Planting Camellia

Welcome back to the Tukang Kebun Show. Today I'm going to show you how I planted a Camellia Sasanqua in an empty spot I have in my backyard that doesn't get much sunlight because it's on the south facing fence.
I chose a Camellia because they thrive in shady or part shady spots so in this case would be ideal. Camellias originated from China and did you know that tea leaves come from a Camellia plant?

First up I dig a hole just large and deep enough to accommodate the root ball of the plant. You don't need to dig too deep unless you're burying a body! After you've dug the hole throw in some fertilizer at the bottom of the hole.

Remove the plant from it's plastic container and tease the roots out a little to help it establish itself quicker. Before I place the plant in the hole I also stuck a stake into the hole which will act as a supporting beam for the plant later on in it's life when it has grown bigger.

Place the plant into the hole right next to the stake making sure it's level with to ground level. You don't want to plant it too deep. Then backfill with soil making sure there's no air pockets. Throw on some more fertilizer on the surface.

While you're backfilling, make a circular mount around the plant so that when you water later the water will form a pool in the circular mount and soak right into the ground to the roots.

That's another job done. While it's still establishing itself, make sure it doesn't dry up and water twice a week or maybe even more during the hotter months in summer. It should establish itself within a year and able to fend for itself. In the meantime, tie the branches to the stake if needed to help it along.