From late November to February traditional dormant oils can be used to control scale. As the weather warms up Ultra-Fine, a nearly year-round pesticidal oil, may be used to control sucking insects such as aphids, scale and spider mite. (Always follow label instructions.)

Best time to prune camellias for size, shape, or to reduce scale. (Dead branches may be pruned at any time.)

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Camellia Society’s February Camellia Workshop on A Sat. Afternoon in February is a good source for inexpensive newly grafted plants. Check newspaper for date. (February is the best month for grafting.)

If very hard freezes are forecasted, consider watering your camellias in advance of the freeze to minimize damage.

Mid January — Petal blight season begins. Collect fallen petals to reduce future blight.

Fertilize in early March to support spring growth. Along the coast void "azalea-camellia" fertilizers which are better suited to areas with a less acidic soil—we suggest a combination of a slow release fertilizer such as Sta-Green’s Nursery Special (12-6-6 or 12-4-8) and Ironite, a mild soil acidifier and source of usable iron.

Air layering can be done from mid March through April to propagate new plants from older bushes.

First weeks of April — February grafts ready for inspection and hardening off.

New growth likely to encourage insects. Aphids (symptom—smaller than usual new leaves) and scale (shells and cotton-like threads on underside of leaf; yellow mottle on top) can be controlled with a good washing; insecticidal oils such as Ultra-Fine; or a systemic such as Cygon. (Do not use systemics on camellias in bloom.)

Spring droughts may make it desirable to water your camellias—especially young fast-growing ones.

Continue collecting fallen petals to reduce petal blight.

Continue watering as necessary. Pine needle (or oak leaf) mulchs are highly desirable to reduce watering requirements.

Spider mites (red paprika-like specks along the central vein of the leaf) may become a problem in dry warm weather. Along with Ultra-Fine oil, Malatheon spray is recommended for control of spider mites. Very large camellias may require heavy pruning (best done in winter) for sprays to be effective.

Camellias will appreciate a feeding of cotton seed meal (a natural fertilizer usually rated 6-1-1) in June to prepare them for their second spurt of growth in August. (Or alternatively use about ¼ dosage of the Ironite and fertilizer combination recommended for March.)

From late June to late July as spring growth ripens you may begin collecting cuttings. Cuttings can also be taken in September.

Camellia Society  meetings in recess for the summer.

Camellia seeds mature beginning in late August. For best results plant fresh seed immediately.

Disbud flower buds for larger blooms later in year.

Gibbing developing flower buds will increase eventual flower size and shorten the time between bud and bloom. From late August to October try gibbing a few buds a week—but never more than a quarter of the whole bush.

Camellia Society meetings resume the third Tuesday in August.

Summer cuttings likely to have begun rooting and may be potted up if that is the case.

Sever and pot-up any air layers made in March or April before the first frosts of the season.

Continue checking for insect damage and watering as long as dry weather continues.

Weekend before Thanksgiving Nov.2006 — normal date for Annual Camellia Show.

Excellent time to plant camellias — well-drained soil in light shade best.

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Updated 11/30/04
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