leggy camelia

what ho! I have a gorgeous double bloom pink camelia which I planted last year. I left it well alone as my other one loved being a bit neglected. However, my camelia has gone really leggy. With one long branch out the bottom and no other side branches. I've been checking out the internet and there is loads of conflicting advice so any recommendations?

 

I have never had much luck with camelias. In fact I don't actually like them. Two years ago a friend hauled a huge old one out of her garden and gave it to me. I planted it and pruned it down very hard. I have the healthiest bushiest looking camellia. It hasn't flowered yet but i live in hope. They are very hardy. I tell you this because i reckon you could chop your leggy bit and it will bush. Others will know better than I:thumb:

 

I think you can cut it back, I prune mine occasionally.

The worst than can happen is you will lose one years flowering.

 

Granny how can you not like camellias,
This one is in full flower at the moment and is called "debbie"



When "debbie finishes this one takes over"C.japonica" here is one of its flowers.

 

That first one looks a good un walnut:gnthb:

 

that looks lovely! I would love to have mine looking like that. Think I'll wait for it to stop flowering and give it a prune - I can sacrifice 1 years flowers for a healthier bush :-)

 

In the "pruning" book I've got. They show them pruned severely, straight after flowering. They even get flowers the next year 'cause the buds are formed at the end of Summer. I pruned the sides of mine, at the right time, last year and it hasn't affected the flowering this year

 

Ah OK It's because I'm jealous
:rotfl:

 

That advice is spot on with the puning Caj.:thumb: