Any Experience with Camellias in zone 6a?
nikkie_in_toronto
14 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (21)
bill_ri_z6b
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Timing for zone 6a - newbie
Comments (20)Freshdesign, when camellias are grown from seed, they develop this long tap root, I've dug some young plants out on occasion and that root can be 18-24 inches long, maybe even longer. Kind of like oak trees. But you can't possibly sell camellias with this long tap root winding around and around the bottom of the pot, gets pot bound and more transplanting problems. So, the industry clips that tap root when its quite short, so that it is forced to develop a fibrous root system, so you can sell it. Kind of like rhodo root system. But the good thing about growing camellias from seeds is that perhaps when the soil freezes more deeply like in my cold Canadian climate, that long root can still take up water, chances are the root will still be below frost line. You can imagine with a flat, fibrous root system the frost will freeze the roots more likely and the plant is more prone to winters dehydration effects. I can't comment on you growing camellias on the balcony but I think you might be able to get away with it if you grow the hardier Ackerman winter series. Maybe insulate the pot with styrofoam like we do here for hardier shrubs like hicks yews....See Morethe best 'hardy' palm tree for zone 6a
Comments (55)Hi Treeguy. What part of WNY are you in? I'm in Rochester NY (City NW) and am growing Musa Basjoo, Musa Sikkimensis, and Musella Lasiocarpa in-ground. I was told that the Sikki and the Musella would have to be dug up over winter, but I left them in-ground very covered up in mulch and they're doing great. This was their first winter here. MY palms are all in pots and while not in-ground, they ARE in an unheated porch out back. Monitored temps dipped as low as low 20's some nights with usual highs in the upper 30's/low 40's. There was a brief super-cold spell where the lows read in the teens, but daytime highs were 30's. My palms are T. fortunei, T. wagnerianus, T. takil, T. latisectus (everyone expects this one to die, so I'm thinking about mailing it to a cousin south), and two Butia capitata. The pots aren't insulated or anything, so I was lucky.... but they lived. I can't plant in-ground until I buy a home, but I'm definitely planning on it. I have waggies which I germinated from seeds and they spent winter out in that shed too, but I brought them in during the cold spell....See MoreZone 6a vegetable/berry gardening with tree canopy
Comments (6)Most of the common veggies that have short seasons need all the direct sunlight they can get. Perhaps you could build a greenhouse and grow something in the winter when the trees have dropped leaves? Strawberries would likely never get enough sun to fruit even if they got enough to grow. Maybe currants or some type of berry bush that comes from a natural habitat of dappled sun/shade. I would be wary of growing roses if the ground is truly always moist. They hate to have wet feet and may die of root or crown rot. Have you considered having a certified, well-experienced tree trimmer come in and selectively thin branches to open up the canopy?...See Morewinter Camelia didnt bloom winter Camelias didn't bloom winter 2017-18
Comments (18)Blooming can get interrupted by cold temperatures. How long will depend on the weather. The plant may restart again in 2-4 weeks. Or if the timing of additional cold spells is right, it may take 1-2 months. For example, after a single drop into the low 20s, the shrub may take 2-4 weeks to restart blooming. But like I said before, one of my December-January blooming japonicas once got interrupted for 2 months and restarted blooming in mid March. During that 2 month period, we got several below freezing drops that stayed "on" for a while so I suspect that this prolonged drop made the shrub delay blooming more and more. Water deeply before these drops to prevent bud browning/drop. The color change may either be iron chlorosis or too much sun. When the tree canopy that provides shade looses all the leaves in the Fall/Winter, for example, they get more sun than normal and in mid-winter, I notice a tendency for the leaves to turn lighter green with bronze. If it appears to be chlorosis, amend the soil with a soil acidifier. I do not take action when bronzing due to the sun as the leaves turn darker green several weeks later, all on their own. Do not forget to water if the soil feels dry and it has not rained recently. Nice bloom in the middle picture!...See Morenikkie_in_toronto
14 years agobill_ri_z6b
14 years agonikkie_in_toronto
14 years agobill_ri_z6b
14 years agonikkie_in_toronto
14 years agobrianstreehouse
14 years agobill_ri_z6b
14 years agonikkie_in_toronto
14 years agolisa33
14 years agobrianstreehouse
14 years agobill_ri_z6b
14 years agonikkie_in_toronto
14 years agobill_ri_z6b
14 years agorockman50
14 years agonikkie_in_toronto
14 years agocarolinamary
14 years agomidrashist
14 years agotasintuck
12 years agoHU-988709081
5 years ago
Related Stories
LIFEThe Good House: An Experience to Remember
A home that enriches us is more than something we own. It invites meaningful experiences and connections
Full StoryMOST POPULARExperience the Holidays at Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio
Handmade decorations, greenery and gifts show how the famed architect and his family celebrated Christmas in their Oak Park home
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES6 Wonderfully Easy Roses for Any Gardener
Look like an expert even if you're just starting out, with these low-maintenance gems of the rose world
Full StoryDINING ROOMSNew This Week: 6 Modern Dining Zones in Homes Big and Small
Look to splashy accent walls, right-sized tables and indoor slides to make the most of your open layout
Full StoryTHE HARDWORKING HOMEA New Drop Zone Keeps the Clutter at Bay
The Hardworking Home: A clever wall-mounted station for keys, phones and more helps a family stay organized
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGN7 Reasons to Give Your Bath Zone a Living Room Vibe
With a few living room–like touches, you can transform your bathroom into a practical, relaxing retreat that’s overflowing with personality
Full StoryWORKING WITH AN ARCHITECTArchitect's Toolbox: 6 Drawings on the Way to a Dream Home
Each architectural drawing phase helps ensure a desired result. See what happens from quick thumbnail sketch to detailed construction plan
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDES6 Steps to Planning a Successful Building Project
Put in time on the front end to ensure that your home will match your vision in the end
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Garden Combo: 6 Beautiful Plants for a Shady, Wet Site
Transform a shade garden with moisture-loving golden grasses, textural leaves and a sprinkling of flowers
Full StoryWINDOW TREATMENTS6 Ways to Deal With a Bad View Out the Window
You can come out from behind the closed curtains now. These strategies let in the light while blocking the ugly
Full StoryMore Discussions
bill_ri_z6b