How to treat camellia with black dots on fallen leaves?

Cindy77

 Hi, my camellia starts to drop its leaves these two days. I found black dots on the back of fallen leaves. Do they suggest any pests infection? The leaves on the plant are curling up as well. The plant fall over and out of the nursery pot last week due to strong winds in Perth. I had put it back and water every 2 days. 
I had a dry moist meter to check the soil. It gives reading 2 most of the time. I am worried if the soil no longer can retain the moisture due to the fall.  

what can I do to help this plant before it goes worse? 

MitchellMc

Hi @Cindy77,

Thanks for sharing the photos and details. The black dots on the back of the fallen leaves could indicate the presence of pests such as scale or possibly sooty mould caused by sap-sucking insects. I'd recommend giving the plant a spray with eco-oil—it’s a natural option that’s effective against a range of common pests and safe for ornamental plants like camellias.

The pot falling over likely hasn’t affected the soil’s ability to hold moisture. Rather than relying solely on the moisture meter, try the finger test—stick your finger a few centimetres into the potting mix. If it feels dry, it’s time to water; if it still feels damp, hold off and check again the next day.

It’s important to establish a watering routine where the soil stays moist, but not soggy. Camellias don’t like to completely dry out, but overwatering can also lead to root issues. A well-balanced regime will help the plant recover more easily from the stress of the fall and windy weather.

You can also try applying some Seasol to improve its health.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell