Camillia gardening tip

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woodspirit1 Lake Toxaway, NC(Zone 7a) Apr 17, 2003

I get a magazine called "Carolina Country" which is really a propaganda piece from my electric Co-op. However, they always have a page near the back called "Hank's Gardening Guide" and here is what he said about camillias:
"Overwatering causes more trouble than any other factor when growing camellias. These plants can withstand a lot of dryness, and too little moisture in the soil is apparent before damage has been done. With wetness, damage seldom is apparent until the roots have rotted. It's rare indeed to bring such a plant back to health. Because of this problem, a soil mixture for camellias must be very porous, more so than for any other plant grown in Carolina gardens."
I had no idea that this was true, but it surely looks like planting azaleas and camillias close together is going to be detrimental for one or the other, as azaleas like a lot of water, just not boggy ground.

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jkom51 Oakland, CA(Zone 9b) Apr 17, 2003

Wow, that's a great tip -- thanks for passing it along!

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woodspirit1 Lake Toxaway, NC(Zone 7a) Apr 18, 2003

I was surprised too; I had never read that before.

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Pardancanda "down the Shore", NJ(Zone 7a) Apr 25, 2003

Have to disagree. Camellias need lots of water, particularly when starting to set flower buds. Good drainage of course is always essential. I expect that Azaleas would be perfect companions.

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woodspirit1 Lake Toxaway, NC(Zone 7a) Apr 25, 2003

hmmmmmm, well I was only quoting the horticulturist that writes for the Co-op magazine. Perhaps it would also be best to consult the horticulture agent at the Cooperative Extension Service in your area. It's listed under the state or in some cases, the county.

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Pardancanda "down the Shore", NJ(Zone 7a) Apr 25, 2003

woodspirit, thanks for sharing the article anyway. I just have had different experiences than "Hank". :-)

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woodspirit1 Lake Toxaway, NC(Zone 7a) Apr 26, 2003

Pardancanda, I'm glad you replied, because I was puzzled myself. When I lived in the deeper parts of the south, camillias were often mixed with azaleas. I lived in Savannah and Daytona and Wilmington, NC. I don't remember seeing Camillias in Atlanta.....

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Pardancanda "down the Shore", NJ(Zone 7a) Apr 26, 2003

woodspirit, they should be good companions, as you say!

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Larkie Camilla, GA(Zone 8a) Apr 26, 2003

Here in south GA, they ae planted together all over the place...Never thought about it..way of planting here, lol..
Larkie

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woodspirit1 Lake Toxaway, NC(Zone 7a) Apr 26, 2003

Blaaaaaaaaaaaattt

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