I got this great article on air layering in a news letter this morning. I thought you all might enjoy it too, so I am posting the link.
Have fun. If I can find my sphagnum moss, I think I may try it this afternoon.
http://camelliaexpress.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/air-layering-camellias-step-by-step-by-gene-phillips/
Camellia Growing, Propagating and Enjoying
Thanks, Ibartoo---
Very good site--just that I did not do all the bark removing--just nicked the stem.
My stems were not fat enough to do all that. No bigger than a pencil.
My moss-ball is tiny compared to the one this man did.
I could re-do them?????? But--like I wrote before--one of the stemss broke in half--
almost--and I have it splinted.
Gita
ibartoo: Those photos are really excellent. What I don't understand is: Is the idea that you seal the covering of the air-layered spot (plastic wrap and aluminum foil in this example) so tightly that it never needs to be watered? Because I realize the moss isn't supposed to dry out. And even if the initial moisture doesn't evaporate, wouldn't the roots that form suck up the water? I like the idea of air layering, but if I have to be constantly unwrapping and rewrapping -- well, it isn't going to happen.
Happy, I guess it doesn't ever dry out. It seem to me that it would mold or something though. I haven't ever tried it though. I have always taken cuttings. My grandparents used to put mason jars over the cuttings until they rooted.
Gita, I wouldn't re-do them. I would just try it with what you have done. Especially with the one you have splinted.
I enjoy the newsletter I get from that site. There is almost always something interesting in it.
I have to be gone for the weekend, but next week, I will try taking a few cuttings and posting some pictures of what I do with them. I have 1 that is being swallowed by a wild grape vine. I may start with that one.
Hope everyone has a great night.
Linda
I found three little growing cuttings of April Blush in the greenhouse yesterday. Yahoo. Forgot I had them. Now if only I knew which April Blush is on my big plants.....dog ate tags. LOL
Northeast Forum has a great thread and pics of Camelias from a recent show...fyi
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1300858/
camelia ,the only competitor of roses in beauty! i have several camelia plants and have encountered
some leaf discoloration,leaf drop, but not on all. The one product that i found that works is southern
ag.products. LIQUID COPPER FUNGICIDE, . i have not been able to erradicate all of the problem,but most.
I believe if i were able to attend to my plants all summer with regular spray apps. the problem would be
resolved.
you have some beautiful camelias,wish i had more.hope this information maybe some help.
georgiacat
I bought, on impulse a couple of years ago, the lone "Winter's Snowman" camelia from a local nursery. You see, my father always coveted camelias back when Japonica was the only type available, and I often heard his sad tales of "a cold snap" getting the buds.
So, I thought I'd try this new type. Boy, am I glad that I did! The negative is that there are often too many buds. The positive is that it is a beautiful, blooming EVERGREEN, that is dependable, lush, and surprises with that lovely white show when everything else is done for the year. The leaves themselves are elegant, don't you think? I mean, compared with most other evergreens.
Yep, consider me a convert. I like to plant stuff really well/extravagantly, then leave it alone, well, except for fertilizing, watering, and the occasional weeding. You know, I dislike most perennials as they need dividing or some such thing. I'd rather PLANT or throw in bulbs, than spend that time dividing up stuff. Because, I like the job to be DONE, and my healthy Winter's Snowman is perfect for me!
Finally--I have mine blooming so i can share with you all.
This is a "Bob Hope" Camellia (1972)--with the most amazing blooms ever. It is evergreen.
My shrub is just bursting forth as we speak--a sight to behold.
Funny how the spent blooms just drop off--perfectly OK looking.
It is like I picked them off myself....makes me want to float them in a glass saucer....
maybe they would last a bit longer....
This shrub was cut back 3 years ago to the stubs. It =had some kind of leaf blotchy issue--
maybe a Fungus. Wrote eo my Camellia Guru, Mike, in GA--and he said to cut it back.
It re-grew so fast!This is just the 3rd year after the "butchering".
Gita
I am wondering if mine does not get enough sun. It bloomed in January to the start of Feb, then nothing. It is on the north side and get a small amount of sun.
Mine get full sun all summer but plenty of water, and just morning sun inside in the Winter and that is when they bloom. They seem to grow in full sun and lots of water better....they seldom bloom for me in the summer.
That doesn't help you much,sorry. JB
Marie---there are many kinds of camellias.
Mine normally blooms in March. Everything is late this year...
The buds set the fall before ans slowly swell during the winter--then--BAM!!!
Gita
So would they do well in moist soil? Mine is living, but wonder if it would like more sun.