If you’ve made it here, you’ve probably noticed that your camellia plant looks a little different than what you’re used to.
Note that if just a few leaves here and there, especially older ones, have turned red or bronze before falling, don’t worry, that’s natural as the leaves age a bit.
On the other hand, if you notice that several of your Camellia plant’s leaves have turned red, there is a problem with the care or growing conditions.
Camellia plants contain these elements called anthocyanins, pigments that can turn the leaves of the plant red in response to stresses such as the environment or pests.
Some causes of camellia leaf reddening include direct sun, pests, temperature fluctuations, and transplant stress.
Now let’s look at the causes and solutions so you can help your camellia get back on its feet and look its best.
Contents
too much direct sun
Camellia plants thrive in bright, indirect light, but some morning sun or afternoon shade is fine for most of these plants.
Concentrated afternoon sunlight is what you should avoid, as it can be too intense for camellias and can cause the foliage or leaves to redden in response to the stress that direct sun can cause.
Keep in mind that this can happen whether you are growing outdoors or indoors, as windows can amplify sunlight if the plant is too close to the windowsill.
The solution
If you’re growing camellias outdoors, you’ll want to find a spot with plenty of shade, such as under trees, a balcony, or anywhere that’s mostly shaded from the afternoon sun.
When growing indoors, keep this plant a few feet from most windows to prevent direct sunlight from hitting the plant or increasing the intensity of the sun.
For burnt leaves, you have to go ahead and prune them because they don’t recover and waste energy.
harmful
Pests can cause all sorts of problems for plants, and camellia plants are no exception.
Anthocyanins can get to work turning leaves red in response to a pest invasion, as pests can severely stress plants.
Some pests you may encounter include aphids, scale insects, scale insects, and spider mites.
By feeding on the foliage, these pests cause damage to the plant and also leave behind honeydew that can become sooty mold.
Some signs of pests include white spots or bands, holes in leaves, discoloration of spots or spots, drooping or dry leaves, and other problems.
The solution
Many pests can be easily removed with a towel and rubbing alcohol on the leaves.
If the pest problem persists, you can try neem oil or other effective pesticides.
I like neem oil because it eliminates parasites and also helps prevent them from coming back in the near future.
You just have to be careful to let it dry before putting your Camellia back in the sun, because it can burn the leaves a little if it is not dry or if the sun is too strong.
temperature fluctuation
Temperature fluctuations are a major stressor for plants and can activate anthocyanins which can cause leaf redness and other problems.
This can happen outdoors if the temperature is stable during the day but fluctuates a lot at night, which can vary depending on where you live.
When grown indoors, this often happens when the camellia is placed near open vents that are suddenly filled with cool air or when the plant is near an open window or fan.
The solution
All I can say about this is that you need to make sure your camellia plant is in a stable growing location away from air vents, open windows and fans, and bring your plant inside if you notice a sudden drop or rise in the outside temperature. waiting.
transplant stress
Transplant stress occurs when a plant is transplanted and is damaged in the process or not accustomed to the new container, soil, or location.
This will stress the plant and can cause red leaves, among other things.
Some things to avoid when transplanting include damaging the roots, using too large a container, packing the soil too tightly, or transplanting out of season.
The solution
That said, there’s not much you can do when this happens, just wait and see.
It is better to be prepared in advance and avoid this by doing the following.
When selecting a new container, be sure to only increase one pot size at a time to avoid water and drainage issues.
Be careful with the roots when transplanting and be careful not to over-compact the soil so the roots can breathe and function properly.
Try to use the same soil as before, unless you used the wrong type in your previous pot.
Prepare to see problems anyway, because transplant stress is very common and most people aren’t perfect gardeners, including me, and that’s okay.