I planted a large red camellia last October it was covered with buds. They still have not opened a little red is showing thru the top same as it was in October. By the time it opens it will be hot in summrville, SC I thought they were cold weather plants. What will happen if they don't open and what will happen if they do and its hot weather?

Wecome to ATP!

Camellia varieties open on their own schedule. If you bought a variety suited to your area, the heat won't be a problem. They will open eventually. Camellias are for incredibly patient people; those buds will show a little color for months.

Daisy

thx Daisy, it was from a nursery man and he said its a late bloomer i have one that blooms in the fall also. I was just worried about the heat of the summer, how long the flowers would last. Or if it had a disease of something that was preventing it from opening. Now i understand. TU
Doris

Doris, we're nearly neighbors. Yes, with Daisy, those buds should open soon. Is it in a shady position? If it is, it could be a reason why it hasn't opened fully yet. I have a cutting that I rooted in perlite a couple of years ago and failed to pot it up and no fertilizer. Would you believe that it bloomed at only a few inches tall. It had a nice fat bud for quite a while. I need to check it to see if it fully opened and either plant it in the ground or in a pot with soil medium. Poor plant. It's determined to live despite the neglect. I've been a bad plant Mommy. On the other hand, I have two large plants that produce too many buds and they don't all open. I need to learn to disbud them early in the year to give them more room to bloom. Perhaps I'll get bigger blooms too. In our area, the plants could be seen producing new buds even while the plant is still blooming. Enjoy your plant and please do post photos. Progress photos would be nice.

It is planted facing east so gets morning sun rest of day shade. Thx for replying i will be patient.
D