How to Feed Camellia

Camellias require appropriate feeding to look their best.

Camellias are beautiful flowers with multiple petals on each bloom. If you wish to grow these successfully, you need to follow a consistent feeding schedule and use the right kind and amount of fertilizer. These flowers have specific feeding requirements for optimal growth and performance. Not following the proper feeding schedule may result in the decline, or even death of your camellias.

Things You'll Need

• Cottonseed meal
• Camellia fertilizer

Instructions

1. Water the plants thoroughly the day before you plan to fertilize them. As with many flowering plants, you should water them at the soil level, avoiding getting water on the blooms.

2. Apply cottonseed meal to first-year plants. North Carolina State University Extension suggests that this or a once-only light application of a slow release fertilizer should be all you use that first year--over-fertilization the first year may create leggy plants. NC State University Extension recommends using 8 to 16 oz. of the meal per camellia plant.

3. Use an appropriate ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Young plants benefit from green-growth stimulating nitrogen, so, according to the American Camellia Society, you'd want to use a fertilizer with a higher first number or a balanced fertilizer. Older plants may benefit more from smaller amounts of iron versus phosphorous and potassium. The American Camellia Society also recommends using fertilizer that contains other elements, such as iron and copper.

4. Apply fertilizer once the spring thaw has occurred and the ground is warming. Then again about a month later (this will be May in most regions), and a final time toward the middle of the summer. Avoid fertilizing camellias when they are dormant--according to the Orange County Camellia Society (in California) a rule of thumb is to avoid fertilizing after September 1 (this may be sooner if you live in a cooler climate). They say that camellias may die if fertilized during this time.

5. Fertilize on mild, overcast days to avoid burning the plant roots. Follow the exact directions on the package regarding the amount to use per plant (it can vary, depending on the kind and brand). Water the plants after fertilizing to disperse the fertilizer equally in the soil around the plants and make sure it gets down to the roots (this is applicable whether using a liquid or a granular fertilizer).

References

• American Camellia Society: Fertilizing Camellias
• Orange County Camellia Society: Camellia Culture
• North Carolina State University Extension: Camellia Care