Slightly acid to neutral, pH 6 - 7 is fine. Above pH 7 and the leaves can turn yellow and become chlorotic. They adapt well to containers - providing they have acid container soil and an even watering regime. If they dry out flower buds will not be formed or drop if they have already formed. If you want early, perfect flowers container grown plants can be brought into a cool greenhouse for a spectacular early spring display.
Propagation is by early summer cuttings, taken while the wood is still hardening.
In many cases these will flower the next spring. Fertilising should be moderate. These are not gross feeders, but elegant plants of open woodland, happiest in humus rich soils with an annual mulch of compost or leaf mould. Every year since I moved into my present garden I've bought some new camellias. Small plants, rooted cuttings mostly, but cheap to buy, easy to grow, and with the reward of spectacular flowers from the start of their garden lives.