What can I do to save my transplanted camelia?.

Sorry I have not got the answer, but the same thing happened to me, I had a beautiful Camelia in a big tub, which lived in the conservatory in the winter and flowering season and then went outside for the Summer, mine was about 6ft. so I thought time to plant it in a suitable site, but in side 2 weeks it had died! I am wondering if they just don't like being disturbed? 4 years on my husband asked me how have I got a Bay growing in the back garden when I went to investigate it is exactly where I transplanted my Camelia and I am wondering if it has sprouted off the old root. It is only about 6 inches high at the moment, not long discovered. It is evergreen like the Bay but I am quite sure on studdying it it is the Camelia.

You could try Stress Guard or similar Alan but it should really have been used at the time of moving and as, I presume you are in early summer, I think you probably moved it at the wrong end of the year. You should have moved to the UK - lol.

However, as Telme8 says, not all is completely lost (yet). The trauma of being moved can with many plants, particularly larger ones, cause them to go totally dormant for a season. It has happened to me with a pear, a magnolia and others. So even if you think it has died, don't dig it up for compost yet. It may well kick back in next season (whenever that is in Oz).

John.

Camellia generally don't like to be moved, or pruned, but having said that, if i were you, i think i would hard prune now especailly as the root ball was a bit on the small side, this will false the plants energy into the root system, and encorage new growth, and help prevent rocking. for you this is the start of the growing season, although not the best time of year for moving plants - you may just get away with it if you keep it very well watered. i also agree with John Stress Guard certainly won't hert, even at this late stage. another reason for leaf yellowing is soil type with these, are you awear they are Acidic? would also be a very good idea to insure plenty of ericaous compost dug around the base in it's new posstion, and a thick mulch with composted bark (this has high Acid ph) this may also give your plant a kick start, and a feed with acid lovers plant food will also help. - good luck.

Camelia actually don't mind a hard prune every now and then, but you should always do it after the plant has flowered. After flowering the plant will divert all of it's energy in to producing more leaf growth and will produce leaves on the leaf nodules where it has been pruned. You have probably confused it as it was using its energy at this time of year to produce bud. Give it a chance, you may not have murdered it just yet LOL. Use your finger nail and scrape a bit of the bark off to the wood underneath, if the wood is still green then the plant is still alive. As Majeekahead says, give it plenty of ericaceaous compost, leaf mould and bark, this will give it a flying start and give it a liquid feed in the Spring.

hi Andrea, long time no chat, hope all is well, your advice is good, but did you know Alan is in Austraila? which kinda changes things, am I right in thinking Alan, that it is late spring/early summer where you are, in which case your plant should have just finished flowering? which if you are going to prune, as Andrea has said, it is the best time, but moving this time of year is not so good for a Camelia, better in Autumn, but what is done is done, can just try to make the best of it. Good luck Alan, hope it survives.

Sorry, i always do that, assume that all members are from the UK, doh!
Obviously adjust the seasons to suit your country and time of year

Just like to report on transplanted camelia. I pruned it severly and mulched with pine cone bits. Then I watered it well all through the summer. It is alive and well and covered with buds. Thanks to all the people who offered suggestions.
Alan