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ShrubsCamelliasGarden
hzdeleted_41200941

Camellia bonsai??

6 years ago

Anyone else here from the UK with a Camellia bonsai? I've got one which suffered a fair bit being delivered to me in winter 3 years ago, & then kept indoors for 2 months at which point it was pruned back & placed into a bonsai pot. Sadly it really set it back that first year, then last year it did pick up a bit but would grow 3 leaves only to lose 2 older ones so never really fleshed out much.




So this is how it was shortly after it arrived.


Then 3 months later once into it's bonsai pot (only thought much later I should have left it a LOT longer before repotting :( ) It then proceeded to lose almost all those leaves & only produced about another 6 at most in the season. It seemed to be a case of grow 5 leaves and lose 4 each time. :(

Incredibly to my amazement it actually then flowered in December last year despite the lack of leaves.



This was a month or two back where since then it's put on a good bit of new growth thankfully, but I'm now trying to figure out the best feeding for it - is it true that these should only be fed up until about Sept and then not fed after to allow for flowering? I've a vague idea I probably fed it with tomato feed as late as mid Oct last year as the weather was mild. Also, is it normal for them to have this leaf drop yearly?


I presume since it flowered it must be relatively happy so I'm keen to do everything possible to get it to where it can at least get properly pruned into a better shape without losing flowers if possible. Truly appreciate any info & suggestions on best care for it :). Thanks


PS - I should perhaps say that I do have a local bonsai expert but he's more into evergreen trees than flowering shrubs plus I only get to see him at best twice yearly for potting & pruning.

Featured Answer
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Well, I am not into bonsai but here are my comments... Is it normal to have leaf drop yearly? Yes, all Camellias shed their leaves in the Spring either immediately before or during the flush of new growth. Camellia leaves typically turn yellow and then drop but they can also turn brown before they drop. Regarding fertilizing: and I am speaking about non-bonsai camellias planted in the ground: The American Camellia Society recommends using a slow release fertilizer with a NPK Ratio close to 4-8-8 with minor elements. That would be a good choice for established camellias where you do not want to promote much more growth. As for the number of fertilizer applications -when planted in the ground- they suggest three applications: during the first part of March, followed by a second application during the first part of May, and a final third application during the first part of July. The July application would last until September or so. For camellias planted in the ground, that would prevent making the plant be in "grow mode" (due to high nitrogen fertilizer levels) just as early frosts and cold temperatures arrive in or after September. Since camellias are not exactly dormant during winter and if you keep the plant protected from the cold, if you want to fertilize in September, choose a zero nitrogen (that is, feed it only potassium and phosphorus) or the 4-8-8 fertilizer (since it is not thaaaat much nitrogen anyway).

    Comments (8)

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