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Camellias get fireblight?

17 years ago

Is it possible? Someone on another forum suggested my camellia problem may be fireblight.

Comments (6)

  • 17 years ago

    Yes, camellia flowers can suffer from Camellia Fire Blight. See the link with pictures below.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Clemson Univ - Camellia Fire Blight

  • 17 years ago

    I'm sorry, I should have been more specific in my original post. My camellia is the variety that flowers in November. It has no flowers now, but the leaves look very similar to say, apple tree leaves that are fireblight infected. So can the Camellia Fire Blight attack outside the flowering window, affecting the leaves as well?
    {{gwi:506513}}

  • 17 years ago

    The damage usually happens on flowers and you should be able to detect fungal damage. This damage seems to be affecting leaves so I would venture that it is insufficient soil moisture or perhaps winter damage. If you can get a ladder to look up there, see if you see sclerotia on the leaves or just browned out leaves.

  • 17 years ago

    Camellias can get *flower* blight but not fire blight. The flower blight only infects the flowers.

    As said in the previous post, likely your problem is water stress and/or winter damage. I see the damage is worst on top but also skims down the right hand side of the shrub.

  • 17 years ago

    Looks like drought injury to me as well. Not a very congenial-looking planting site. Try moving the grass back farther and maintaining a 4" deep organic mulch (kept well away from the trunk), watering liberally during dry spells.

    The appearance of the turf and the composition of the native vegetation behind indicates a droughty, infertile soil. Sampling your soil and having it tested may reveal a glaring nutrient deficiency that if successfully addressed would great enhance results. Ask your state cooperative extension service for help with soil testing.

  • 17 years ago

    Regarding conditions similar to fireblight there has been a problem with sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum) on camellia nursery stock in California. If it begins to appear your shrub really does have some kind of blight try taking representative samples (in sealed jars or baggies, in case it's contagious) to local cooperative extension office if possible. They should be able to tell you what it is.

    For contact information search "[your state] cooperative extension".

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