Camelia Help Please

[JLO'smum]

Could anyone help with my camelia? The flower buds have formed but then gone brown and not opened except for a few that were hidden under leaves. We've had no frost and they have been watered during the very dry weeks. Any help gratefully appreciated. Thanks

[Bigmallly]

Is it deffinately a camelia as mine is the first plant to flower around march/april.

[JLO'smum]

well as far as we know, we had it given to us a couple of years ago. It's never flowered, same thing happened last year as well. I've just taken a photo so hopefully someone will be able to confirm it.

[Two_Sheds]

Where's the photo?

Camellias must receive enough water in the summer before they flower; it's too late to water them in the spring (mind you, last summer was pretty wet as I remember)

[Adrastea]

I know that if you keep them in a sunny position, it can make the buds and flowers turn brown when the dew / moisture dries on the petals.
I agree with 2 sheds in that they must be kept well watered through the summer.

On mine I noticed they improved when I put them in a shadier position. Apparently if they get too much heat in spring, the shoots grow so fast that the buds drop off, does this sound likely? Also to make sure they are in an acid environment and fed well in spring so that the buds form for next year.

[Two_Sheds]

I know that if you keep them in a sunny position, it can make the buds and flowers turn brown when the dew / moisture dries on the petals.

It's frost damage. If the camellia is in an east-facing position, the early sun damages the frosted flowers (by thawing them too quickly) turning them brown.

They are better in a west position, where they get later sunshine.