What to Do When Camellia Leaves Fall Off
When the leaves of camellia suddenly fall off in large numbers, it often means that the plant is sending out a distress signal. As one of the top ten traditional famous flowers in China, camellias are widely loved for their elegant bloom. However, abnormal leaf drop during maintenance often困扰s flower enthusiasts. This article systematically sorts out the deep reasons and scientific solutions for leaf drop based on practical maintenance experience.
Three Main Causes of Camellia Leaf Drop
Water Imbalance Leading to Root Damage
Over 60% of leaf drop issues are caused by improper watering. Camellia roots are extremely sensitive to waterlogging, and prolonged excessive moisture can impede root respiration, leading to root rot. Initially, it manifests as yellowing and falling of old leaves, and if not treated in time, it will spread to the entire plant. Special attention should be given to water control in winter and drainage during the plum rain season. Using a ceramic pot with granular medium can effectively prevent waterlogging.
Light Imbalance Affecting Photosynthesis
As a semi-shady plant, camellias need 4-6 hours of scattered light per day. Long-term shady conditions can lead to thin and pale leaves, which gradually fall off; while direct sunlight for more than 3 hours in summer can cause sunburn spots, accompanied by leaf drop. In spring and autumn, they can be exposed to direct morning sunlight, and shade is needed during noon.
Sudden Temperature Changes Triggering Stress Response
Temperatures below 5°C in winter or sustained high temperatures above 35°C in summer can disrupt the physiological balance of the plant. Especially in northern regions, when there is a significant temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, the plant will reduce moisture evaporation by shedding leaves. Maintaining an ideal temperature range of 15-25°C, and gradually acclimating the plant to indoor conditions in winter is necessary.
Four-Step Rescue Method for Revitalizing Camellias
Root Repair and Potting Treatment
If root rot is detected, immediate pot removal is required: ① cut off the browned roots, retaining the healthy white roots ② soak in carbendazim for disinfection ③ replace with acidic substrate (peat soil: pine bark: perlite = 5:3:2) ④ maintain environmental humidity above 70% during the slow seedling period. Avoid fertilizing within 2 weeks after repotting.
Gradual Light Adjustment
Leaf-dropping plants should first be placed in a bright, scattered light environment for maintenance, and light should be gradually increased after new buds emerge. Use a shading net to adjust the intensity of summer sunlight, ensuring that the surface temperature of the leaves does not exceed 32°C. In winter, full sunlight can be accepted, and the pot should be rotated 180° weekly to ensure even light exposure.
Water and Fertilizer Management
During the recovery period, use the "moist when dry" watering method, watering thoroughly when the top 2cm of the substrate is dry. Combine with foliar application of 0.1% monopotassium phosphate solution, twice a month to enhance stress resistance. After new leaves have unfolded, apply a slow-release fertilizer for camellias to supplement nutrition.
Environmental Humidity Control
Use a humidifier to maintain 50-65% air humidity, or place a water tray under the pot (water level not touching the pot bottom). During the winter heating period, spray water around the plant in the morning and evening to increase humidity, taking care to avoid water droplets remaining on the leaf surface to prevent diseases.
Through systematic adjustments, damaged camellias can usually recover within 2-3 months. The key is to identify the root cause of the leaf drop and take targeted measures. During daily maintenance, pay attention to the state of the leaves, rotate the pot regularly to ensure balanced growth, and use acidic nutrient solutions to maintain a soil pH between 5.5-6.5 to effectively prevent the recurrence of leaf drop issues.