How can you save a Camelia that suffered from draught?

Question

I've rescued a Camelia that was subject to negligence for almost a year since its owner passed away. It should be a few good years old and it is not small-sized.

When I brought it home, around September, it was already all dry because of high temperatures and too much exposure to the sun. What made me think it is still alive is that when scratching the trunk, near the roots, it is light green.

What I did next was prune it heavily and tried to follow usual instructions for good care of camelias. I read that usually camelias begin growing new leaves in December/January, but I have seen no life at all so far. Most branches are dry and I'm not sure if I should prune it down until some green shows up in the branches.

What can I do to recover this camelia? Thanks.

Answer 1

Suggest pruning half the branches back to where signs of life are evident Keep a symmetrical shape with the pruning and paint the ends of large cut branches with "Arbrex"
Apply a thick mulch of compost,well rotted manure etc; to the soil around the base of the plant and when the weather improves,draw back the mulch and apply a fertiliser such as "Growmore".
Your plant should revive with this treatment and it's possible new shoots will emerge from below the soil.Should this happen,cut out as much of the old growth as can be replaced by new shoots.

Answer 2

Woody.... pretty well has it right my only suggestion is did you happen to notice any small white looking roots when planting? If so then it still has life, not much but some. I would buy a pkg of root hormone and mix a mild solution of that and pour around the plant.

I use this on everything I plant or transplant it's good for a healthy start.
Schultz Rooting Hormone
Product Description
http://www.doityourself.com/invt/2225571