Question
Hi Gill--I live in Carmel California where the soil is very sandy and quite alkaline. I have put my camellias in tubs to try to control the soil, but ALL of them have developed problems over the past year. Their leaves droop (even when adequately watered), many turn brown and drop off, and on two bushes the leaves have curled as though they are afflicted with sucking insects. I have: changed the soil, added sulfur to try to counteract the pH problem, sprayed for insects, fed with an acid food, used the 2 in 1 stuff that supposedly fixes both disease and food problems. All to no avail. I've attached a photo. Can you help?
AnswerHi Nancy
Thank you for your question.
Mmm - Odd one this! If you are putting acid loving plants in containers you should really use an ericaceious compost, that's a compost which is specially formulated to contain no lime whatsoever, plus added nutrients. The problem with trying to mix your own is that you may very easily get the ratios wrong.
The other important thing that gets forgotten is that you should only use rain water to water the containers - because you live in an area where the soil is alkaline, the water from your tap will be too. Also, of course, when a liquid feed is applied, it should be mixed with rain water for the same reason.
Spraying against sap sucking insects is a good idea, but have you actually seen any infestations of pests? If not, I'd rule out that as the problem.
From the picture, I'm pretty sure that these plants are too far gone to save - I'm so sorry.
You could try again, bearing in mind what I've said above, but I have to say that I have never found growing acid loving plants in containers to be very successful.
Perhaps you could try with one plant to see how it goes, rather than spend a lot of money on plants that may die?
