Sooty camelia

[jayemcee]

I have a black sooty deposit on the leaves of our camelia. It will wash off and is also falling onto the pot and the area surrounding the pot.
I cannot find any promising reason in my gardening book. It was in the conservatory but I have put it outside in case it was the lack of open air that caused the problem. It was brought inside to stop it being blown over if windy, as that knocks all the buds off.
It is too big to put in and out according to the weather forecast.
Any ideas?

[thelewisgang]

this site might help you. Scroll down a bit till you see the heading 'black sooty marks on leaves' (or something like that!)
http://www.trehanenur.../camellia-q-and-a.php

[tamborine]

sounds like bug droppings......they're quite hardy so leave it out - preferably facing south.

[foxyferret]

I had exactly the same thing on mine and on inspecting the leaves underneath I found it was due to scale insect, little brown bugs that cling on like limpets. I had to wash every leaf individually (did it outside with slightly soapy water and cloth, then rinsed off with the hose) . They are stubborn little devils and you really have to rub to get them off, although the soot comes off quite easily and the leaves were glossy green under the soot. After that, I sprayed it with bug clear. It was fine last year, but I shall be inspecting it again at the first sign of the black stuff. Good luck.

[foxyferret]

forgot to say I have 3 camelia, all in pots, all left outside in sheltered position year round for the last 5 years. Even after recent bad weather all looking fine.

[jayemcee]

Many thanks for your answers which have been very helpful. The Trehanenur site was most informative. I realise that camelias are hardy but they do not respond very well to being blown over and I have no " windfree " sites for it. I shall away and wash it.