Moving Camellia from container to bed

HI all, have just read a ton of threads on camellias but none seem to address my specific question. I have a camellia in a large container at home, about 3-4 ft tall. it has lovely white flowers at the moment. I want to move it to a bed at the front of my house. When is the best time to do this? as it is going from a container to the bed can it be done anytime?

 

I have moved them in the spring and in the autumn. Neither have had any problems. Gave them a nice extra bit of compost and ericaceous feed, and they've all done fine. Only thing I have noticed is that the flowers in the following spring (i.e. now!) have not been great on the ones I moved last autumn, but sure that's just the trauma of the move. They haven't shed leaves or anything! :thumb:

 

I presume your soil is Acidic? Camellias won't grow in Alkaline soil. (And even if your soil is acidic make sure any additional bagged-compost you add in is too - it is usually labelled "Ericaceous").

My simplistic view is that:

• You can plant a container-grown plant at any time - be careful to disturb the roots as little as possible when you plant it
• Anything planted in the Spring, rather than the Autumn, needs more watering and cosseting to get it through the first year - and is thus more stressed
• The soil is colder in the Spring than the Autumn
• Consequently I try to plant all Trees and Shrubs in the late Autumn

 

cheers guys, yup well aware of the acidic needs of camellias, have rhodedenrons(never get that spelling right) and pieris down that all need acidic soil. it's already in ericaceous compost and has been getting feed for acid loving plants since it started flowering. i have a spot earmarked for it ad would like to get it in there, to free up the pot if possible, and fill in the open space i've left for it but if there is a better chance of survival by leaving till autumn i can do that too

 

I'm a bit bothered that the fact that they are early Spring flowering may make a difference and may mean that Late Autumn planting is not best for them, but some untidy blighter has not put my gardening bible away on its proper shelf (I wonder who?!!) so I can't look it up.

 

yeah, i'd usually move plants late autumn when they have stopped growing for the year, but was wondering about camellias as they are evergreen and early flowering..

 

That was my experience - late autumn transplant led to less flowers but it still survived and is looking pretty healthy. My one I transplanted in late spring/early summer last year has now got loads of flowers on it for this year. I think you just need to give them a bit of time to bed in. Camelias are pretty tough in my experience. Have got 5 and moved every one of them without problems.

 

thanks. might give it a couple of weeks for the flowers to finish up and move it then..

 

Found the book - on a corner of my desk where I presumably put it last time I went and got it. I have thrashed myself to within an inch of my life for my laziness not putting it away - not sure it will do any good though ...

It says "Plant in Sep/Oct or in Mar-Apr"

In full:

"Camellias are easily grown in any good, lime-free soil; light soils should be enriched with leaf-mould. They give the best results in a position with a westerly or sheltered northerly aspect, against a wall, or in woodland where the high canopy of trees will give them protection from frost and early morning sun. Plant in September and October or in March and April. In an east-facing position the morning sun after frost may damage the blooms. Camellias thrive in sun, provided they have a cool root run, and a southern aspect should therefore be avoided.

They do not tolerate windy and exposed positions or waterlogged conditions. Young plants may need staking until they are well established. In April, give a good mulch, about 2 in. deep, of old farmyard manure, leaf-mould or lime-free compost.

Dead-head all camellias with the exception of C. x williamsii, after flowering.

Early-flowering varieties in particular are best grown in 8-12 in. pots and small tubs containing a compost of 4 parts lime-free loam, 2 parts peat or leaf-mould, 1 part coarse sand (parts by volume) and 4 oz. of bone-meal per bushel. Stand the pots or tubs outdoors in a sheltered, partially shaded position from May to October, then bring into a cold greenhouse and maintain a temperature of 4-7C (40-45F) until May.

If earlier flowers are wanted under glass, increase the temperature by 5C (10F) from early December.

Camellias may also be grown under glass throughout the year, planted out in the border."

 

CHuck it in the ground now-it'll be fine.


PS, that untidy blighter???????????????Not been visiting me by any chance.

 

thanks Kristen, think we may have the same book, i was worried about mine bing in the pot that it might change things.

 

thanks for the first bit..

????? for the second bit? sounds like a clue to a cryptic crossword!!

 

sorry to butt in I also have a camelia in a pot and am planning to move it in the ground, mine is a 6foot monster will it hurt it to cut it down a bit and tidy it up first as not sure we can shift it as it is