Growing Camellias?

I have purchased 2 camellias for my yard and need some tips on planting them properly. I've heard never plant a $50.00 plant in a $5.00 hole, so any clues to preparing a proper area for my camellias?

Growing Camellias?
Pick a shaded/semi shaded position. Water the plants the night before you are to plant them. Dig the hole twice as wide as the pot size of the plant. On planting remove plant from the pot, tease out outside roots with fingers. If you have any roots growing around the pot instead of downwards tease these out as well. Place plant in the planting hole (don't let the roots dry out, plant immediately), making sure that after the plant is planted the 'soil mark' on the trunk is at the same level as when the plant was in the pot. (Important)





I mix bagged compost with the soil from the hole and use this to refill the hole. If you have a clay soil, mix in some gypsum at the recommend rate at the same time.





Water very well, (it is important to remove air trapped in the soil). If you have some compost or hay mulch it well. Water every day for the first few weeks. Don't over water but never let it dry out the first few years. Once established you can give it fertilizer.





Do not fertilize at planting. I use a sea weed extract (ours is called seasol but could be under a different name in your country), this helps with transplant shock and encourages root growth. I use it for all my plantings, it seems to make things thrive.





Camellias are pretty tough, so you shouldn't have too much trouble. Don't worry if you PH isn't acid mine are growing in slightly alkaline soil and have been doing well for years
Reply:You're lucky! The acid ground there is great for camellias.





I'd get a bag of good potting soil and mix it with the earth that you bring out of the hole. (Your hole should be deeper and larger than the root ball of your plant)





Mix the potting soil 50/50 with earth soil and re-fill around the root ball. I always like to have the root ball sit on the unamended soil and then dig a little trench around the rootball. This allows water to move away from the rootball, but allows water to go to the roots as they grow into the mended soil. This is particularly important with container grown plants.





now you have a high dollar hole. Enjoy your camellias!





PS- Forgot! Dont plant them too deep! the top of the current rootball should be just above the finished grade!