Do you know anything about camellias??

i have a camellia and it has these spots on it and i dont know what it is. it could be a bug or something but eventually it turns brown. what should i do??? its killing the leaves and the when the blooms starts it dies before it fully blooms. and its frustrating and its growth is stumped it seems. i have had the plant for a year and it seems it hasnt grown at all. my neighbor has one tht is 10 feet tall and she does nt even fertilize it nothing except cut the blooms and mine has spots on it and its making me mad i fertilize mine and i got nothing!!

Do you know anything about camellias??
it might be because of cold damage.maybe your neighbor has it in a more protected spot.





i would fertilize it. if it doesnt get better look for mites and apids. you can tell if there are mites if there is a webbing by the end of the leaves, and you can tell if there are aphids if there is a honey like sap on the leaves or there are small white bugs on the leaves
Reply:The spotting on the leaves could be an insect problem or a disease problem--either way it will not cause "boring". There are several insects and diseases that could atack Camellias. The insects can be controlled by the use of a systemic insecticides and the diseases can be controlled by the use of a fungicide.


You need to determine what you have attacking the trees. I would suggest taking a leaf sample with damage (maybe one of the small branches) to a local nursery and ask one of the nurserymen to help you identify what problem you may have and recommend a control.


There are controls that you can buy over the counter and apply yourself that will solve your problem. But the first thing is to determine the problem.








Preferred Conditions: Camellias prefer slightly acidic (Ph 6.0-6.5) and well drained but moist soil. If your garden soil doesn’t currently support the growth of camellias consider using an azalea potting mix in a large container and planting one of the more compact varieties mentioned below so you can still enjoy the graceful charm of the camellia without too much extra work. Camellia foliage will scald in full sun in hot summer weather so dappled shade is best.





Maintenance: Camellias should be pruned immediately after blooms fade as the shrub flowers on spring growth. Fertilize sparingly when new growth appears as camellias are slow growing and over fertilization can decrease the number of flowers. Thick mulch two-three inches thick is helpful as well because camellias are not drought tolerant.





Pests or Diseases: A fungus Glorerella cingulata can cause “dieback”; a problem for some camellias that causes first leaves and then branches to die. Be careful to remove any damaged branches that might give the fungus a place to enter and harm the camellia.


The other disease that can harm camellias is root rot and Camellia japonica is the most susceptible species while Camellia sasanqua and Camellia oleifera are more resistant which is why they are sometimes used as the rootstock for grafted cultivars
Reply:How to Grow Camellias and Their Care:





http://www.ehow.com/how_2034182_article-...
Reply:By all means, first follow Spam's advice and diagnose the problem. Besides going to a nursery, you could take a sample cutting to your local extension service.





If it turns out to be mites (a pretty common infestation), I've found spraying with a combination of Volck oil and Malathion with a couple of drops (no more) of dishwashing detergent added to be very effective. When applying it, be sure to spray primarily from *below* the leaves where the mites reside. Even though it's a pain in the neck to spray from below, you have to do so to get at the critters.
Reply:SOUNDS LIKE MITES PUT ABOUT A TABLESPOON OF LIQUID DISHWASHING DETERGENT IN A SPRAY BOTTLE AND SPRAY THE BUSH OR TREE AND MOST DAMAGING INSECTS WILL VACATE THE PREMISES.BET