Camellia 'Shishi Gashira' (Fall Blooming) Feeding Instructions
Camellias can be fed up to 3 times a year. Fertilize your camellia just as new foliage growth begins to emerge in Spring, and again in ealry Summer, and early Fall. If your cameliia is a fall-flowering variety (Sasanqua), you might want to skip the early Fall application so as not to force to much new growth tthat might cover blooms. Use a slow-release, acidifying fertilizer. Avoid extreme amounts of nitrogen (the first number in fertilizer) and phosphorous (such as "bloom boosters") Refer to product label for application rates and instruction.
Camellia 'Shishi Gashira' (Fall Blooming) Pruning Instructions
Camellias do not require pruning. However, you may decide to prune your camellia to maintain fullness, or to rejuvinate an old plant that has become spindly. For younger plants it is best to do some shaping just after the blooms have faded (late Spring or early Fall depending on the variety). It is okay during any time of year to remove a stray or broken branch. Cease any pruning after July and you are almost guaranteed not to effect the next season's bloomage. If your older camellia has become overgrown, rejuvination pruning may be necessary. They can be cut back as far as necessary, even to a stump, and will regenerate into a beautiful plant. Rejuvination pruning should be done in late Winter, just before new growth begins to emerge. Camellias, whether young or old, may also be trained to grow as a small tree. To tree-form your camellia, do so in late Winter by simply pruning away lower branches and/or stems to a point that is satisfying in appearance. This may also help to rejuvinate older camelias that have become leggy.
Camellia 'Shishi Gashira' (Fall Blooming) Pest Instructions
Regarding camellias, there are more problems with disease than with insects. Most problems with camellias are the result of poor drainage, or poor location. Drainage problems can be solved by amending the soil before planting or planting in raised beds. If camellias in poor locations cannot be moved, try to shelter them from winds and mid-afternoon sun. Camellia petal blight starts with a brown spot on a petal and spreads, covering the entire flower. To prevent this, remove the fallen flowers from beneath the plant. If the problem is serious, remove all mulch from around the plant and replace it with fresh mulch. If only the edges of the petals are brown, sun- or windburn is usually the cause and the condition will quickly correct itself once the conditions are corrected. Other problems may include "bud drop", which may be normal for the plant, but it can also result from over or under-watering, or moisture retention in the soil. "Dieback" can cause new growth to die, followed by cankers forming on the branches. This is most common in wet weather, especially in the South. Cut out the diseased branches and dispose of them. Then spray with a fungicide during the period of spring leaf drop. Because it can be difficult to diagnose the exact cause of a problem, the best approach is good gardening practices, including sufficient water, good drainage, mulching, feeding, and pest control.