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We're having a few problems with our camellia at the moment so I'm keen for anyone to help identify the problem and offer any suggestions for how to fix it. If the problem can only be solved by using chemicals then so be it, but we would rather a more organic solution if one exists.
After finishing another magnificent seasonal flourish tender green leaves began to sprout in early spring. No sooner had they appeared then this brown began to invade them like a camellia bubonic plague. Now most of the plant is covered in these hideous brown spots and while the camellia doesn't appear to be dying nor leaves falling off, it certainly isn't looking like a picture of health.
It resides in a garden bed that receives mostly afternoon sun, if any at all, and has never suffered from this before. I initially diagnosed this as sunburn but after watching the sun's movement through the sky don't believe that this could be the reason.
C'mon all you camellia lovers...have your plants ever suffered from this before and how can it be rectified. I'd love to hear your comments.
Comments
Hi Stuart,
I have seen this sort of damage previously on other plants but I'm having trouble remembering what it is. It doesn't look like insect or disease damage and more like waterspotting and sun damage. We live in New Jersey USA and our camellia leaves don't seem to be as light a color as yours - more of a reddish darker green if I remember correctly. But this may be because of the type of cultivar.
I was wrong! I Googled camellia disease and unfortunately your camellia probably has sudden oak death disease.
Despite its name it also infect camellias but luckily it usually does not cause plant death. There are not pesticides to control the disease.
Good luck with your plants.
Posted by: Ki | November 29, 2006 9:40 PM
My Gardenia plant has a lot of buds but they turn brown before opening. I am heartbroken.
I live in Malibu California temps are mild.
Posted by: Marta Graham | December 20, 2008 6:58 AM
My gardenia plant has tones of buds but they turn yellow and then they fall before blooming.
Please help
Posted by: Marta Graham | December 20, 2008 7:00 AM