Spending spree #8

Rosemary, I tried a Camellia tree once and wasn't successful. They are so beautiful that I'm tempted to try again. Your plan to have consecutive blooming is a really good one and I'll be very interested in your progress. How long do you grow them inside and what time of the year will you put them out?

Good question, Teri. It's not a very simple answer. Apparently different cultivars have very different properties, and the specific research hasn't been done. The plants are especially vulnerable to drying and cold temperatures until they are at least three years old. That is regardless of the coldness rating. Cold tolerance for the bush and for the buds might also not be the same, so I wanted a few that reputedly have cold tolerance in both the bud and the plant. Unlike the instructions for southern gardens, it is necessary to plant in the spring to allow the roots to establish before winter stress. I didn't spring for the three gallon three year old pots, because of price. We are also fortunate to have a cold living room with lots of windows, so my house won't bake them if they don't get planted, and they might overwinter on the deck where they can be brought in for the worst nights. I plan to plant as many as possible though, and use lots of much, and burlap, or a product I want to learn about that is NOT plastic sheeting, but has pores in it. Deer LOVE camellias, so that might be an issue too. I'm only planting one outside a fenced in area where i hope they won't roam. I'll post a few of my locations on the Garden projects thread.

I might try one or two on the front porch after I do more research on their requirements. Thanks for your input, Rosemary.

That camellia is a beauty! I like your idea of planting many, to see what does well.....

I guess this project is my idea of gardening on the edge.

New thread
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1235170/