Overwintering Camellia

Camellia are lovely, fascinating trees. And they are adaptable. My biggest problem with wintering Camellia indoors, under lights, was that I had too many plants, and had difficulty keeping to the watering schedule the Camellia needed. It needed more frequent watering than the orchids, and got too dry, several times, while in the orchid collection. As a result, it failed to thrive. But if you can keep on top of the watering, there is no reason the Camellia won't survive in your light garden.

In the future, leaving it outdoors in autumn, until serious cold threatens, may be sufficient to set flower buds, and you may be just fine keeping it indoors for your future winters.
Carol...the allowing out later in the cold...is what Jerry Meislik told me to do with my Kumquat. Give it chill time, but not freezing...then when temps don't permit it bring it in with the tropicals. I did two step it into the greenhouse on super cold nights for protection with the temps control. Then when it became in the greenhouse more than the bench...it came inside. So what Leo says...makes a good game plan for you.
 
I found this information from a grower of Camellia

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a, where this Camellia variety is not reliably winter hardy, you'll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

In fact these are so lovely I decided to buy one for myself and give it a try

I think what I might do is as Leo suggests, leave it out on the bench in the fall and bring it in with the tropicals then bring it in and put it under the lights with them.
 
I found this information from a grower of Camellia



In fact these are so lovely I decided to buy one for myself and give it a try

I think what I might do is as Leo suggests, leave it out on the bench in the fall and bring it in with the tropicals then bring it in and put it under the lights with them.
Thanks for confirming, good to know, although you know I'd never doubt your advice @Leo in N E Illinois . I had always wanted one, but didn't think I could grow one in my climate. Luckily, I guess, the Camellia was the only tree I was interested in from the company my Christmas gift card had. Glad you're getting one Sandy, the big bold flowers were so cheery to see in January.
 
Thanks for confirming, good to know, although you know I'd never doubt your advice @Leo in N E Illinois . I had always wanted one, but didn't think I could grow one in my climate. Luckily, I guess, the Camellia was the only tree I was interested in from the company my Christmas gift card had. Glad you're getting one Sandy, the big bold flowers were so cheery to see in January.

I got a purple dawn cultivar coming and yes I have found as I grow older, I have a greater appreciation for flowers.
I never liked having cut flowers much when I was younger (appreciate them now especially as a cheery room thing in the winter) cause you watch them die but the ones that bloom and the plant is still alive I love.
 
I got a purple dawn cultivar coming and yes I have found as I grow older, I have a greater appreciation for flowers.
I never liked having cut flowers much when I was younger (appreciate them now especially as a cheery room thing in the winter) cause you watch them die but the ones that bloom and the plant is still alive I love.
Purple dawn sounds intriguing. (I have a purple problem). Mind sharing where you are getting it from?
 
I do have an attic, but they need light even in dormancy and the attic is dark. My OCD husband would have a fit if I left a light on up there.
Maybe LED s would b ok with him?
Low cost. Low risk. 💁‍♂️
 
My purple dawn just arrived. Looks pretty healthy and its bigger than I thought.

Anyone know how well these air layer? lol
 
My Yuletide is setting buds. Are these winter blooming buds, or maybe it will bloom this fall? It was blooming when I received it in January of this year. camellia bud.jpg
 
I forgot about this thread since there is a new Camellia overwintering thread. Just to update, I have acquired a few more. A "Hot Flash" that bloomed earlier this winter, a "Buttons and Bows"that is blooming currently and a Shi Shi Gashira that I can't find a picture of. All doing fine inside under the lights. hot flash.jpgbuttons and bows..jpg
 
Oh and this Roma Risorta. It had already bloomed when I received it, looking forward to next year. Roma_Risorta_2_compact.jpg
 
OK, OK..............I'll get a couple in the near future.
Stop being so pushy. ;)
 
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