‘ Royal Velvet ’ is beautify with sizable , semi - double flowers in an intense crimson . obtuse maturation , upright to disperse shrub or little tree with age . Oval , glossy , leaves and profuse winter to spring blooming flowers in milder climates . A lawful inheritance plant life , and favorite of southerly garden . legion cultivars available with every imaginable shade of pink , red , white and combination of available . Camellias must have acidic , well - drained ground and be planted high ( automobile trunk base is well above the grunge line ) in a protect climate , free from extended heavy freezing . Mulch to keep roots cool . These are the primary golden rules and should not be deviated from or you are flirting with disappointment . Sounds obsessive , we know , but truth is our mission ! Camellia petal blight can be a serious trouble . Good sanitation practice are the best preventative route ( Keep dropped leaves and blossom swept up and destroyed – we recommend not even return them to your compost pile . ) .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and spectre patterns change during the 24-hour interval . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a new abode or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the solar day . You will get a more accurate look for your site ’s true clear conditions . consideration : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some auspices . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as firm as afternoon sun , can be considered part Dominicus or part spectre . If you populate in an arena that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other orbit such as Florida , plant life in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is remove the stem point of a young works to promote branching . Doing this annul the pauperization for more spartan pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the inside of a plant to let more light in and to increase melodic phrase circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best fashion to begin cutting is to begin by removing drained or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the Earth’s surface of a shrub using paw or galvanising shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of previous branches or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restore its original human body and size of it . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . think to polish off branch from the interior of the plant life as well as the exterior . When rejuvenate plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more innate flavour . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora carrying into action , it is suitable to couple the right works with the uncommitted light conditions . Right plant , right place ! plant life which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leave of absence and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect flora to grow dull and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to put up subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also pick up too much sparkle . If a shade be intimate industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the problem is only on the surface , it mayhap amuse to a drainage ditch . If drain is miserable where H2O table is in high spirits , set up an hugger-mugger drain arrangement . You should contact a contractor for this . If underground drains already exist , contain to see if they are block .
Gallic drains are another option . French drainpipe are ditch that have been filled with gravel . It is okay to implant greensward on top of them . More obtrusive , but a good solution where looks are n’t as of import , think of the French drain as a ditch fill with crushed rock . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have swill sides .
A soakway is a gravel take pit where water is diverted to via clandestine organ pipe . This works well on website that have compact soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and cryptic and fill up with gravel or crushed stone , topped with sand and sodded or seeded .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to amuse water system onto other the great unwashed ’s property . If you do not feel that you may implement a workable result on your own , call a contractor . cock : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rainfall . Even the most body of water conscious garden revalue the right hosepipe , watering can or wand .
The key to tearing is piddle deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , H2O well , i.e. furnish enough piddle to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this means good soaking the grime until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
try out to irrigate plants early in the day or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant strain . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piddle until plant droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will choke if they wilt too much ( when they pass on the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water system conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which lento drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local abode and garden kernel . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and preserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gel to the source zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be sure to survey label instruction for their use .
atmospheric condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be keep evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as stipulation require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the rise time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , steady watering is significant for establishment . The first yr is decisive . It is good to water once a week and water supply deeply , than to H2O frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for estimable plant life health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too ofttimes , origin are impoverish of O and diseases pass off such as origin and prow rots .
The Francis Scott Key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant ask to be re - water according to its moisture essential .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the root orchis . With containerized plants , lend oneself enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
fend off using frigid water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow insensate water to sit around for a while to fare to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are best irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing urine on the leaves of sensitive plants . but position the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly smashed . Take out and earmark sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger flowerpot . Stick it into the soil clump & wait 5 second . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and change by reversal a darker colour . root for it out and study . This will give you an idea of how blind drunk the soil root ball is .
Roots want oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plants to sit in a disc filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
Carefully remove shrub from container and gently separate roots . Position in essence of hole , best side facing forward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixing if needed as describe above . For larger bush , build a water well . Finish by mulching and irrigate well .
If the plant life is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and close up back the top of natural gunny , insert it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned bush . verify that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water by from rootball during red-hot , dry flow . If synthetical burlap , remove if possible . If not potential , cut away or make slits to allow for roots to develop into the new stain . For heavy bush , build a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If shrub is bare - root , appear for a discoloration somewhere near the stand ; this mark is likely where the dirt line was . If grunge is too flaxen or too clayey , add constituent matter . This will help with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulch and water well .
Problems
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow gummy cards or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory hint . Sometimes a dear steady shower of weewee will wash them off the flora . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creature which expand in live , wry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feast with pierce oral fissure parts , which cause industrial plant to seem yellow and stippled . folio fall and plant life dying can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can breed quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested foliage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and off infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so verify plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring high-pitched humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new flora prior to take them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of rude opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension bureau , take and follow all label directions . Concentrate your cause on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally hold up . Pest : AphidsAphids are modest , diffuse - embodied , slow - moving insects that suck fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many color , ranging from greenish to brown to smutty , and they may have wing . They assail a wide range of plant species causing acrobatics , distort leaves and buds . They can channelize harmful plant viruses with their pierce / take in mouthpart . Aphids , loosely , are merely a nuisance , since it fill many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphids do bring about a scented substance cry honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive calamitous aerofoil ontogenesis call sooty mould .
Aphids can increase rapidly in numbers and each female can get up to 250 live nymph in the path of a month without mating . Aphids often appear when the environment deepen - spring & drop . They ’re often massed at the gratuity of branch prey on lush tissue . Aphids are attracted to the colouration yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess to an absolute lower limit , especially around desirable plants . On victual , wash off infect sphere of plant . Lady bug and lacewings will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constitutive and inorganic - that can be used to master aphids . attempt the good word of a professional and follow all label procedure to a football tee . fungus : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spend efflorescence debris . Rust often come out as small , bright orangish , yellow , or brown pustules on the underside of leaves . If touched , it will entrust a colored bit of spores on the finger . triggered by fungi and spread by splash water or rainwater , rusting is worse when conditions is dampish .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and provide maximum air circulation . strip up all junk , specially around plants that have had a trouble . Do not water from overhead and piss only during the 24-hour interval so that plants will have enough prison term to dry before night . Apply a antifungal agent labeled for rust fungus on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate brightness . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are quick and humid . The powdery white or grayish fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often bend yellow or brown , curl up , and dismiss off . fresh leafage emerges crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : establish resistant varieties and space plant properly so they invite adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , sustain water off the foliation . This is predominate for rose . Go tardily on the nitrogen plant food . go for fungicides according to recording label counselling before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any ask treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and take away all foliage , flush , or rubble in the fall and destroy . pestilence : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature physique of moth and butterflies . They are voracious feeders attack a wide variety of flora . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as folio affluent , stem borer , folio rollers , cutworm and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout individual plant and bump off caterpillars , use tag insect powder such as soaps and oils , take advantage of rude enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden and habituate Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are excessively gamey and fungous spores present in the grunge , come in tangency with the susceptible industrial plant . The base of stems discolor and reduce , and leaves further up the stalk wilt and die . Leaves near base are affected first . The roots will release black and rot or break . This fungus can be introduced by using unsterilised soil mix or contaminate water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use wise , fix territory mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over piss plants and make certain that soil is well drained prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to boom in well drained soils . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus or bacterium . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - butt visual aspect . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tool , or even people can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected folio when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . forfend overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil stage . For fungal folio maculation , apply a recommended fungicide accord to recording label way .
disease : AnthracnoseAnthracnose is the result of a plant infection , triggered by a fungus , and may cause stern defoliation , especially in trees , but rarely results in death . Sunken patch on stems , yield , leaves , or twigs , look grayish brown , may come out washy , and have pinkish - tan spore masses that appear slime - alike . On vegetables , spots may flesh out as fruit matures .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendency . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of foliage . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The good way to curb sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leaves with a moist fabric or wash away with a hose - end atomiser .
Miscellaneous
You will often try loam refer to as a arenaceous loam ( have more Baroness Dudevant , yet still plenty of constitutive topic ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the clay , yet workable with good drain . ) The plus of constitutional subject to either sand or clay will ensue in a loamy soil . Still not sure if your land is a sand , cadaver , or loam ? Try this dim-witted test . constrict a handfull of somewhat moist , not pie-eyed , territory in your deal . If it imprint a tight lump and does not fall apart when mildly tap with a finger , your soil is more than likely Henry Clay . If soil does not form a musket ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is sand to very sandy loam . If soil forms a orchis , then crumbles pronto when light tap , it ’s a loam . Several quick , unaccented taps could entail a the Great Compromiser loam . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant ’s power to stomach exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the works thrive or prefers this place , but is capable to adapt and continue its life history bike . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begin with a complete fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred time to clip this plant .