On Fri, 2 Apr 2004 17:23:04 +0100, "CM"
wrote:

I have a camellia which seems reluctant to flower. Each year we get a few,
but nothing compared to others in my area.
It's planted quite close to a west facing fence, hence protected from early
morning sun, but I think the position may be a bit too dry?

What do others think? Or is there some trick to getting Camellias to flower.

Thanks
Colin....................

Camellias set their flower buds in the late summer, and it's vital
that they have moisture at their roots during this period. If they get
dry, even for a few days, the buds may abort or never form. Is it
mulched to help retain moisture? If not, then mulch it soon and before
the soil dries, with a thick layer of peat, compost or (best) leaf
mould. But the mulch must be fairly open to allow air the circulate,
or the roots may suffocate, i.e. not too earthy. Keep it well watered
through the summer. Give it a canful of water say twice a week. If
your tap water is alkaline, use rainwater, or add a few drops of
vinegar to the watering can (but don't overdo it). Peat tends to dry
on the surface in summer, and water from a can tends to run straight
off. Adding a little detergent to the water will help it wet the peat
and soak in better.

Do you feed it? Feed with Phostrogen or Miracle Grow Ericaceous, or
even just sulphate of ammonia in water, two or three times between now
and the end of June, and then once with sulphate of potash in July. If
you continue feeding with nitrogen after the end of June you run the
risk of encouraging late growth into autumn, which won't mature before
the winter and may get damaged by frost. The sulphate of potash
encourages buds to set.

If it sets buds OK but they don't survive the winter, then consider
protecting it from frosts with netting or fleece.


--
Chris

E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net