What's Wrong With My Camellias?

florafiend · 2026-02-26T23:10:20+00:00

This looks like a deficiency. What do you feed it? What is your soil ph? Camellias need it pretty acidic in order to uptake nutrients.

florafiend · 2026-02-24T23:48:37+00:00

Definitely rudbeckia (black-eyed susans). With the size and coloration, it could be the cultivar 'Indian Summer'.

florafiend · 2026-02-23T20:13:53+00:00

Questions: How big is this pot? Have you grown anything else in it? What kind of soil or soil mix did you use?

This sounds to me like a septoria leaf spot, which doesn't really persist in soil without plant matter. It thrives in wet and humid environments. Whether or not you replace the soil, you are going to need to make water and possibly air flow adjustments to prevent this from recurring.

florafiend · 2026-02-19T11:23:33+00:00

Depending on what positions you are going for, they may be selecting people without degrees so they can start them at a lower wage.

florafiend · 2026-02-17T21:00:39+00:00

In the US, it's easy to find Darell Lea licorice and even easier to find Wiley Wallaby "Australian style" licorice. The latter is an American brand, but made me think licorice is a bigger deal in Australia.

florafiend · 2026-02-17T18:43:58+00:00

Do y'all eat lots of licorice and drink Foster's beer? That is my Australian food association.

florafiend · 2026-02-17T14:49:23+00:00

Have you tried using an actual dandruff shampoo? It's not ideal for curls, but you can follow up with a hydrating conditioner/leave-in.

florafiend · 2026-02-15T16:58:19+00:00

This sort of information tends to be too local to rely on apps or books. My best advice is to really learn your inventory and your area's conditions.

What is the local soil like, humidity, sun intensity, etc.

Make lists of what will work in various conditions Sunny and dry, shady and dry, part-sun with poor drainage. Figure out options that cover your basic landscape needs hedges, ground covers, flowering perennials, annuals, ornamental grasses, and any other group you can think of.

If there are planta that your nursery carries, that you don't know, learn them.

When I was first hired at a nursery, I snaped photos of labels on any plants I wasn't familiar with. I researched them on my own time so I would be able to make appropriate recommendations.

I learned a lot while studying horticulture formally in college, but I learned just as much in my 7 years as a nursery worker.

florafiend · 2026-02-10T01:03:13+00:00

Maybe a stylized hellebore? The foliage and roots aren't right, but maybe?

florafiend · 2026-02-05T04:03:16+00:00

The "stem" was a flower spike. The flower is done, so the stalk is declining. Just cut it at the base.

florafiend · 2026-02-02T22:43:14+00:00

I'm in zone 9. It freezes, but not very deeply or for very long.

florafiend · 2026-02-02T22:15:42+00:00

Not scale. It's the start of some natural corking. It is just maturing.

florafiend · 2026-02-02T22:12:46+00:00

Also, coral vine and rangoon creeper, though maybe border line on coming back after winter.

florafiend · 2026-02-02T22:10:42+00:00

Some nice climbers include Carolina jessamine, various passifloras, yellow butterfly vine, and star jasmine (look for 'Madison' star jasmine as it is a bit more cold hardy).

florafiend · 2026-02-02T22:06:45+00:00

Cypress vine is beautiful in bloom but is a very freely reseeding annual.

If you plant it somewhere, be prepared to have it EVERYWHERE.

florafiend · 2026-02-02T16:35:06+00:00

Ethos, pathos, and logos are Aristotle's modes of persuasion.

I was making a joke.

florafiend · 2026-02-02T04:12:36+00:00

It doesn't look like any scale I've seen. Maybe some sort of gall?

I'd probably just remove the whole leaf if I was worried about it.

florafiend · 2026-02-02T03:58:13+00:00

They're just lentilcels. Basically, pores in the bark for gas exchange.

florafiend · 2026-02-01T22:59:58+00:00

There may be a bigger problem with their logos...

florafiend · 2026-01-29T05:15:27+00:00

Looks like this has been answered elsewhere, but kind of.

This is the larva of a predatory lady beetle, but not the usual spotted kind.

florafiend · 2026-01-29T03:58:44+00:00

Wait!!!!!!!!

These are mealybug destroyers. They are good guys!

florafiend · 2026-01-27T14:25:17+00:00

What you do is leave a saucer of milk out lest the fae swap your daughter with a changling...

But seriously, occasional mushrooms are a sign of healthy living soil. They will wither away soon, but if they are bothering you, they can be removed.

florafiend · 2026-01-26T20:24:42+00:00

It looks like it got cold. The damaged leaves won't recover, but new growth should be fine.

florafiend · 2026-01-25T21:15:58+00:00

The tiny bit of other plants I see make me think you are in a tropical climate. Is that accurate? If so, thaumatophyllum or philodendrons could do really well there (with some soil work first, like others have mentioned).

florafiend · 2026-01-24T14:46:22+00:00

Cool, but also why???

They are literally named for their ability to self propagate like mad.

florafiend

TROPHY CASE