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Picture of camellia with camellia dieback disease
Photo By: Langlois, Page
Picture of camellia with camellia dieback disease
Photo By: Langlois, Page
Picture of camellia with camellia dieback disease
Photo By: Langlois, Page
My camellia bush has developed dead leaves on a branch throughout the bush. Can you help me identify what the problem is and give me advice about treatment?
Thank you, Bonnie B.
This is a disease called camellia dieback. It is a fungus that attacks small branches and kills them. Prune off each of the dead branches. Make your pruning cut well back into healthy, living tissue. Between pruning cuts, spray your pruners with Lysol disinfectant.
This disease is generally not highly destructive. A number of branches will die and then the plant will recover. Pruning is usually all that is needed. However, you may spray the shrubs with a copper fungicide (Copper Soap, Liquid Copper, Copper Fungicide and other brands) after you finish pruning to reduce the chances more dieback will occur.
Dan Gill
Consumer Horticulture Specialist
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture