Meeks: Recent warm spell to create problems for plants when cold arrives

In the short time that I have been on this earth, this is the warmest winter I can remember. Because of the warm temperatures and short days, many plants have decided that it's springtime.

This is going to be a bad situation if the weather turns as cold as what they are predicting for January and February. My house was built in the 1970s, and I believe that my camellia bushes have been growing for many of those years. It was one of the things that I loved about the house. Because of this warmer winter, my camellias are blooming their hearts out.

Camellias are an evergreen flowering shrub that come in a variety of colors and sizes. Camellias do best in semi-shaded areas with well-drained soils. The moderate shade provides protection during the winter. Camellias planted in full sun are more susceptible to cold injury.

Container transplants can be planted any time of year, but balled-and-burlapped plants should be transplanted during the dormant season. Planting during the dormant season reduces stress on the transplant, and it gives the plant time to develop root before the stress of summer.

Camellias do not need a heavy application of fertilizer. Soil sampling is the best way to determine the actual need of your site, but in the absence of a soil sample, one tablespoon per foot of plant height of a 10-10-10 in March, May and July should be sufficient.

Fertilizer should be spread beneath the camellia and a few inches beyond the drip line. Put water in the fertilizer to increase distribution. Camellias have a shallow root system and need proper watering to maintain vigor. Water slowly to a depth of 15-18 inches. Rewater as the rootzone begins to dry and rain is inadequate. Be careful not to overwater. Mulching can help conserve water.

Light pruning should be done in May or early June to avoid affecting flower production. Pruning overgrown camellias should be done in late February. This will affect flower production for the following year, but is the safest time to perform heavy pruning.

For winter protection plants can be covered, but be sure that the cover does not touch the buds. This will not be sufficient during hard freezes.

To prevent damage by cold weather, maintain good soil moisture especially before it freezes. Follow recommendations to maintain plant nutrition. Plant camellias in locations that provide moderate shade and select varieties that have good winter hardiness.

If your camellias are like mine and are already blooming, expect to see some cold damage in the spring. The blooms that are already open are quite susceptible to freezing temperatures. Enjoy the blooms while they are here, but expect few to none in the spring.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.

P.S. -- Be sure to recycle your fresh Christmas trees.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Jan. 5-7: Beltwide Cotton Conference, New Orleans

Jan. 18: Office closed

Jan. 19: Green Team Recertification Training, Perry

Middle Georgia Production Meetings

Jan. 25: Forage/hay production, Perry, 6 p.m.

Feb. 4: Corn production, Oglethorpe, 12 p.m.

Feb. 9: Pecan production, Perry, 10 a.m.

Feb. 17: Peanut production, Oglethorpe, 12 p.m.

Feb. 25: Peanut production, Perry, 12 p.m.

For more information, contact Houston County Extension at 478-987-2028 or visit the office at 801 Main St., Perry. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Visit www.caes.uga.edu/extension/houston for more news about your local Extension office.

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 9:41 PM with the headline "Meeks: Recent warm spell to create problems for plants when cold arrives ."