of the pH reading.

            The pot is too small and any nutrients in the compost have long since been used.
            Just water it (using rainwater if possible) and give it a general purpose plant food once a month during the warmer months - e.g. miracle grow or Phostrogen and don't let it dry out.
             
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