Camellia is an evergreen flowering plant from the Tea family. It is mainly found in the subtropics of Eurasia and North America, but can also be cultivated as an indoor or greenhouse plant around the world. Camellia is used for decorative purposes, and also has medicinal properties. Leaves of some species serve as raw materials for tea. Many flower growers are afraid to grow the plant because of their capricious nature, however, it is enough to study several features of care in order to avoid amazing problems and enjoy amazing flowers.
Plant description
Camellia is a perennial shrub or tree 2-20 m high. The stems branch from the base and quickly lignify. Young green shoots are pubescent. Over time, they become naked and acquire a gray or light brown color.
On the branches of this evergreen plant are regular, short-leaved oval or ovoid leaves. They have even or finely serrated edges and a pointed, elongated end. Solid dark green leaves fold a little along the embossed central vein. Each node can contain 1-3 sheets. The length of the shiny, pubescent along the veins of the leaf plate is 3-17 cm.
Camellia blooms in November-December and can last until the end of winter. A single flower lives up to 1 month. Large single flowers are located on straight pedicels. Their diameter is 1-12 cm. The base of the petals fuse into a short tube. The petals themselves are located in 1 or several tiers. They have a wide oval or rounded shape with a wavy edge. The center of the flower consists of a lush bunch of numerous yellow stamens with large anthers. The smell of flowers does not exude. Their color is dominated by white, red, pink and yellow. Petals are plain or variegated.
After pollination, the fruits ripen - dry capsules, divided into 5 compartments. Inside them are quite large angular seeds. They quickly lose their germination due to the high oil content.
Types of Camellia
The international classification of camellia includes more than 250 species.
Camellia is Japanese. The most common plant among gardeners is a spreading shrub or tree 1.5-6 m high. The stems are covered with a smooth grayish bark. During the flowering period, a lot of flowers appear, located between the leathery dark green leaves. Flowering begins in November-May. In eastern medicine, the species is used to fight cancer. Varieties:
- Alba is a white camellia with simple flowers;
- Winter rose - large terry buds of white or pinkish color.
Camellia is Chinese. The variety serves as a raw material for making tea. It is a bush or tree up to 10 m high with sprawling branches. Leathery dark green leaves grow 5-7 cm in length. Fragrant single flowers in the axils of the leaves consist of a five-membered calyx and a simple corolla with a diameter of 25-30 mm. The color of the flowers is cream yellow or white.
Camellia Sasanqua (mountain). Lignified shrub 2.5-3 m high consists of branched, crushed shoots. Annual growth is covered with slight pubescence. Gradually it is replaced by brown-green or brown smooth bark. Another short-leaved foliage of dark green color has serrate edges and is pubescent along the central vein. Large sessile flowers are located singly or in groups of up to 3 buds. Pink and red colors predominate in their coloration, but white flowers are also found. The plant is used as an oilseed. Based on this species, several decorative garden varieties resistant to frost, and therefore suitable for cultivation in a temperate climate, were obtained. The most famous varieties:
- Bicolor - a wide pink border is located along the edge of the petals, and the bases are white in color;
- Chansonnier - terry pale pink flowers;
- Cleopatra - simple corollas with elongated pink petals.
Breeding
Usually camellia is propagated by cuttings. To do this, in the summer (June-July) cut young shoots from the tops of the branches. It is better to take ripe stems with olive bark, but younger, bright green ones will do. Immediately after cutting, the cuttings are distributed in pots with sand-peat soil or perlite. They are covered with a bag to maintain high humidity, regularly ventilated and sprayed. Keep the greenhouse in ambient light and at a temperature of + 20 ... + 25 ° C. A full-fledged rhizome is formed in 1.5-2 months. After that, the shelter is removed. It is possible to carry out cuttings in January, but then the rooting process will take longer.
Sometimes seed reproduction of camellia is practiced, although it is not suitable for highly decorative varieties and is more often used in breeding work. Soon after collecting the seeds, they are planted in disposable cups or peat pots with loose garden soil. During germination, the temperature should be + 20 ... + 23 ° C. The soil is regularly sprayed. Seedlings with 2 real leaves dive into a larger container.
For poorly rooted varieties, the vaccination method is used. The procedure is carried out in January. A developed shoot with 2-3 buds is fixed on a species stock. The plant is kept at a temperature of + 18 ... + 20 ° C. It must be regularly watered and sprayed, as well as shaded from direct sunlight. The healing process takes 2 months.
Home Care
For an elegant, but sometimes moody camellia, it is important to create an optimal living environment.
Lighting. The plant needs a long daylight hours and bright, but diffuse lighting. The Japanese version is suitable and more shady rooms. Direct sunlight quickly damages the leaves, so the crown is shaded.
Temperature. In spring and summer, camellia forms flower buds, so it needs a temperature of + 20 ... + 25 ° C. Throughout the year, a hotter climate does not suit the flower. From mid-autumn, the temperature is gradually reduced to + 10 ... + 12 ° C. You can keep the plant even on an unheated loggia. It can withstand frosts down to -10 ° C. For the summer, it is advisable to take indoor camellias to fresh air (balcony, porch, garden).
Humidity. Camellias live in the tropics and subtropics, so high humidity is vital for them. Flowers are sprayed several times a day, and in winter, humidifiers are used in the heating season. It should be remembered that drops on flowers lead to a rapid withering of the latter.
Watering. The higher the air temperature, the more plentiful the watering should be. In the fall, it is gradually being reduced. The soil should dry 1-2 cm, no more. Stagnant water in the pan is not allowed. The liquid should be soft, well cleaned. Usually use rainwater or one that has been standing for at least 3 days.
Fertilizer. From the beginning of active growth (April-May) and until the end of July, camellia is fed twice a month with mineral complexes for indoor flowers. Since August, all dressings cease, which is a signal for laying buds.
Transfer. Since in spring the camellia is still in full bloom, its transplantation is carried out at the beginning of winter. The roots are easily damaged, so they use the method of transshipment in a larger pot. The procedure is carried out every 2-3 years. A thick layer of drainage material is necessarily poured to the bottom. The root neck is located on the surface of the soil. The soil should be sufficiently loose, water- and breathable. It is imperative that the earth is acidic or slightly acidic. The mixture for planting can be made independently of the following components:
- sheet land (2 parts);
- coniferous land (2 parts);
- high peat (2 parts);
- vermiculite (2 parts);
- sand (1 part);
- coniferous tree bark (0.5 parts).
Pruning. From time to time, camellia can be cut, giving it the necessary shape. This should be done at the end of the flowering period. If too many flowers form at the budding stage, the plant may become ill. Because of this, part of the buds are removed, leaving 2-3 flowers on the shoot.
Diseases and pests. With proper care, camellia is not affected by plant diseases. Sometimes it can be attacked by spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs, aphids. To get rid of parasites, insecticides and acaricides are used.
Garden cultivation
In the south of Russia, along the Black Sea coast and in the Caucasus, camellia is successfully grown in the garden. Shrubs with a dense crown or low trees, in which bright flowers bloom between dense dark green leaves, look very decorative. Hybrid varieties that have emerged in recent years allow the plant to be grown in open ground in regions where in winter the temperature does not drop below -20 ° C. Moreover, garden plants are more flexible in nature.
Camellia is planted in partial shade, in a place protected from drafts. You can plant it under tall deciduous trees with an openwork crown and a deep-lying rhizome, as well as near the hedge or wall of the house. They will create protection from the midday sun. You can’t choose a place in deep shadow, as there will be no flowers at all.
The soil should be loose and fertile. When planting, it is important not to deepen the root neck. It is placed flush with the soil.
Camellia will have to be regularly watered so that the soil is constantly slightly moist, but not swampy. Watering continues further in winter at positive temperatures.
In May-July, mineral supplements are applied monthly, designed specifically for camellia (full dose) or for rhododendron (half the dose).
In autumn, the soil near the trunk is mulched with fallen leaves and crushed bark, and then covered with spruce branches. If frosts rarely occur in winter, then additional shelter is not necessary. In more northern regions, the base of the trunk is covered with non-woven material. At night, the crown with flowers is also covered with lutrasil.
