The first Camellia - some sweet talking

We have had two camellia plants in the garden for a few years. Neither has done particularly well and we've debated about giving them a stern talking to. We did it to the Bramley Apple tree which had been poisoned by supposedly organic compost from a community garden but sadly one which contained growth inhibitor. We encouraged and nourished it for several years to no real avail. Then we threatened it with dire consequences if it did not improve its behaviour. The year after it did well. It's not our normal style, believing in positive encouragement. We tried a little soft talking to the camellias and one has listened to us. It has produced several blooms with the promise of more to come. Not the profusion we would like but nonetheless a considerable improvement on recent years. This is the bloom which is furthest out. We've told the camellia that it has done well and that its first bloom has been blipped - positive encouragement! It was pleased.