Soil too wet? Plant just too tender? Most wild camellia species are not hardy.

I don't know its full range of tolerances but my C. lutchuensis has taken lows in the mid-20's F for two winters without a problem. I think some of the posters on this forum grow the species further north in the southeastern U.S. The previous question about water is one to consider.

Bboy and Serenoa,

Thanks for your thoughts. Conditions, I believe are god for this Cam. I grow another 20 japonica, retic, sas, etc.. just fine. This one started life in South Bay of SF dropping just the right side of the plant. You see, I have trained it against a wall. I think it's just too tender. Water is fine with well drained soil. I can tell it likes it most of the year because it leafs out, greens up and buds.