Camellia yellowing please help

[Nomad John]

Hi I'm new to the forum. I have inherited this Camellia and I'm getting yellowing and wondered if anyone could help me figure out why? Thank you

 

[oneeye]

Hello friend. The plant has out lived it's pot. If that were mine, I would remove as much of the old soil as possible and replace the old soil with new soil. You don't have to replace all the soil, only the top half. Every Spring I change out my outdoor soil with new soil in my large pots. I have some plants that's 18 years old using this method.

 

[Meadowlark]

Welcome @Nomad John

Good advice from @oneeye above. I'd like to add, after you make the changeout, add top layer of pine bark mulch or something similar acidic. I would also check the ph after changeout to be sure the soil is slightly acidic.

In the care of my own Camillia, the ph is absolutely critical and the single most important element of good health.

 

[cpp gardener]

Is there any way to get the plant out of the pot without breaking it? If not, break it and move it into a pot 3-4” wider than that pot. It looks like it has been in there a long time. I wouldn’t mess with the roots and soil, just move it up.

 

[Nomad John]

Thank you all, I think the lack of watering was probably the issue, we've have had little rain in the last couple of months. I've also just brought a ph tester and the soil is pretty neutral so have ordered some sulphur pellets add some acidity. Any more thoughts?

 

[oneeye]

Thank you all, I think the lack of watering was probably the issue, we've have had little rain in the last couple of months. I've also just brought a ph tester and the soil is pretty neutral so have ordered some sulphur pellets add some acidity. Any more thoughts?

IF you add sulphur pellets to the soil you will burn the plant. Just take out as much of the old soil you can and replace with new soil. You don't have to transplant the whole plant into new soil, just supplement one half and the plant will be good for another year.