Question
QUESTION: Hi Ms Melissa,

 My neighborhood florist is selling several potted Camellia at an affordable price. I'm thinking of buying one but I heard that the plant thrives better in temperate regions and can be quite fussy. I intend to plant it in my indoor balcony which does not receive much direct sunlight and can get windy at times. Appreciate your advice pls.

ANSWER: Dear Alfredo, I think you will probably be able to do it.  Camellias are native to Japan which is about 30 degrees north latitude of your location, so try to avoid keeping it too hot.  It sounds like the fact that it is windy means that it is probably not too hot where you will be planting it.  The wind won't bother it much, and the camellia will appreciate not being in direct sunlight.  Where I live in Texas, they are generally planted on the north side so as not to get too much light.  They prefer acid conditions, can be allowed to dry out between watering once established, and may benefit from a heavy mulch around the base to lower temperature. (Most important in great heat or bright sunlight)  They bloom in the winter when the days are shorter, so you may have to artificially darken it to have blooms.  (Sorry, I'm not sure about the day lengths in the equator, perhaps you can let me know)  Are they blooming now?  I certainly think it would be worth a try, especially since you have much more advanced gardening skills than most people.  I frequently find myself completely unable to resist certain plants that are not hardy in my zone, and I may have to make adjustments.  I have a bottle palm, thatch palm, and a firespike, and night blooming jasmine among others that won't make it outside during the winter, so I keep hauling them inside during the freezes and haul them back out when it warms up.  They should become more hardy as they mature, and I can plant them at that point, but I can't imagine losing them.  So I would go for it because camellias are incredibly beautiful.  By the way, if you happen to see a Bob Hope Camellia, GET IT!!  They have enormous bright red fragrant single blooms.  It's my favorite one, but they're all gorgeous.  Good luck, Melissa

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QUESTION: Thanks for advice Ms Melissa. I'm just a newbie in gardening and with a voracious appetite to grow all sorts of plants. You have no idea how many plants are 'killed' by my questionable gardening skills. Btw do you have your own webpage like facebook group on gardening?

Answer
Dear Alfredo, You have no idea how many plants I have killed because of my love for them and lack of knowledge.  That's one of the ways we learn by trial and error.  One great source of information is the A&M Extension service.  They have information on just about everything related to gardening and animal husbandry.  No, I am not on facebook yet, but I plan to be soon.  I'm just a bit slow at times.  I will let you know when I am.  Melissa