| We are in the process of selling my great-grandparent's house which has been in the family for almost 100 years. They have always had many beautiful camellia shrubs. I would love to keep a part of that with me. Can camellias be grown from a cutting off the main shrub? |
| You can take cuttings from camellias almost all year, but the best time is summer, when new shoots are half ripe. (The bark is just turning brown.) A cutting should have 3-5 leaves, so remove the lowest leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Place the cuttings in moistened potting soil in individual pots, or directly into the ground. Make a tent of plastic and place over the cuttings to keep them from drying out. Cuttings require 16 hours of light each day (not direct sunlight) before they'll take root. Camellias will take 6-9 months to root. You'll know the cuttings have rooted by the development of new buds on the stem. If new buds form and then turn brown, discard the cutting. (The roots tried, but just weren't successful.) Good luck with your new plants! |
