You may want to cover it with something to give it some added humidity (eg., place in a bag or put a cut off plastic 2-liter soda bottle over it). Some remove all but the top couple leaves and then cut those in half if they are fairly large. That's because it has no roots to supply water to the leaves and the humidity will help keep them hydrated and photosynthesizing while it attempts to grow roots.

I don't approve of taking such a large piece without permission from the owner, but I'll attach this link so that you can see that your 'cutting' will probably not make it. One of the reasons that camellias are so expensive is because they are somewhat difficult to root, unless you follow the correct procedures.

In the future, you might want to ask. You will be pleasantly surprised to know that most people, even garden center owners, will be glad to share a small cutting, as long as it is done correctly.

Here is a link that might be useful: American Camellia Society

Kitty, I too have been knowing to snip a cutting, lol, but don't make a habbit out of it..though never 8"..lol..A leaf here if it were succulent..
Rhizo, maybe it depends where you live, but most clerks would not allow one to snip a piece..they'd insist you either buy the plant or No-way, Jose.
There's a plant called Rhoeo, (Moses in the Cradle) that I hadn't seen for 15+ yrs and came across it at a nursery..It was on a separate table, w/o prices, and I was planning on purchasing the plant. I grabbed it, but not before my husband took a 3" cutting, went up to the clerk to ask its price, and he snatched it out of my hand, and sternly said, This plant is NOT for sale! He was utterly rude, which was uncalled for. This was about 8 yrs ago..I'm happy to say this baby is now over 2' tall w/many shoots..Had I asked this clerk for a cutting he probably would have told me to leave the store..this guy really had an attitude. So, even though, I'm really not a thief, I was happy my dh took the cutting..
Once we went to a smaller conservatory..nobody and I mean, not a soul was around..we could have walked out w/orchids, bromiliads, and an assortment of plant, but I wouldn't think of it..That IS stealing..
Kitty, I wish you luck w/your cutting. In one plant book I have, under propagating, it says, leave to the experts..lol..I'm sure w/TLC, you'll get it to root..If you have any camellia books, perhaps it gives info on rooting cuttings. Toni

Thanks everyone, except for "mother" rhizo, for the camellia advice. So far the piece looks about the same, just a little more wilted.

I knew just about nothing of camellias when I was at the greenhouse, so that is why it was easy for me to take a piece. Now that I have done more reading I now realize it was a waste of my time to take it home. This specific greenhouse really only sold plants that were easily rooted with either water or sticking them in dirt. So, I just assumed the same of this plant. I was so in love with that plants flowers my brain stopped working :) I wish I knew the name of it so that I could buy myself a whole plant instead of being afraid to leave my plant window so that I can watch this one at all times!

Kitty, is the stem woody? In one plant book it says, plant woody stem in soil. Set in plastic for humdity, but make a tiny hole for ventilation. Keep in bright but indirect sun. Keep soil a bit moist but not soggy. Hey don't be discouraged, you never know. Toni

Kitty:

I sent you a rather long e-mail. If you did not get it, contact me at my e-mail address and I will try to duplicate it again.

Bob