Next Meeting

ALL SCHEDULED IN-PERSON MONTHLY MEETINGS SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION DUE TO COVID-19.

SOCIALLY DISTANT MEETING VENUES AND VIRTUAL MEETINGS ARE PLANNED...SEE CALENDAR.

Topic: Season Overview and Kickoff; Club History, Q&A, Pruning Workshop Review
Speaker: Sherrie Buffum
Where: Virtual by ZOOM, logon details to follow by email

Date: September 22
Time: 7:00 P.M.

Events

Club members, watch your email for TCC news.

September 19, 2020 at 9:30 AM

Event - Pruning Workshop - Oakdale Cemetery, 520 N 15th Street, Wilm

Event Rain Date: September 20, 9:30 AM

Seasonal Comments:

This is a season with possible heavy rain and wind from tropical systems. If potted outdoor plants get saturated by heavy rain, monitor soil and do not add more water until soil moisture has returned to a moderate level. For in ground outdoor camellias, maintain drainage for plants that may be in low lying areas or otherwise subject to excess water accumulation from rainfall.

In addition to usual storm precautions, protect yourself in the garden by avoiding broken overhead limbs, power lines, trip hazards, and other debris when re-entering the garden after a storm.

Garden News

September Camellia Care

Gibbing, i.e. treating blooms with gibberellic acid, may be done to enhance bloom size and advance blooming time . (Search gibberellic acid and camellias, or see ACS site.) DO NOT gib more than 4 or 5 bloom buds per established plant at a time. Repeat every other week to provide consistent blooming, e.g., for camellia shows or holiday use. Gibberellic acid is available on line or to members by sending a request to TCC email.

Another way to increase bloom size and limit damage from adjacent blooms is to debud if blooms are overcrowded, leaving 1 bud on the terminal end of a branch.

If you want to root hardened growth cuttings, September through November is the best time to do it.

Fertilization is not required if you follow an annual April fertilization schedule. If you want additional fertilization, use an organic or a zero nitrogen fertilizer and water it in. It's now too late to prune most cultivars without cutting off bloom buds for the coming season.

Pruning to reduce excess density or to limit size will not harm the plant.

It is optional to check your airlayers. If the airlayer feels mostly firm, nothing need be done. If you inspect the airlayer and find roots well-developed, you may harvest it now to avoid storm damage or to accommodate your schedule.