Yates Story
Yates Story
Ever thought of growing a little bit of Korea in your backyard? Not many people realize that Korea is home to some of the world’s best Camellia varieties and most of them are commonly available through garden centres in species of varieties that perform beautifully in our conditions. The other great thing Camellia’s have going for them is that they are incredibly water wise once established. In a heavy soil Camellia’s require watering just once a fortnight during summer in most places in Australia, in sandy soils just once a week, and heavy soils even less.
Trevor’s suggested Varieties include the Japonica, which performs brilliantly in a shady garden giving a spectacular display of colour, and the Sasanqua which when grown in full sun makes an excellent screening plant.
Tips to grow Camellias in pots:
To be successful make sure you have the very best potting mix. Pick a pot about double that in soil holding potential as the existing pot. Japonica’s are a great variety for pots as that is where they start out best. Plant them in the garden later when they become more mature.
The key ingredient is a good quality potting mix like Yates’ Thrive Camellia & Azalea Potting Mix. This mix is ideal for potted camellias and is also suitable for grown azaleas, blue hydrangeas, rhododendrons & other acid-loving plants. Once you have the plant in the new bigger pot, don’t bury it, but make sure the surface roots are covered. This potting mix has controlled release plant food and wetting agent in the soil to make sure it gets off to the best possible start.
In the first year, feed regularly with a liquid plant food and then use controlled release plant foods there after.
The most important thing if you want success is to make sure they receive regular watering during the dry season in the first year or two, after this they will look after themselves.
This is an easy way to add a bit of Korean magic to your garden whilst brightening up the darkest, dullest winter days. So now is the time to your local garden centre and get planting as the winter rains will help establish your plant.
Ever thought of growing a little bit of Korea in your backyard? Not many people realize that Korea is home to some of the world’s best Camellia varieties and most of them are commonly available through garden centres in species of varieties that perform beautifully in our conditions. The other great thing Camellia’s have going for them is that they are incredibly water wise once established. In a heavy soil Camellia’s require watering just once a fortnight during summer in most places in Australia, in sandy soils just once a week, and heavy soils even less.
Trevor’s suggested Varieties include the Japonica, which performs brilliantly in a shady garden giving a spectacular display of colour, and the Sasanqua which when grown in full sun makes an excellent screening plant.
Tips to grow Camellias in pots:
To be successful make sure you have the very best potting mix. Pick a pot about double that in soil holding potential as the existing pot. Japonica’s are a great variety for pots as that is where they start out best. Plant them in the garden later when they become more mature.
The key ingredient is a good quality potting mix like Yates’ Thrive Camellia & Azalea Potting Mix. This mix is ideal for potted camellias and is also suitable for grown azaleas, blue hydrangeas, rhododendrons & other acid-loving plants. Once you have the plant in the new bigger pot, don’t bury it, but make sure the surface roots are covered. This potting mix has controlled release plant food and wetting agent in the soil to make sure it gets off to the best possible start.
In the first year, feed regularly with a liquid plant food and then use controlled release plant foods there after.
The most important thing if you want success is to make sure they receive regular watering during the dry season in the first year or two, after this they will look after themselves.
This is an easy way to add a bit of Korean magic to your garden whilst brightening up the darkest, dullest winter days. So now is the time to your local garden centre and get planting as the winter rains will help establish your plant.
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