Problem with Camelia - Bronze Foliage

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kru Mount Pleasant, SC(Zone 8b) Apr 18, 2007

Hi There,

Can anyone help me witha problem I'm having with my Camelia? After it bloomed this winter, the leaves started to turn a bronze color. We've been feeding/treating it the same as we always have, so now we don't know what to try. It is trying to put out some new green leaves, but so many of the old ones are discolored it has me worried. I've attached a photo of the old bronze foliage and the new green shoots that are starting to grow. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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growin Beautiful, BC(Zone 8b) Apr 18, 2007

That certainly is a discerning discoloration. I'd check the undersides of the leaves for spidermites. it kinda reminds me of water damage either in hot sun or sharp freeze. The only suggestion I have is to contact Camellia Forest Nursery http://davesgarden.com/gwd/c/298/ in NC and see if they have a suggestion.

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kru Mount Pleasant, SC(Zone 8b) Apr 18, 2007

Thanks. Now that you mention it, it did dip down into the high 20's here recently. Which isn't really that unusual in itself, but I think it was around 80 just a day ot two before. Maybe it was too sudden a drop. I will check for the mites like you suggested and see if that Nursery can help, too. Thanks again.

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growin Beautiful, BC(Zone 8b) Apr 18, 2007

Ok, that sounds about right. I'd say it was the sharp temperature change.

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stressbaby Fulton, MO Apr 18, 2007

That is exactly what my camellia leaves looked like this winter. We had an unseasonably warm late fall and early winter, and I suspect that they did not have enough time to go dormant or acclimate. The first hard freeze we had turned all of the leaves on all three plants exactly that color. I have no sign of new growth and I think I lost all three plants.

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HollyAnnS Dover, PA(Zone 6b) Apr 19, 2007

Wind burn will make Holly leaves look much like that. Is it planted in an area that gets a lot of wind?

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kru Mount Pleasant, SC(Zone 8b) Apr 19, 2007

It's pretty sheltered from the wind, but I'll bet it does have something to do with the weather on one way or another. I guess if there are some new green leaves starting to grow there's still hope. Thanks.

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HollyAnnS Dover, PA(Zone 6b) Apr 20, 2007

My Dad's Holly tree looks just like that even though we sprayed it with an anti-desiccant. His is in a very windy area.

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