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Saturday, January 02, 2010

Today's Flowers: Camellia for a day

I hope everyone's New Year is off to a good beginning. New Year's Day was moderate so I decided to investigate and see if any more of the premature camellia buds had opened. Sure enough there was one which lasted less than 24 hours before a freezing cold New Year's night zapped it. The bloom was protected well inside the bush but even so, it is after all January so not surprising it had a short life.

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Friday was our last day above freezing for the weekend, and I'm already worried about whether the camellia buds will slow down enough to survive winter. They are supposed to set their buds in the winter and bloom in the early spring. However, they do best when the buds are still tiny at the beginning of the year.

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I'm a little more optimistic about the white camellias (above) than the red. The white ones seem a little big for this time of year but are at least tightly closed. Most of the red ones are already exposing their tips and two or three really jumped the gun and bloomed in the fall and winter.

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I think a mild fall and fairly moderate early winter is the problem. Also considering the fact that for the next few weeks the lows will be in the low 20s F (- 6.6 celcius) and maybe some teens F (- 12.2 celcius), I'm afraid I'll lose a lot of camellias long before time to bloom in early March because the buds are so big already.

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The pansies which were doing well with a few very cold nights but mostly mild days have finally given in to the cold. I feel lucky though to have spotted some blooms to start a new year, even if they are all frozen now.

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Please visit the home of Today's Flowers for other participants.

34 comments:

Darla said...

I love Camellias...I have one bud on mine so far and I hope the artic blast that's supposed to come through North Florida doesn't kill it.

DeniseinVA said...

I too hope your Camellias survive all that cold weather you're having down there. Your photos of them were lovely.

Quilt Works said...

Camelias are my favorite! Your photos are lovely! Some people around here grow blue ones! What colors do they grow in your area?


...Weird flower!

Carver said...

Thanks for visiting and to answer the question, I'm used to white, red, yellow and pink. I've never seen blue. I bet they are great.

Pamela said...

Oh I miss my Camellias! I had a whole row of them along the long driveway and I miss them soooo much.

Great photos!

Pam

Unknown said...

Oh dear! I hate it when buds start to form too early and then get nipped by the cold. It happens here in Ontario too...but to fruit trees. I only wish I could grow camellias!

Jama said...

They are so pretty,I hope they do survive the cold winter months ahead.

NicoleB Egypt said...

Uh, I can't believe they are out that early.
They look beautiful though.
Hope they'll make it!

Indrani said...

Great shots of the Camellias.

I wish you and your loved ones a Great year ahead!

eden said...

Camellias are one of my favourites.

Great shots.

Tes said...

My camellias are generous with their favors -am grateful. They are a delight to have. Lovely shots, Carver! Amzing macros!

Al said...

I saw them before but never knew how they are called, now I know that they're Camellias. Thanks for sharing! Happy new year!

Anonymous said...

Lovely Camellias, not too great that due to the low temperature they might not long as long as we'll wish they do. But as the saying goes, it's better there for a short while than none.

May the year of 2010 bring us more lovely flowers!! :)

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year!!
Great shots!!
Lovely Camellia flower pictures.
Thank you for sharing!!
Gisela
When words escape, flowers speak.
- Bruce W. Currie

Happily Retired Gal said...

Beautiful ;-)
I hope your Camellia buds survive the wintry conditions and blossom for you to enjoy! I don't grow them where I live but we had them in the yard of the home where I grew up so they bring back wonderful memories for me.
Hugs and blessings,

SandyCarlson said...

These are really wonderful. I love the buds especially, Carver. Surviving the cold is a common theme right now!

Happy new Year.

jams o donnell said...

They are beauties, We wont seen them in bloom for a few months yet. Happy New Year!

ellen said...

what a great entry you have!wishing you all the best in 2010!

eileeninmd said...

Your Camellias are pretty, I love that color. Great photos.

Chubskulit Rose said...

lovely shots!

My flowers are frozen

mommanator said...

they are such beautiful flowers even in the dead of winter!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!

Thanks for sharing.

http://graceolsson.com/blog said...

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http://graceolsson.se/mittliv/2010/01/02/alexia


GOTT NYTT ÅR. HAPPY NEW YEAR

VALKYRIEN said...

Thanks for sharing these lovely Camelias! And I wish you a happy new year!

Rambling Woods said...

We don't have any buds..Love how you get out and explore...Oh spring....Michelle

Arija said...

I wish you a mild winter for your camellias. If you had picked it, it would have given you joy for quite a few days indoors.

AscenderRisesAbove said...

oh! that is what these flowers are... my mom had some in the back yard - bushes? and the ants would crawl on them and open the bud. Is that right?

Regina said...

Happy New Year again Carver.
Beautiful and awesome!

Dee said...

No blooms here in my neck of the woods - although I should check my rhodie in the backyard - it sometimes blooms in January. Love your photos as usual!

Ayie said...

seeing how flowers bloom makes me all in awe =)

Unseen India Tours said...

Beautiful and lovely shots !! This is a Great post!! Thanks for sharing..

Cezar and Léia said...

It's a wonderful 2010 beginning with so beautiful pictures! :)
Hugs
Léia

Jeanne said...

Carver--I love these close ups of camellias. Very sexy looking.

I have a pink camellia in my front yard, and I need to go out tomorrow morning to check and see how it is doing.

Our weather has been a bit unusual as well, so it may not have many blossoms this year.

Carletta said...

Hi Carver,
I was in Virginia last week at a friend's house and noticed her Camellias seemed ready to burst.
These are lovely macros! I hope they survive for you.
Best wishes for a shining New Year!