How Long for Camellia Buds to Mature?

Protecting Tender Buds

• Most camellias, including the common Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua, are hardy in U. S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 to 9. In warmer climates, camellias are generally worry free in winter. However, in areas where temperatures occasionally drop below freezing, particularly if the drop occurs suddenly after a warm spell, freeze damage may cause buds to fail to open. If a hard freeze is predicted, cover your camellia loosely with cloth, horticultural fleece or plastic, but make sure the material does not touch the buds. Remove the covering the next morning to avoid the plant overheating in bright sunlight.

Stimulating Early Blooms

• To avoid mid-winter freeze damage to buds, some gardeners use a process called “gibbing” to stimulate their camellias to bloom earlier than normal. Gibbing produces larger, more colorful blooms in about six weeks and is often used by gardeners competing in garden shows. A drop of the plant growth hormone gibberellic acid is applied to buds in September or October. Begin by removing the smaller, vegetative bud adjacent to the flower bud you want to stimulate. Then, apply a drop of growth-stimulating solution, mixed at the ratio of 1 gram of gibberellic acid to 2 ounces of water, directly to the bud cup. Although difficult to find at garden centers, gibberellic acid is available through the American Camellia Society.

Removing Excess Buds

• Some camellias normally produce an over-abundance of buds or set buds too closely together on one stem. As a result, the shrub may prematurely drop its buds or produce small, overcrowded blooms. To promote larger, healthier buds and better distribution of flowers, you can selectively remove excess buds, leaving one flower bud at the terminal end of each stem. This disbudding is usually performed between September and November.

Timely Pruning

• Camellias occasionally need light pruning to shape untidy branches, curb the spread of insects or disease, or stimulate new growth. For best results, prune your camellia immediately after the shrub has finished blooming. This is usually best undertaken from late winter up until May or June. Pruning your camellia after July will remove developing buds, resulting in fewer blossoms next year. Always use a sharp saw or pruning shears, and disinfect the blades in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to prevent the spread of fungus and disease.