It's that time of year again when the camellias show off their beauty and enchant us with a sea of flowers. Is your camellia not blooming? There may be something wrong with the care. We examine the possible causes and give tips on how to stimulate flowering.
My camellia isn't blooming... what could be the problem?
Camellias are beautiful ornamental shrubs with glossy dark green leaves and large flowers that are a delight for every hobby gardener. But if your camellia isn't blooming and dropping its buds, you may be wondering what you're doing wrong. This is actually not uncommon with camellias in pots,but also garden shrubscan disappoint with a lack of flowers. Here are the possible reasons and what you can do about them.
The lack of flowers in spring is due, among other things, to poor growing conditions in the previous summer when flower buds are being formed. Drought can prevent buds from forming, so water well in summer. Feed the plant with an iron fertilizer and lay down a layer of mulch to keep the roots consistently moist.
Three reasons why potted camellia loses buds
Let's look at the potted plant first. There are three main reasons why camellias do not produce flowers in containers: incorrect location, incorrect water supply and the most common - dry heating air in the house.
- Location: Camellias are known for not liking full sun locations. Whether in the garden or in the house, you should find a place for the camellia that does not have direct sunlight. The midday sun must be avoided at all costs, so place your potted camellia in a place that offers sufficient light but no direct sun.
- Pour: The camellia produces its flowers for the next flowering period between mid-summer and spring. During this period they should be watered regularly, otherwise the flowering will be endangered. The plant does not like lack of water and dryness in summer and later reacts by losing buds. It is best to water at equal intervals and with low-lime water so that the plant thrives and blooms profusely.
- Warmth and dry air: The most common reason camellias don't bloom in containers is heat. In winter, the potted camellia should never be left at temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius. She doesn't like dry air, which comes from being close to a radiator, for example. Strong temperature fluctuations should also be avoided. So make sure you maintain a consistent temperature during the cold season.
Camellia does not bloom because of frost damage
If the camellia in the garden does not produce flowers or loses its buds early, frost is often to blame. So you should first make sure that the variety you have in your garden is hardy. The location also plays an important role, because camellias prefer sunny or semi-shady places in the garden, near large,shady trees. Nevertheless, the plant needs suitable frost protection in winter, such as a thick layer of mulch and a fleece covering for the crown. This prevents frost damage and allows the garden shrub to show its full potential in spring.
No flowering due to incorrect soil
In sandy, dry and nutrient-poor soil, the camellia does not have the resources it needs to flower. If you planted your ornamental shrub in the wrong soil, you should transplant it into soil that is enriched with lots of organic material such as compost.
The optimal soil conditions for camellia to bloom are:
- Nutrient-rich clay soil or soil enriched with organic matter that retains moisture but has a porous structure so excess water can drain away.
- A slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.8-6.5.
Wrong pruning
Unlike other flowering shrubs, camellias do not require pruning to encourage flowering. However, some varieties can grow up to 5 m tall if left uncut. So if you have limited space, you can prune the camellia to maintain its height and shape. It is important that you prune as soon as possible after flowering, otherwise you can slow down bud formation for the next flower. If you cut at the wrong time, the flowers may fail next year.
Too much fertilizer
You should only fertilize camellias in low doses because they are sensitive to salt. Furthermore, camellias, including those in pots, should no longer be fertilized from August onwards. You can start fertilizing again from March. You can find further tips on fertilizing and find out more about suitable fertilizersin this postread.
How can you stimulate flowering?
In order to get the camellia to bloom again, the growing conditions must be right. The soil should be slightly acidic, so if you are unsure, do a soil analysis. Since the plant needs a cold stimulus to bloom, leave it outdoors for as long as possible. A lot of light is also needed during bud formation, but please no direct sunlight. If the humidity is too low, you can spray the dripped plant with water or turn on a humidifier. Also, try not to change the location of the potted camellia during bud formation, as the plant may respond by losing buds. With the right care, your camellia will delight you with new flowers next year at the latest.
