Re: A possible alternative method of propagatign Camellias

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----- Original Message -----

From: r*@gmail.com

 

Moira,
A year ago, I dug a trench to bury an electric line, about 6 ft from a 3-meter tall camellia, and in the process, cut through some 1/4 inch diameter roots about 18 inches below the surface, growing in what we in California call "adobe" clay. (It is black and fertile, but with a gummy consistency, and impossible to remove from your boots when moist.)    The trench remained open for a year, and the next spring, there were vigorous Camellia shoots coming up from the cut ends of the roots.

 

Hi Richard

I have had just on one occasion suckers appearing   out some distance  from a  Camellia sasanqua, though in that case I don't think there had been  any obvious interference with the roots to account for it. One thing which does strike me though is that one could presumably use the technique of cutting roots as a means of propagation. As Camellias are not at all easy to grow from cuttngs and  branch layers cannot always be easily arranged this could conceivably be well  trying as an alternative!

Moira