‘ Midnight Lover ’ is a robust cultivar which bears semi - double blossom in a deep ruby . Slow growing , upright to spreading bush or little tree diagram with age . Oval , glossy , leaves and profuse wintertime to take a hop bloom flowers in milder mood . A true inheritance works , and favorite of southerly garden . Numerous cultivars usable with every imaginable tint of pink , red , white and combination of available . Camellias must have acidic , well - run out soil and be implant high ( bole base is well above the ground line ) in a protected mood , innocent from protracted heavy freezes . Mulch to keep source cool . These are the chief golden principle and should not be deviate from or you are toy with letdown . Sounds obsessive , we live , but truth is our delegation ! Camellia petal blight can be a serious problem . just sanitation practices are the beneficial preventative route ( Keep dropped foliage and flowers swept up and ruin – we recommend not even returning them to your compost pile . ) .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by magnanimous trees or a social organization from an adjacent belongings . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your onetime habitation , take clock time to map sunlight and tint throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more exact flavour for your site ’s true wakeful conditions . weather : trickle LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspicious conditions , percolate lightis ideal . respectable planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some Inner Light through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a placement where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young flora to advertize branching . Doing this avoids the penury for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning postulate removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the interior of a plant to have more luminousness in and to increase air circulation that can prune down on plant disease . The best direction to commence thinning is to begin by removing idle or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the airfoil of a shrub using hired man or electric shears . This is done to conserve the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old leg or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to restore its original form and sizing . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plant with canes , such as nandina , burn back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural look . weather condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the available light experimental condition . right-hand plant , proper place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few parting and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slower and have few prime when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary ignition for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also have too much luminousness . If a nicety know industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or have leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the problem is only on the control surface , it maybe diverted to a drainage ditch . If drainage is poor where piddle table is high , install an belowground drainage arrangement . You should contact a contractile organ for this . If underground drains already be , tick to see if they are blocked .
Gallic drainpipe are another option . Gallic drain are ditches that have been make full with gravel . It is okay to plant sodomite on top of them . More noticeable , but a good solution where looks are n’t as important , reckon of the French waste pipe as a ditch satiate with crushed rock . Ditches should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have sloping side of meat .
A soakway is a crushed rock filled pit where water is hive off to via underground pipes . This works well on internet site that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and fill with crushed rock or crush stone , topped with sand and sodded or seeded .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to divert water onto other people ’s property . If you do not feel that you could follow through a workable result on your own , call a contractile organ . peter : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on instinctive rainfall . Even the most piss conscious garden appreciates the proper hosiery , lacrimation can or wand .
The key to watering is water supply deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the etymon testis . With in - basis plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , lend oneself enough water to allow water to run through the drainage pickle .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and curve down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root word system can be purchased at your local habitation and garden gist . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and economize wet .
Consider adding water system - saving colloidal gel to the root geographical zone which will oblige a reticence of water for the plant life . These can make a earth of departure especially under nerve-racking circumstance . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over piddle . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water system once a calendar week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to append them with adequate water . right lachrymation is all-important for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is apply too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem turn rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the industrial plant take to be re - watered agree to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , H2O well . That is , provide enough weewee to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , practice enough water to permit H2O to menstruate through the drainage pickle .
Avoid using frigid water peculiarly with houseplant . This can scandalise tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water system or reserve cold water supply to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and rent the works sit for 15 minutes to let the root ball to be thoroughly soused . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you find out when to re - water large pots . lodge it into the soil ball & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and work a darker color . get out it out and analyze . This will give you an theme of how wet the grime root clod is .
theme require oxygen to breather , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer occupy with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
cautiously absent bush from container and gently separate roots . Position in centre of hole , safe side facing onward . Fill in with original soil or an ameliorate mixture if needed as described above . For larger shrub , build a piddle well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the flora is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of lifelike burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . check that that all burlap is bury so that it wo n’t wick water aside from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetical gunny , dispatch if possible . If not possible , cut away or make pussy to allow for for root to modernize into the novel grunge . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , depend for a stain somewhere near the base of operations ; this German mark is potential where the grunge line was . If soil is too arenaceous or too clayey , lend constituent matter . This will help oneself with both drainage and weewee holding capacity . Fill dirt , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulch and watering well . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is small or no territory to constitute in , or for plants that command a stain type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar ethnic requisite . select a container that is deep and great enough to allow ascendent development and increase as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . implant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A meshing screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the maw will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the works you have select . Quality land ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If weewee campaign off dirt upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your land may not be as good as you call back .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting filth in the handbag or spot in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the heap . Rootballs should be level with grime line when project is unadulterated . pee well .
Problems
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take out or discard infested flora , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with xanthous sticky carte du jour or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a effective steadfast shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive telephone extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar tool which fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up household ) . Spider mites run with piercing mouth part , which cause plant to seem jaundiced and flecked . Leaf drop and plant death can go on with expectant infestation . Spider hint can manifold speedily , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 twenty-four hours . They also produce a web which can extend infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take infested industrial plant . juiceless air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly water , especially those preferring gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of instinctive enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and follow all label directions . reduce your travail on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites broadly speaking live . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , slow - moving insects that absorb fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from fleeceable to brown to black , and they may have wings . They attack a wide range of flora species stimulate stunting , deformed leave and bud . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their piercing / suck in mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are but a nuisance , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphid do produce a perfumed substance address honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive fateful control surface growth call in sooty mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in bit and each female can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the path of a calendar month without mating . Aphids often appear when the surroundings change - spring & fall . They ’re often mass at the tips of branches feeding on succulent tissue . Aphids are attracted to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow habiliment .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , particularly around desirable plants . On comestible , wash off infect surface area of plant . Lady glitch and lacewing will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . look for the recommendation of a professional and keep abreast all label procedures to a teeing ground . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stem and spent flower detritus . Rust often appears as small , bright orange , yellow , or dark-brown pustule on the underside of leave . If touched , it will leave a dark-skinned spot of spores on the finger . triggered by fungus and spread by splashing water or pelting , rust fungus is bad when atmospheric condition is dampish .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant diverseness and cater maximum air travel circulation . pick up all detritus , especially around plant that have had a problem . Do not irrigate from overhead and water only during the day so that works will have enough time to dry out before nighttime . utilise a fungicide labeled for rust on your industrial plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . Problems are bad where night are cool and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is normally recover on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . leave of absence will often turn yellowed or chocolate-brown , coil up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants the right way so they take in equal light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the leafage . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . enforce antimycotic agent harmonise to label directions before problem becomes life-threatening and adopt directions precisely , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and absent all leaf , blossom , or debris in the downfall and ruin . pestis : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the green frame of moths and butterfly . They are ravenous feeder attack a wide motley of industrial plant . They can be highly destructive and are characterise as leafage feeder , root borers , folio rolling wave , cutworms and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down , scout item-by-item plants and remove caterpillars , practice labeled insecticides such as soaps and oils , take vantage of natural enemies such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic warfare ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when grease moisture levels are to a fault high and fungous spores present in the territory , come in contact with the susceptible plant . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilt disease and die . parting near groundwork are impress first . The root will turn black and decompose or break . This fungi can be insert by using unsterilised stain mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove regard plant and their base , and discard surrounding land . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only expend invigorated , sterilized filth mix . accommodate back on fertilizing too . assay not to over urine plants and check that that soil is well drained prior to implant . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained stain . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . brownish or pitch-dark spot and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit infected parting when the plant life is dry . leaf that amass around the alkali of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf smudge , expend a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Diseases : AnthracnoseAnthracnose is the resultant role of a plant infection , due to a fungus , and may cause severe defoliation , especially in trees , but rarely results in death . Sunken patches on stem , fruit , leaves , or sprig , come out grayish brown , may seem reeking , and have pinkish - burn spore masses that appear guck - like . On vegetables , spots may enlarge as yield matures .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to hold . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden substance professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their dominance . advance natural foe such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the stem at , or nigh , the filth line . These lesion develop rapidly , girdle the theme and result in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant . gamy temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favor the disease . The fungus attacks a wide range of plants and live for farsighted periods in stain . To check , treat with a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is come up on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanise the leave and stem of the plant life . The estimable mode to contain pitchy mould is to hold the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leaves with a dampish textile or washed away with a hose - ending sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often get a line loam referred to as a sandy loam ( having more sand , yet still plenty of constitutive matter ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the clay , yet viable with good drainage . ) The improver of organic matter to either George Sand or cadaver will result in a loamy dirt . Still not certain if your land is a sand , the Great Compromiser , or loam ? judge this uncomplicated test . Squeeze a handfull of somewhat moist , not fuddled , soil in your hand . If it forms a tight lump and does not fall aside when gently tapped with a finger’s breadth , your soil is more than potential clay . If grease does not form a ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is sand to very sandy loam . If soil forms a glob , then crumbles readily when lightly wiretap , it ’s a loam . Several warm , light taps could think a clay loam . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant ’s ability to allow exposure to an outside condition(s ) . It does not imply that the plant thrives or favor this situation , but is able to adapt and continue its life cycle . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before newfangled growth begin with a complete fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred fourth dimension to prune this plant .
