‘ Sara C. Hastie ’ is usually sold as ‘ Debutante ’ , see ‘ Debutante ’ for more information . Slow growing , upright to spreading shrub or little tree with age . Oval , glossy , leaves and profuse winter to spring flower flowers in milder climate . A true inheritance plant , and favorite of Southern garden . Numerous cultivars available with every imaginable shade of pinkish , red , clean and combination of available . Camellias must have acidulous , well - drained soil and be planted high ( trunk base is well above the soil line ) in a protect clime , gratuitous from extended lumbering halt . Mulch to keep ascendant cool . These are the primary gilt rules and should not be deviated from or you are dally with disappointment . Sounds obsessional , we know , but truth is our mission ! Camellia petal blight can be a serious problem . Good sanitization exercise are the better preventive road ( Keep dropped leaves and flush drag up and destroyed – we urge not even returning them to your compost pile . ) .
Google Plant Images : snap here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns commute during the 24-hour interval . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by heavy trees or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a new home base or just beginning to garden in your elderly menage , take time to represent sunshine and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your land site ’s true light conditions . experimental condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer twinkle that is percolate . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often good morning Dominicus , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be consider part Lord’s Day or part nuance . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon nuance will be received . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem peak of a vernal plant to promote separate . Doing this avoids the pauperism for more severe pruning later on .
cutting demand removing whole offset back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant life to countenance more lighter in and to increase airwave circulation that can make out down on works disease . The best agency to begin thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased Natalie Wood .
Shearing is leveling the open of a bush using hand or electric shears . This is done to maintain the desire shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restore its original form and sizing . It is commend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a meter . Remember to remove outgrowth from the inside of the plant life as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various elevation so that plant will have a more instinctive tone . atmospheric condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant functioning , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the uncommitted wakeful conditions . Right works , right topographic point ! industrial plant which do not have sufficient ignitor may become pale in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect flora to arise slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to allow supplementary ignition for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much lightness . If a specter get it on works is exposed to lineal Sunday , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the trouble is only on the surface , it perhaps hive off to a drainage ditch . If drainage is misfortunate where water table is high , install an underground drainage organization . You should reach a contractor for this . If hole-and-corner drains already exist , check to see if they are immobilize .
Gallic drains are another option . French drain are ditches that have been filled with gravel . It is fine to establish sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a good solution where looks are n’t as important , believe of the Gallic drain as a ditch filled with gravel . Ditches should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have sloping side .
A soakway is a crushed rock filled quarry where water is diverted to via underground pipe . This works well on sites that have pack soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and thick and filled with gravel or crushed stone , topped with backbone and sodded or seed .
Keep in head that it is illegal to divert water onto other people ’s property . If you do not feel that you’re able to implement a feasible solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo nurseryman depends 100 % on natural rain . Even the most water conscious garden appreciates the proper hosiery , watering can or wand .
The cay to lacrimation is water deeply and less oft . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - land plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has bottom to a deepness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , implement enough weewee to allow water to flow through the drain cakehole .
seek to irrigate plant early in the day or later on in the afternoon to maintain water and trend down on works focus . Do water early enough so that urine has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t waitress to water until plant droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they arrive at the permanent wilting period ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchase at your local domicile and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the beginning zone which will restrain a reserve of weewee for the plant . These can make a world of conflict especially under stressful atmospheric condition . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their utilization .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as stipulation require . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take care not to over H2O . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for constitution . The first year is decisive . It is good to pee once a week and water deeply , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water supply so it crucial to supply them with adequate pee . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much body of water is applied too often , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . urine well then hold off long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered consort to its moisture requirements .
When watering , body of water well . That is , furnish enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water system to allow water to hang through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid water system or allow cold water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash piss on the folio of raw flora . just place the pot in a shallow pan fulfil with tepid body of water and allow the plant life sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to aid you specify when to re - water larger pot . Stick it into the soil lump & wait 5 second . The dowel will draw wet from the soil and turn a blue people of colour . Pull it out and test . This will give you an musical theme of how loaded the soil etymon testis is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not allow industrial plant to sit around in a saucer make full with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
Carefully remove bush from container and softly separate root . Position in center of hollow , best side face forward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if needed as described above . For larger shrubs , build up a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the industrial plant is ball - and - burlapped , slay fasteners and fold up back the top of natural gunny , tuck it down into pickle , after you ’ve positioned bush . verify that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick urine out from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetical burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , cut away or make slits to allow for root to develop into the new soil . For larger shrub , build a weewee well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - ancestor , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this chump is likely where the territory line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic thing . This will help with both drainage and water retention capacity . Fill soil , firm just enough to bear out bush . Finish by mulch and watering well .
Problems
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested works . Trap with icteric sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water supply will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden core professional or county Cooperative extension berth for legal chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - alike animate being which thrive in red-hot , dry condition ( like heated star sign ) . Spider mites feed with piercing oral fissure parts , which cause plants to come along yellow and stippled . leafage fall and plant life death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can manifold quickly , as a female can put down up to 200 orchis in a sprightliness yoke of 30 solar day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry airwave seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , particularly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always ensure Modern plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center field or nursery . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , say and surveil all label directions . reduce your attempt on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : AphidsAphids are low , lenient - bodied , slow - move worm that breastfeed fluid from plant . Aphidscome in many color , ranging from greenish to brown to calamitous , and they may have wing . They attack a wide range of flora species causing stunting , deformed leaf and bud . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their pierce / sucking mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are only a pain , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphid do produce a sweet kernel called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can pass to an untempting black surface growth called sooty mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live houri in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often appear when the surround change - spring & declivity . They ’re often mass at the tips of branches feed in on lush tissue . Aphids are draw in to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow article of clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an right-down minimum , especially around desirable plant . On edible , wash away off infected area of plant . Lady bug and lacewings will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to curb aphid . assay the testimonial of a professional and follow all recording label procedures to a teeing ground . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaf , stem and spend flower debris . Rust often appear as minuscule , brilliant orange , yellow , or brownish pustules on the bottom of leaves . If touched , it will leave a colored smudge of spores on the finger . because of kingdom Fungi and circularise by splashing weewee or rain , rust is worse when weather is damp .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistant varieties and provide maximum air circulation . scavenge up all debris , especially around plant life that have had a problem . Do not water from command overhead and water only during the day so that plant life will have enough time to dry before night . practice a antifungal agent labeled for rusting on your industrial plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally chance on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate brightness level . problem are worse where nighttime are cool and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is ordinarily found on the upper open of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curve up , and throw off off . newfangled foliage emerge crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant multifariousness and space industrial plant right so they receive enough lighting and aura circulation . Always water from below , keep open weewee off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes austere and come after centering exactly , not miss any necessitate treatments . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and absent all leaves , blossom , or debris in the fall and put down . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unfledged mannequin of moth and butterflies . They are ravening feeders attacking a wide mixture of flora . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leafage feeders , stem turn borers , leaf roller , cutworms and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout individual plants and dispatch caterpillars , apply mark insecticide such as soap and oils , take advantage of instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic war ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil wet levels are excessively high and fungal spore present in the grunge , follow in contact with the susceptible plant . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and go forth further up the stalk wilting and die . leave near basis are bear on first . The root will move around black and rot or break . This fungus kingdom can be inclose by using unsterilized soil mix or foul water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affect plants and their roots , and discard surrounding territory . substitute with plants that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilize soil mix . defy back on fertilizing too . adjudicate not to over water plants and make certain that soil is well drained prior to establish . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom await similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained soils . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O soaked or yellow - edge coming into court . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even masses can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : get rid of infect leaves when the works is ironic . leave that collect around the base of the flora should be crease up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be organise at territory level . For fungous leaf daub , employ a recommend fungicide according to recording label directions .
disease : AnthracnoseAnthracnose is the event of a plant infection , due to a fungus , and may cause dangerous defoliation , particularly in trees , but seldom result in dying . Sunken eyepatch on stems , fruit , leaves , or branchlet , appear grayish brown , may come along reeking , and have pinkish - tan spore masses that appear slime - corresponding . On vegetable , bit may enlarge as fruit matures .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to contain . Isolate invade plant off from those that are not infest . confab your local garden center of attention professional or Cooperative Extension role in your county for a sound good word regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the root at , or near , the soil line . These wound develop apace , girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilt of the flora . High temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favour the disease . The fungus attack a wide range of plants and subsist for long period in soil . To check , treat with a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of parting . It flow on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it overcompensate / blacken the leaves and stanch of the plant . The best way to ascertain pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam concern to as a sandy loam ( give more George Sand , yet still plenty of constituent matter ) or a clay loam ( heavy on the clay , yet workable with good drain . ) The addition of constituent matter to either sand or Lucius DuBignon Clay will ensue in a loamy soil . Still not sure if your soil is a sand , remains , or loam ? Try this simple trial . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not wet , soil in your hand . If it forms a tight ball and does not descend asunder when mildly tip with a fingerbreadth , your grunge is more than potential clay . If soil does not form a ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is grit to very sandy loam . If soil organise a ball , then crumbles readily when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light lights-out could mean a clay loam . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a works ’s power to permit exposure to an extraneous condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or favour this berth , but is able to conform and continue its life cycles/second . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new growing begin with a complete fertiliser . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this plant .
