In order for camellias to grow well and bloom profusely, it is advisable to fertilize them. But be careful! If they are not fertilized properly, they can suffer damage.
Camellias are very sensitive plants and must therefore be fertilized very carefully. For example, they should only be supplied with fertilizer during their growth period. The time of fertilizing begins between February and April, just when the flowers begin to sprout. You must stop fertilizing by the end of May at the latest so that the shoots can mature properly in the summer. Incidentally, this also applies to camellias in pots.
What fertilizer do camellias need?
Rely primarily on green manure, as flowering manure contains too little nitrogen. It is also advisable to use liquid fertilizer, as this can be absorbed much faster by the plants. Professionals recommend e.g. Alkrysal for ericaceous plants - the mineral fertilizer for ericaceous plants. The fertilizer is not cheap, but it is particularly productive and long-lasting. However, the optimal effect depends on the correct watering behavior and the permeability of the substrate soil.
Important:
If you have used too much fertilizer, it can happen that the nitrogen s alts are washed out far too quickly and only the harmful phosphorus and potassium s alts remain. So that the camellia is not damaged, it is best to use organic fertilizers in this case. This releases the nitrogen much more slowly. In this case, rhododendron fertilizer containing a proportion of guano is recommended. Apply this organic fertilizer only in the amount of a tablespoon once at the beginning of growth and once in early May. As an alternative, we can also recommend fish meal or horn shavings.
What to do if you over-fertilize?
Camellia plants are known for their sensitivity to s alt. If you fertilize too much, the edges of the leaves can turn black. So the tissue dies. A timely halving of the fertilizer concentration can help here.
If, on the other hand, you have over-fertilized it, it is best to wash the plant ball with plenty of water.