- How do I treat frost damage on a camellia?
- Where should I overwinter my camellia?
- How do I take care of my camellia in winter?
Even if the camellia is often traded as hardy, most species only tolerate a little frost. As such, it is not uncommon for camellias to occasionally freeze or suffer major frost damage when forced to overwinter in the garden.
The camellia only tolerates temperatures down to -5°C
Many camellia varieties tolerate temperatures down to about - 5 °C, at least for a short period of time. It shouldn't get much colder unless you've acquired a really hardy new variety. Freezing winds and/or a wet winter are major risk factors for a camellia's survival in the field. She should definitely be protected from that.
How do I treat frost damage on a camellia?
First, protect your camellia from further damage. If possible, move the plant to a more sheltered spot. With a potted plant this is certainly not a problem. If, on the other hand, the camellia is outdoors in already frozen ground, then wrap the plant loosely with a special plant fleece or with bubble wrap. Any pruning should only be done in late spring.
Where should I overwinter my camellia?
Ideally, you overwinter a camellia in a pot frost-free. The same applies to a young plant that is still sensitive to frost. Perhaps you have a slightly heated greenhouse or a cool conservatory, then place your camellia there. The temperature should be around + 5 °C, in no case warmer than 12 °C. A camellia needs a certain cold stimulus, otherwise it won't bloom.
How do I take care of my camellia in winter?
The camellia is an evergreen plant, so it needs enough water to survive even in winter. However, the required amount is less than in summer. However, very calcareous tap water is not very suitable, because the camellia prefers a slightly acidic environment. Fertilizing is not necessary during the winter break.
The essentials in brief:
- overwinter young camellias and potted plants frost-free
- winterize older camellia to prevent frost damage
- slight frost (up to - 5 °C) for a short time usually harmless
tips
Most camellia species tolerate mild frost, at least for a short time.