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Growing camellia in Tampa Florida?

8 years ago

Is there anybody growing these in the area, and if so how do they do? Do they need a winter chill, are the summers too much for them? Do they grow easy from cuttings? Any advice would be great!

Featured Answer

luis_pr

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

You need to add organic compost in areas where the soil is sandy, provide moisture so the soil is evenly moist (avoid wet-dry-wet-dry periods), use 3-4" of organic mulch and select a location where the plant gets morning sun until 10 to 11am-ish (or dappled sun; or full shade that is bright shade) so basically protect it from harsh sun especially in the summer months. Personally, from local hot experiencew, I would also choose locations that are not too windy as they suffer here in mild windy places.

There are many well known nurseries & gardens in mid FL. Richbourg Nursery in Monticello, Camellia Heaven in Tallahassee, Bob Wines Nursery and Leu Gardens near Ocala too. Do a forum or Internet search.

You can also grow them in containers!

Remember that sasanquas handle the sun better. If you get any japonicas, pay special attention to the sunlight in the summer months and use morning sun-afternoon shade locations or experiment with 30% or 50% shade cloth.

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Comments (6)

Alan
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks so much, do you know if nematodes are a problem with them here? They already ate my morning glorys.
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luis_pr
8 years ago
I have not heard that you need to use special grafts like fortuniana for roses so, no.
Alan thanked luis_pr
Alan
Original Author
8 years ago
Awesome, just don't want to learn that lesson the hard way....again.
luis_pr
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I understand. You are in a good location for finding gardens and nurseries. Wish I had known that when my aunt lived in Holiday (north of Tampa) and in Ocala ("near" Orlando)!

Check what offerings the nurseries have as you should be able to grow many sasanquas and japonicas to cover Fall thru Winter. Maybe try the April Series to see if they bloom late Winter or early Spring over there too.

Then in sunny areas, maybe plant annuals like Zinnias (start them in pots & move into the ground once they have two sets of leaves; you can put them in the same sunny places where Morning Glories had issues). Both Zs and MGs like lots of full sun. Zs need water but not too much of it. I would put mulch once they get a little inches tall or something like that. I would not plant Z's seeds on the ground (got better results starting in small pots). I would also not plant them in the ground and then throw mulch on top of the seeds (got worse results). My Mom is at an assisted living facility here in Tx where they have lots of really nice looking, 3' tall Zinnias.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
8 years ago
Alan, it's important that you get some local advice about the nematode issue. They can be very problematic in some Florida areas.

Your local UF/IFA County Extension office will have everything you need to know about what to expect in your particular county. The contact information is found in the link I provided for you.
Alan thanked rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

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