What compost is best for camellias in pots?

This is a follow-up to my answer to "?

". In that answer, I suggested that compost made with grass clippings and leaves would best, and I also recommended a fertilizer with low nitrogen and no phosphorus. Now that I've had some time to read this question and see some of the answers, I have some more ideas. I'm not as enthusiastic about my original answer now. The nitrogen content of grass clippings is about 1%, which is not a lot compared to other forms of organic material that people use for compost. Grass clippings are usually a good fertilizer, but there are drawbacks -- they are acidic and leach potassium. Leaves are sometimes good for nitrogen, and they are not acidic or leaching. But they are very high in phosphorus, which can become a problem if the compost pile gets too rich in phosphorous.

Another drawback of grass clippings is that they may leave a chemical taste. My advice for those who do not want to use grass clippings is to make the compost from leaves, and get a little bit of grass clippings to add nitrogen (and possibly improve the leaching characteristics).

On the other hand, my first suggestion for a fertilizer for soil-less pots was a fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium but low nitrogen, low phosphorus, and low potassium. This may have been a mistake.

I had thought that fertilizer with low nitrogen would not harm the camellias. However, I now know that there are many plants that will prefer a fertilizer that is not as nutrient-rich, so perhaps it was a mistake to recommend a fertilizer with low nitrogen.

I am not yet completely sure how to recommend a fertilizer for soil-less pots. I suggest a fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but low nitrogen, low phosphorus, and low potassium. I recommend ammonium nitrate rather than urea, which has a higher nitrogen content and is more available, and liquid fish emulsion rather than liquid kelp emulsion, which has lower phosphorus and higher potassium.

It is not clear to me whether to use fertilizer in water or to sprinkle it on the soil, or mix it with the soil.

What is the best soil for camellias?

With any flowering plant, it is always important to choose a soil that is the right pH and is rich in organic matter.

When it comes to camellias, the best pH level for camellias is between 6.0 and 6.5, although, for the most part, camellias will adapt to slightly acidic soil.

Most plants prefer soil with a medium range of moisture, which is something that will vary year by year. The optimum moisture level for camellias varies by variety, but they can tolerate some drought in a dry growing area.

Camellias are shade plants that require well-lit conditions throughout the season, and are best when given partial shade. With a sunny location, the tree can grow up to six feet in height. However, camellias do fine growing in the sun as long as they are watered regularly during the growing season. It is not unusual for trees to flower for three seasons or more. Some of the best camellia varieties for northern climates bloom late in the fall. Others bloom in the spring or early summer.

Other plants that grow well with camellias include hostas, azaleas, geraniums, lobelias, and viburnums. Plant and Propagation. Camellias require little maintenance once established, but they do need occasional watering during the first few years to keep the roots well-watered. Watering twice a week is adequate.

During the growing season, there is little to no fertilizer that can be applied to the soil or foliage. But in early spring before the leaves have sprouted, a fertilizer can be applied. The recommended amount is one tablespoon per gallon. The fertilizer should be applied at a depth of one inch in the soil and should be added in several successive applications.

Camellias do not need to be divided to keep them healthy. Division is usually performed in late spring before the leaves are large enough to withstand cold weather. In order to maintain growth, dividing is necessary.

To keep pests away from the plant, some gardeners recommend planting camellias in a raised bed or in a circle around the base of the plant. They can also be planted along an existing fence. While they won't deter deer or birds, they will prevent rodents.

What potting mix for camellia?

I have a 20 gallon pot with a 4 inch diameter.

It's sitting in a shady area in my garden, under a large tree. I'd like to grow camellias, maybe three, and I was wondering what kind of potting mix would best? I looked online at various potting mixes that were supposedly for tropical or subtropical plants, but no luck.

I'm not sure how hardy camellias are here - probably not even half as hardy as raspberries, depending how cold it is where you live. My mom just buys corms, lets them grow up and puts them in water, and they grow into little plants.

The thing about corms, though, is that they don't produce roots very well, but they do have leaves and can go quite large. There are lots of different types, so I don't know what combination of parts or proportions you'll need.

You can probably find camellias as corms if you look at what's available at your local garden center, or go to a reputable plant nursery and ask them for the information. If you're going to buy a bag of potting mix, just mix the right proportion of different parts until it looks nice and is not too dense.

One good resource for this stuff that you may find useful is your local extension office. They're generally going to be more interested in what's good for your area than what is good for your specific situation (unless you say you live in Alaska). You can try asking, "Hey, can you recommend some corms to buy?"
As a follow-up, corms are usually divided up into cormlets and cormels. A cormlet is simply the whole thing when it's unopened, while a cormel is cut open, leaving about 3 inches of the bottom intact.

What is the best potting soil for Camellia sinensis?

I am looking for the best potting soil for Camellia sinensis.

I have not planted it yet, but I have ordered it from Amazon. I have a few questions: ? Can I add compost to it? How many gallons of water do I need to water it each day? And how do I keep it out of direct sunlight? Thanks so much for your help!

Replied by Kari Ann Smith:Hello. The best potting soil for cacti and succulents is one that has clay. I suggest that you try some garden stores that sell good quality potting soil. They are usually available online and you can try them out.

You can add compost if you like. You should be able to find a potting mix at your local nursery. You can add some sand to the mix to help keep the soil moist while you're planting it. The best way to keep the potting mix out of direct sunlight is to either place it in a container with clear plastic wrap or wrap it in clear plastic. You don't want to get the mix too wet or it will start to break down.