What pH Is Recommended for Camellia Sasanqua?

Identification

• Sasanqua camellias are known for their fall blooms, usually producing flowers between October and December in the warm climates they do best in. Native to Asia, sasanqua camellias typically do well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. They tolerate some cold, however, and so can sometimes grow as far north as zone 6. Fall-blooming camellia is believed to be the result of older hybrids of sasanqua and Japanese camellias (Camellia japonica), which are generally winter hardy in USDA zones 7 and 8.

pH Recommendations

• Sasanqua camellias prefer loose, well-drained, fertile soils with a good amount of organic matter incorporated in. Before planting, work large quantities of compost deep into the soil. A soil pH test can tell you if your soil is in the correct range, which should be between 5.0 and 6.5, or slightly acidic. Camellias do poorly in soils with pH levels above 7.0, so if your soil isn’t acidic enough, either add an acidifying fertilizer when you feed the plant, or modify your soil pH.

Acidifying Soil

• If your soil is alkaline, meaning it has a pH level higher than 7, amend it with an acidifying material. Nitrogen fertilizer can work for a quick fix, lowering the pH level a little bit, but for bigger modifications, use elemental sulfur. Although application rates depend on the starting pH, soil type, organic content and desired ending pH, an elemental sulfur application of 45 pounds per 1,000 square feet can lower pH from 5.7 to 5.1 in two years or so.

Culture

• Sasanqua camellias are long-lived, so choose their planting site carefully. They prefer partial shade; the sunnier the location, the more water they will require. Keep them well irrigated during the first year, after which they will survive on rainfall alone except during the hottest times of the year. Keep alkalizing elements, such as agricultural lime, away from camellias, or you’ll risk ratcheting up the pH.