Camellia Petal Blight

There is a disease that is common in Camellia growing areas like Modesto called Camellia Petal Blight. This is a disease that causes the flowers to turn brown usually hold together.

It is often hard to distinguish Petal Blight damage from normal weather damage. Petal Blight damage will often engulf the entire bloom with a white mycelium at the base of the flower or petals.

In any case the best you can do is sanitation. Be sure to completly clean up and DISPOSE of the old flowers and petals. Unfortunately because the spores can move several miles a neighbor can infect your camellias.

If you see small mushrooms near the base of camellias that is one of the identifying characteristics.

Chemical control for the homeowner is not very effective so sanitation is the primary recommendation.