Question on trimming camellia bush

[MeanLaureen]

Hi, everyone!

We have two camellia bushes on either side of our front porch that are quite overgrown, reaching about 8' to 9' tall. One is in bloom right now, the other has buds that look like they might bloom soon.

We'd like to trim them back to about 4' tall, but want to do it at the right time. When would be the best time to trim them?

TIA!

 

[Snowwark]

Hi Lauri! Welcome to the F&G board!

How nice that you actually have something ready to bloom! The only thing up here that's growing, is my Visa balance!

I don't have any camellias, but, I did find some information that might help you.

~Drastic pruning may be necessary to restore an old camellia to vigorous growth or to reduce it to a size that can be managed. To prune an old camellia, cut back each branch to a vigorous shoot, leaving it to grow. If no good shoots can be found, remove a large portion of the poor branches and wait to see which parts will put out new growth.~

You can find more info, right here! ~American Camellia Society~

Any buds out there, with hands-on camellia advice for Lauri?

Kim

 

[mommytotwo]

We have a bunch of camellia plants and what I have noticed is that if you cut back the plant all at once, there is a risk of it dying-as what had happened to us in the past. You can trim it slowly maybe every month or so, so that you don't shock the plant.

 

[mdvaden]

It may be as important for when not to prune.

IF - that's in full sun, don't take a lot off the top right before hot weather. You may get sunburn before new growth can shade the interior bark.

If you don't have to do it now, enjoy the green, since it may not grow for a while.

March or April are very good and allow time for growth before summer moves in.

My work is mostly pruning, and I've seen what works, and what backfires.

It's not a tree (in a way it is) but if you want to know the professional standard, it's to not remove more than about 20% of the canopy in a single operation.

And you may not want to fertilize. Mulching is good to check.