Flower Garden Tips: Water Becomes Prime Need of Camellias

In addition to supplying moisture, water taken up by the plant distributes and aids the plant in utilizing nutrients, whether artificially applied or already present in the soil. Each year innumerable questions are asked concerning leaf damage and bud drop. Often the cause involves poor drainage, over or under fertilization or an undesirable location. In each case, however, water, either too little or too much has been the deciding agent.

Critical Period

Right now, with camellias in their first flush of new growth, the fate of next season's buds and blossoms and leaves is being substantially influenced by the water plants receive. Normally, in this area, spring rainfall supplies a good deal of the necessary moisture. But a dry spring has made consistent applied watering from now on through the summer a necessity if plants are to survive, much less do well. More and more camellia owners are urged to observe their individual, plants and work out their own watering method and schedule. For from one garden to the next, and even within one small lot, conditions vary because of exposure, shade from other plantings or buildings, and elevation.

In addition, plant growth habits, leaf density, and plant size govern the amount of water required by each individual specimen.

Influencing Factors

For instance, a camellia which gets morning sun and afternoon shade usually requires much less water than one unsheltered most of the day. Humidity and wind, in addition to sunshine, govern the amount of water needed by your plants. Small plants and leggy sparsely foliated plants, such asreticulatas, need less water because there is less evaporation through the leaves. This accounts for the fact a dense growing variety may require at least twice as much water as a more sparsely foliated camellia of the same size growing beside it. Condition and texture of the soil also influences the amount of water required to keep any particular camellia healthy in the warm rainless days ahead. Dry looking leaves, drooping more than is usual for the variety, usually are a sign the plant is dry and in need of water.

Rules To Follow

How much and how often camellias should be watered is a question which puzzles amateur and professional camellia growers alike. While no definite watering rule can be given, the following more or less elastic watering schedule has given good growth and bud set in this area:

1. Once a week give your plants a thorough deep root watering, being sure even the lower roots are saturated.

2. In between the root watering, give your camellias a leaf shower bath or two. This cleanses the foliage and some of the water drops down to the base of the plant.

3. Avoid overwatering Water trapped around the root ball may cause sour soil and root rot if drainage is less than ideal, or if foliage is sparse, not providing an above the ground escape for the excess moisture.

4. No rule, however, should supersede personal, on the spot good judgment. If your camellia looks dry, water it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia