Literati camellia

aml1014

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Hey nuts,
Today I wanted to 1. share my new camellia and 2. ask a question.
Today at work I caught the lady Madeline in the greenhouse tossing some camellias in the dumpster. Of course I snagged them and took them home. One is on the verge of blooming so I went forward and did a styling. they are skinny little things and I felt the only way I could make anything was to do a literati. So I wrapped it with stretchy wrap and electric tape and went to work.
Here's how it turned out.20161205_172431.jpg 20161205_172445.jpg
Now my question.
This tree was being kept in the greenhouse at my work as its not hardy in my zone. I'll admit that I've killed my only camellia I've ever had, and that was because I exposed it to a bit of winter. I worry about how I'll be over wintering this thing. For now it'll stay in my greenhouse as its obviously broken dormancy and no longer has its winter hardiness. Since its about to bloom, I wonder if I should repot now or wait until spring?
Thanks for looking, and any possible help.

Aaron
 
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coh

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How has it "obviously broken dormancy"? Are new leaves growing? Many camellias will bloom in the fall/winter, but they don't actually put out vegetative growth until the spring.

I have had one for about 5 years now, camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide'. It is currently blooming. When it's done, it goes into my unheated mudroom where temps average between 30 and 45 deg (mostly in the mid-upper 30s). I wouldn't say it's thriving, but it is surviving. It also gets exposed to some frost before coming in.

Do you know which species this is...many are quite ground hardy in areas that get some snow and freezing temps. We had them growing all over the place in Virginia (near Richmond), where the winter is not harsh but they do get snow, ice storms, and temps can get down to the teens or occasionally lower. I wouldn't let a potted specimen freeze solid, though.

Chris
 

aml1014

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How has it "obviously broken dormancy"? Are new leaves growing? Many camellias will bloom in the fall/winter, but they don't actually put out vegetative growth until the spring.

I have had one for about 5 years now, camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide'. It is currently blooming. When it's done, it goes into my unheated mudroom where temps average between 30 and 45 deg (mostly in the mid-upper 30s). I wouldn't say it's thriving, but it is surviving. It also gets exposed to some frost before coming in.

Do you know which species this is...many are quite ground hardy in areas that get some snow and freezing temps. We had them growing all over the place in Virginia (near Richmond), where the winter is not harsh but they do get snow, ice storms, and temps can get down to the teens or occasionally lower. I wouldn't let a potted specimen freeze solid, though.

Chris
It is a camellia japonica, so a spring blooming variety. I don't remember the cultivar but I left one at work so I'll check it to see. I do remember that the variety is hardy to zone 8, I'm zone 7, so I'm not totally sure where to winter this thing.

Aaron
 

CamdenJim

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We grow japonicas outdoors in zone 7B without any trouble here in Alabama. My landscape plants are full of nice fat buds, but they won't bloom until late winter/early spring. My camellia sasanquas are a little slow this year, but those next door are in full bloom. (I expect mine to be in full bloom for Christmas.)
I have a couple of young ones (two-year-old cuttings) that have done well in a pot in our winters, including a two-day stretch in the 20s last year. They're hardier than you might think, even surviving our recently-ended drought and the hottest "fall" I can remember. We'll be in the low 20s this weekend and I won't do a thing to my little camellias.
Fret not.
 

coh

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I can't remember which species was more common in Virginia, though I think it was japonica. Whichever it was, those things got huge and put on a spectacular flower display most years. A poorly-timed freeze could wreck the flowers, but didn't really seem to impact the plant much otherwise.
 

aml1014

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We grow japonicas outdoors in zone 7B without any trouble here in Alabama. My landscape plants are full of nice fat buds, but they won't bloom until late winter/early spring. My camellia sasanquas are a little slow this year, but those next door are in full bloom. (I expect mine to be in full bloom for Christmas.)
I have a couple of young ones (two-year-old cuttings) that have done well in a pot in our winters, including a two-day stretch in the 20s last year. They're hardier than you might think, even surviving our recently-ended drought and the hottest "fall" I can remember. We'll be in the low 20s this weekend and I won't do a thing to my little camellias.
Fret not.
Glad to here this, come spring this guy will move out of the greenhouse for good. The one I had was killed by a late freeze in mid may after a repot, after 3 years of having it:( I hope this one does better!
Considering this things clocks are all jacked up right now, would you repot after flowering, or leave it for another year then repot?
Thanks for the help!

Aaron
 

petegreg

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Aaron, my only C. japonica has been overwintering with my subtropicals for 5 years, cold room 35-50 ℉. Evergreen, not growing in winter, some old leaves drop in spring when it starts to grow.
 

CamdenJim

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Glad to here this, come spring this guy will move out of the greenhouse for good. The one I had was killed by a late freeze in mid may after a repot, after 3 years of having it:( I hope this one does better!
Considering this things clocks are all jacked up right now, would you repot after flowering, or leave it for another year then repot?
Thanks for the help!

Aaron
My choice would be to repot after flowering. I've moved a six-foot-tall japonica in June without loss. I did water a lot for the rest of the summer, but I saw no ill effects at all. I've never had a May freeze to contend with. Damn!
 

Potawatomi13

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as its obviously broken dormancy

There are Camellias that bloom in the fall. Only ones I have seen were fragrant:p. Here in zone 8 personally lost a potted Camellia to some abnormally hard freezing weather so would suggest protecting roots at least. Love idea of Literati Camellia. Mine was starting as Cascade.
 
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