What's eating my sasanqua camellia?

Sasanqua Camellia (Camellia sasanqua) shares the same key pests as other camellias: tea scale is the most damaging, followed by spider mites (especially in dry conditions) and aphids. Spider mites cause a distinctive bronze rusty discolouration on leaves. Horticultural oil spray and good garden hygiene keep sasanquas healthy and flowering freely.

White powdery encrustations on undersides of leaves produce yellow mottling visible on the upper surface; bloom quality and quantity decline noticeably in moderate to heavy infestations. Spray thoroughly with horticultural oil (summer or dormant) targeting leaf undersides at crawler emergence in late spring. A follow-up spray 3–4 weeks later improves efficacy. Prune for airflow.

Feed on undersides of leaves in hot, dry weather; produce fine webbing and cause a dusty bronze or rusty discolouration of the upper leaf surface, dulling the plant's appearance. Mist foliage regularly to raise humidity — mites dislike moisture. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, focusing on leaf undersides. Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides that kill natural mite predators.

Congregate on new growth in spring; sap-feeding curls young leaves and produces sticky honeydew promoting sooty mould on glossy foliage. Blast off with water. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage hoverflies and ladybirds by planting companion flowers nearby.