Propogation of camelias

[Alison]

Hiya, I have a very mature (read HUGE) camelia in my front garden which will have to go when we have an extension built later this year. I've tried taking hard wood cuttings last year, but no joy - could be bad luck but more likely my lack of knowledge. Anyone had any success in the past?

Also would like to try to move it, does anybody have any idea how far the roots extend and any advice on how to proceed?

Any help welcome, it's a lovely plant, don't want to lose it!

[nick the grief]

I've been giving this one some thought Alison,

Firstly Camelias like acidic conditions so if you had "limey" compost it may have stopped them rooting.

think that they only ones my mum and dad ever had any luck with were either layered in the ground (well a pot near the ground) or air layered either way it's a 12 month job - they had about 20 odd in containers.

I'll have a look thru some of my books & see if they throw any light n the subject.

As to moving it, If it's a really big plant I don't think it will survive the move. At best it won't flower for a couple of years. the rootball will roughly (very roughly) be at the extent of the canopy so if the plant is 10 ft across so will the roots be.

If you can't get a cutting of this one I'd suggest that the only altenative would be to go to a specialist nursery & get a replacement & start again.

Try this link First

http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0202/

[Alison]

Thanks Nick - will have a look at the link later when I'm not supposed to be working! Will let you know how I get on.