Mounted last night (that was annoying). This morning I fired it up and was nervous about tires not spinning until I did the bleed thing and it worked great. Now it's very responsive. I ended up removing the oil cap instead of the vent. I had another one so figured it's easier. Had to stab it and pry out as it was in so tight. Very happy in the end! If I can do this repair, anyone can. I'm the epitome of a white collar worker

Unless it's one of those 'instant garden' plants, I suggest you remove it from the ground and check the root ball. You said it had been parked in a basement over winter: it may be that the root ball is internally dry. Drop it into a bucket of water. If it bubbles like a kettle on the boil that's where you start. Sometimes, if a plant has been in it's container for a while the roots will have felted across the bottom and there won't be much available to take in food and moisture. Brutal though it sounds, cut off the bottom inch, and gently scrape off the old surface soil. When you've done this, plant it into a container that is no bigger than an inch wider than the root ball. Shallow is fine. This is because Camellias can be slow to send out roots and having too much potting mix means water will be sitting - a sure bet for rotten roots further on. Put some fresh mix on the surface to replace what you took off but don't add any extra fertiliser. Be sure that the mix you use has NO 'water crystals and is very free draining to encourage root growth. Stand the pot on feet in a spot that is sheltered from the wind and midday sun. Wait. It may take all summer for a recovery. Keep it lightly moist. It's probably best to dunk the pot in water once a week so it is thoroughly wet, then slowly dries out, rather than spritzing it with the hose. When you see new leaves emerging sprinkle about a teaspoon of a reliable slow release fertiliser on the surface. Another possible is pelletised sheep manure. Just make sure it doesn't crust and stop water getting through. As summer moves on, give it more light and let it get its new leaves toughened up. If you're prepared to provide it with frost shelter over the winter (frost cloth or a hessian cover) and it has recovered, you might want to plant it out at the end of August when the soil is still warm and you've got about eight weeks before Frost in Earnest begins. (I'm assuming you're at the southern end of the Island.) If you check over the hole you created for it - is it flooded at all? If so, choose a better-drained spot. You could do it now and use the site for annuals - weeding and feeding until it's time to plant out. PS - I've had Apple Blossom in a 20l bucket since 1987. Flowers reliably. In good health. It's an option, anyhow.

If you want long term success, I would start with a better soil. There are plenty of special recipes circulating around the forum. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/2842847/container-soils-water-movement-and-retention-xxii?n=483 By the way, if this is all kind of confusing, don't worry! Everyone has to start somewhere! In fact, I am kind of new to this myself. Anyway, you will want to start with a soil that will hold up for a while- meaning you will not have to repot for a while. Some handy ingredients will be pumice, turface (or oil dry/chicken grit), crushed granite, perlite, and maybe some pine bark. Some of these ingredients can be hard to find (blame tapla), but trust me, it is worth it! There are a few advantages to this kind of a soil. It is very hard wearing, and it won't break down quickly. It allows water to drain very well, and that in turn prevents rot, which sadly takes out a lot of plants. But what I really like about this soil is it is very much suited to succulents in look and style and there is no need for top dressing. (By the way, I really think you had the right idea of drainage, you just didn't go about it quite properly :) ) Well, that is all I can think of right now, I'll see if any more comes to me. ~palmsandsnow

Purchased in June and now there's no leaves. I overwatered from what my research said and so I allowed the plant to dry out for 1 full month which would be July. Well during July all leaves fell off. Today August 5,2016 I lightly/I mean lightly watered w/organic seaweed & protek. Any advice on how to spark new growth? I cut the top part of the stem to make sure it wasn't dead/dried up and it started oozing this white substance so I know the woody tree stem is still alive. I'll water only 1 time a month now to give it a complete break since there's no leaves. I live in a dry townhouse, east coast Maryland. Has this happened to anyone before? Any advice? Potting mix is epsoma w/extra perlite & top dressed w/orchid bark. Before I overwatered picture and the August 5, 2016 current state of my plant picture (no leaves)