camellias an azaleas

martynw · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 11:44 pm Post subject: camellias an azaleas

Hi All,

I am new to the site, and also to the Northern Hemisphere.
I have planted 3 camellias - all with buds. I have got 2 blooms off the one . The rest have remained in bud. They are not dying off, but certainly not progressing either.I had visions of them being covered in blooms by now! The azaleas seem just as stagnant.
What now? Any help would be appreciated for my first Irish garden!

Martyn

catman · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 11:58 pm Post subject:

My azalea looks healthy too but no sign of blooms at all. Was wondering if it had anything to do with the harsh winter?

Liz D · Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree Joined: 04 Apr 2010 Posts: 54

I have two camellias that bloomed last year. They are looking so pathetic right now- I've fed them but not even signs of buds. However, they did sit in the snow all winter in terra cotta pots...

martynw · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 3:54 pm Post subject:

Just an update: I started adding tea-leaves to the camellia with the 2 blooms and one of the azaleas - the 2 blooms are now 5 flowers, and the azalea is full of small pink buds. It is interesting that the ones that didn't get the tea-leaves have not made any progress. I shall start adding tea-leaves to their soil too, and see how they get on.

michael brenock · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 7:54 pm Post subject:

the flower buds of the camellias are initiated the previous Summer and Autumn and while the tea leaves might be good for Camellias (Same family) it is doubtful if they could have such an immediate effect. Sorry for being the bearer of bad news but I feel I should point you in the right direction rather than seeing you doing the wrong thing. Keep on adding the tea leaves
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)