Camellia Care

Camellia Care In NZ

Camellia care in NZ is about paying attention to a few key issues that can cause problems with your plants. These short articles provide all the detail you need to know to look after them for success.

Camellia Bush Care

Camellia bush care is all about knowing what to do in each season. Even though they are low maintenance plants, they will benefit from the attention you provide.

Winter is the perfect time for mulching around your plants. Organic matter such as compost or sheep pellets should be spread liberally around the plants and then overlaid with a mulch. The Plant Company has two very good options for mulch. The first is coco fibre matting which is made from the husks of coconuts. It breaks down to become part of the soil within two years. The second is the black plastic matting which will last 20 years or more. In both instances The Plant Company recommend stones, bark chip, or other similar products be spread over top of the mulch for aesthetic purposes. The Plant Company do not recommend adding fertiliser during winter as this is better applied in spring so less is wasted. However, adding organic matter is quite okay.

Spring is the perfect time for fertilising the plants as they start to bounce into life and flower buds begin to open. The Plant Company has fertilisers which have been specially blended for different plants and in this instance, our fertiliser for acid loving plants will give them the correct boost and keep them fed for 12-months. A suitable alternative is organic fertiliser which will also keep them well fed but it will require a secondary application in autumn.

Summer is when the plants need regular watering and this should be undertaken daily on the hottest days. Plants that are establishing need particular attention as their root system will not have penetrated deep enough to secure consistent moisture yet. Summer is also the season when varieties that have finished flowering should be trimmed if this is required. Please refer to our section on pruning and trimming for details on how to do this correctly.

Caring for Camellias in autumn is all about finishing any trimming and keeping the plants healthy. Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken during spring, summer, and autumn if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have already been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser won’t hurt.

Check plants for any pest or disease issues during spring, summer, and autumn. If anything is looking a little bit unusual at any time of year, refer to our section on dealing with issues for a solution.

Are Camellias Hard To Look After?

Camellias are not particularly difficult to look after, but they do require some specific care to thrive:

• Choose the right spot. Camellias prefer a semi-shaded spot with well-drained soil. They can be grown in full sun, but they will need to be watered more frequently. Avoid planting camellias in windy areas, as this can damage their flowers and branches.
• Water regularly. Camellias need regular watering, especially during the first year after planting. Be sure to water deeply so that the water reaches the roots.
• Fertilise regularly. Camellias benefit from regular feeding, especially in the spring and summer. Use a balanced fertiliser that is specifically formulated for acid-loving plants.
• Mulch around the plant. Mulching around your camellia plant will help to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Prune when needed. Camellias do not require regular pruning, but you can prune them to remove any dead or damaged branches or to control their size and shape.

Camellia Setsugekka Care

Camellia setsugekka care is all about knowing what to do in each season. Even though they are low maintenance plants, they will benefit from the attention you provide.

Winter is the perfect time for mulching around your plants. Organic matter such as compost or sheep pellets should be spread liberally around the plants and then overlaid with an organic mulch.

Spring is the perfect time for fertilising the plants as they start to bounce into life and flower buds begin to open. The Plant Company has fertilisers which have been specially blended for different plants and in this instance, our fertiliser for acid loving plants will give them the correct boost and keep them fed for 12-months. A suitable alternative is organic fertiliser which will also keep them well fed but it will require a secondary application in autumn.

Summer is when the plants need regular watering and this should be undertaken daily on the hottest days. Plants that are establishing need particular attention as their root system will not have penetrated deep enough to secure consistent moisture yet. Summer is also the season when varieties that have finished flowering should be trimmed if this is required. Please refer to our section on pruning and trimming for details on how to do this correctly.

Caring for Camellia Setsugekka in autumn is all about finishing any trimming and keeping the plants healthy. Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken during spring, summer, and autumn if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have already been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser won’t hurt.

Check the plants for any pest or disease issues during spring, summer, and autumn. If anything is looking a little bit unusual at any time of year, refer to our section on dealing with issues for a solution.

Should I Cut Off Dead Camellia Flowers?

Aged flowers can make Camellia plants unsightly at times, particularly for the varieties that produce larger flowers. It really is a matter of choice as to whether you remove the spent flowers or not as it won’t have any real impact on the plant either way. The Plant Company does, however, recommend that spent flowers are removed on Camellias maintained in containers to improve their aesthetics.