Camellia is evergreen the tea family. The most common type of plant is Camellia sinensis, tea is made from its leaves. Most varieties of camellia have found application in ornamental gardening.
Did you know? Camellia is also called the Japanese rose.
Types of room camellia Camellia room is a shade-tolerant tall tree or shrub, which is almost completely strewn with flowers. They have pointed, glossy dark green leaves. In the sun, camellia leaves sparkle like sunbeams.
Important! Be careful with the leaves of the plant: they are very sharp and you can cut yourself on them.
These Japanese home flowers are divided into the following varieties:
Mountain camellia. The birthplace of this variety of camellia is considered to be about. Okinawa. Shrubs of this species grow up to 5 meters in height. On thin branches there are shoots pubescent with red hairs. Leaves about 3 cm wide in length reach 7 cm. The leaves are elliptical or elongated-ovate in shape, the underside is slightly pubescent, the upper side is glossy, dark green. Flowers 7 cm in size have a magical aroma, grow in 2-3 pieces of pink, white or red. This variety grows well in cool rooms. Blooms profusely from early November to late January.
This species is widely distributed in Korean and Japanese forests. Shrubs and trees of the Japanese camellia grow up to 15 meters in height. Pointed at the top and serrated along the edges, the dark green camellia leaves are leathery to the touch and slightly glossy. The shape resembles an egg or an ellipse. Flowers 4 cm long grow both singly and in pairs. The color of the flower is pink, white or red, there are also variegated leaves. Usually blooms from December to April. At home, prefers a fresh, slightly cool place.
Chinese camellia. The habitat is the mountain slopes, gorges and forests of China. The height of an adult plant reaches 155 meters. The leaves are 4 cm wide and 10 cm long, ovate and elliptical in shape. Young leaves have white hairs, older leaves are bare. Chinese camellia loves cool rooms.
Comprehensive care for camellia at home
Camellia needs constant comprehensive care. This will allow her to bloom longer and delight the eye with her beauty.
Proper location and lighting
Camellia is considered a photophilous plant, it would be better to place it on windows in the western or southern exposure. During the flowering period, it is recommended not to move the flower pot, it is advisable to initially choose for it the place in which it will be permanently located.
Did you know? The mountain camellia tolerates bright sunlight well, while the Japanese, on the contrary, prefers shade.
Temperature and humidity
The flower is very sensitive to drafts and does not respond well to sudden changes in temperature. In winter, the camellia should be on a glazed and insulated loggia, but the temperature should be about 12 ° C, since more heat air is detrimental to these flowers.
Camellia loves humid air very much. It would be useful to put a container of water near the plant. It is necessary to constantly spray the leaves with soft water, but the water should not get on the buds and flowers of the plant, this will lead to the bud falling and the flowers rotting.
Watering and fertilizing the soil
The soil must be acidic. To achieve the necessary acid, baking powder for the soil must be added to the soil: pine needles, perlite, finely chopped pine bark; in addition, for good growth camellia vital drainage in the soil. You can acidify the soil by adding lemon juice, oxalic and citric acid. The soil should be light and airy, this will help to avoid stagnant water. You can buy ready-made soil based on peat, this composition is also used for rhododendrons, azaleas, etc.
In summer time the flower should be watered frequently with settled or filtered water room temperature.in winter need to be watered less frequently. It is necessary to ensure that the plant does not dry out, but also does not become waterlogged. When the flower buds form, the soil for the camellia needs to be slightly dry.
in the spring, when the first young shoots begin to appear, you need to fertilize the camellia. For fertilizer, complex organic or mineral fertilizers especially for flowering plants. When diluting fertilizers in water, reduce the dosage by half from that indicated on the package. You do not need to feed the flower too often, and if the concentration of top dressing is high, then the camellia may die. At the end of August, feeding should be stopped, since at this time the buds are being laid.
Pruning and shaping the camellia crown
It is customary to prune the camellia before transplanting it, so that the roots of the transplanted flower can feed the plant on their own. Camellias are pruned after flowering has ended, before spring growth begins. Most often, it is customary to cut a third of the branches every few years, but if you wish, you can cut 2/3 at once.
In addition, pruning is used to thin out the crown and stimulate bud growth. Thanks to pruning, you can independently control the density of the flower. Mountain camellias can be cut without fear, but netted camellias need to be cut delicately.
How and when to transplant a flower
It is often necessary to transplant young plants, adult flowers are transplanted once every 4 years. As a matter of fact, the camellia is not transplanted, but literally transferred to a new pot. Pots for camellia need wide. Transplantation is carried out very carefully, it is important not to damage the root system of the flower. The root neck, which is located between the roots and the trunk of the plant, should not be sprinkled with earth. It is necessary to transplant a flower after flowering is completed. The first time after transplantation, the flower must be sprayed every day.
Methods for propagating room camellia
Growing and caring for a camellia in a pot begins with proper reproduction plants. There are two ways to propagate camellias:
seeds
Propagation by seeds is the most common method. Freshly harvested seeds are sown immediately, because they lose their "germination" very quickly, as they contain a very large amount of oil. Seeds are sown in a mixture of sand and high peat (1: 1). If the temperature is raised to 21°C, then the seedling germination rate will increase significantly, given that their growth lasts from 2-3 weeks to one year. When two leaves per sprout appear, the sprouts are transplanted one at a time into pots with a diameter of 10 cm.
Flowers sprouted from seeds grow faster and easily adapt to various adverse conditions. Some varieties of camellia can bloom in the third year after sowing.
Important!Camellia usually blooms after 6 years of growth..
cuttings
Another way to propagate camellias is to propagate by cuttings. Let's figure out how to properly plant a camellia using cuttings. Cuttings ripened in the second half of summer are cut with four developed leaves. They must be immediately planted in sand or a mixture of peat soil and sand (1: 1). The tip of the cutting is dipped in a phytohormone and they try to ensure maximum burning of the lower soil. After that, you need to wait until the cutting takes root, it takes about two months. For propagation, you need to take adult cuttings - young shoots are not suitable.
Camellia (Camellia) belongs to the tea family. Under natural conditions, it grows in Japan, China, Korea, India, Indonesia, Java and Sumatra. Camellia got its name from the name of the Moravian naturalist G.I. Kamelius, who first brought this plant to Europe in the second half of the 18th century. Blooms in winter and in early spring, depending on the type.
What does a camellia flower look like: photo and description of a shrub
Camellia as indoor flower is a small beautiful evergreen shrub or small tree with leathery, elliptical leaves. IN garden conditions the minimum growth of the shrub is 1.5 m, and the tree can reach 20 m in height. The branched stems become woody very quickly, become bare, and instead of their green color, they acquire a gray or light brown color. The leaves on the shoots grow alternately, one after another. They are short-stalked and may be oval or ovoid in shape with an elongated end. The surface is smooth and glossy. As you can see in the photo, the leaves of the camellia plant have a rich dark green color and are slightly folded along the relief central vein:
The size of the leaf plate can vary between 3 - 17 cm in length. There is slight pubescence along the veins.
This is a fairly popular plant among flower growers, as camellia flowers usually look very attractive, somewhat reminiscent of roses.
The diameter of the flowers is from miniature (6 cm) to large (up to 12-14 cm), red, white or Pink colour, with 5-7 petals. There are camellias with double and variegated flowers. However, they are on the bush for no longer than one month. Most varieties are odorless. The bases of the petals fold into a tube. They can be located both in 1 and in several tiers, forming a lush bud. Each individual petal has a round or broad oval shape with a wavy edge. In the description of camellia flowering, a large number of yellow stamens are also distinguished, which are located in the center of each flower. In most cases, the color of the petals is monophonic, but variegated varieties have also been bred.
You can see in the photo that the camellia looks like an ordinary bush after the petals fall:
However, fruits are formed in their place - dry seed pods, divided into 5 compartments. The seeds that are in them quickly lose their germination capacity, since there are peculiar oils in their structure.
A variety of species and varieties of camellia flower: photo and description of plants
Types of such a flower as camellia have a fairly wide variety and differ from each other not only in the color of the inflorescences, but also in size and shape.
Popular types:
Japanese camellia (S. japonica);
Camellia mountain (C. sasanqua) - grows slowly, blooms in late winter - early spring;
Camellia sinensis (C. sinensis).
Many terry varieties have been bred.
camellia japonica (C. japonica). This type of camellia plant is considered the most decorative among the rest and is valued by flower growers because of the very beautiful flowers. It is an evergreen shrub that blooms profusely. Its dark green leaves are covered with a thin skin.
You can see from the photo that this type of camellia blooms in the winter, which especially highlights the bright buds against the background of snow. IN room conditions the plant grows up to 1 m in height. Its flowers are double, with a variety of colors.
Camellia "Guilio Nuccio". This is a variety of Japanese camellia, which is distinguished by a rich raspberry-pink color of flowers and not very large sizes. Oval-shaped petals are folded in two rows.
Camellia "Lady Campbell". This variety is highly valued for its high hardiness. It can withstand a short drop in temperature to -20°C without consequences. Because of this, it is ideal both as a houseplant and as a garden plant. The size of this shrub can reach no more than 2 m in height. It branches very strongly and forms a fairly wide and lush plant. Peony-like flowers can be up to 10 cm in diameter.
Camellia 'Japonica nobilissima'. Quite a tall bush, which in its natural environment can reach 2 m in height. In room conditions, the plant, of course, is much lower. Flowering of this variety falls on the period from December to January. The snow-white flowers stand out very favorably against the dark green background of the leaves.
Camellia 'Brushfield Yellow'. You can see in the photo that this variety of camellia is different unusual flowers with a double color - a cream-colored core surrounded by snow-white petals. This shrub has relatively small size- He never reaches a height above 1.5 m.
camellia sinensis (C. sinensis). As can be seen from the photo, the description of this camellia differs in many ways from the previous species - it is a tree-like plant, sometimes small in size, which, however, can reach 20 m in height. As you know, this representative is the same Chinese tea tree. Since ancient times, this species has been used exclusively for practical purposes - a special preparation was prepared from its leaves. medicinal tea. However, now more flower growers are paying attention to lush bloom trees. Large inflorescences of white or yellowish color have a slightly noticeable mesh surface. The leaves of this species can reach a size of up to 14 cm in length and 4 cm in width.
Camellia mountain (C. sasanqua). This camellia as a houseplant is quite small and looks good indoors. This species has branched, mashed shoots covered with smooth green or green bark. Brown. The edges of the leaves are serrated, and their surface is slightly pubescent along the central vein. The plant can form small inflorescences with 3 buds, and can produce single flowers. The color of flowers can be varied - from red and pink to white. Several are derived from this species. ornamental varieties which are especially resistant to low air temperatures. They thrive best in cool rooms.
Camellia hybrid Williams (Camellia x williamsii). This plant is especially popular in Europe. This is due to the ease of cultivation and the tolerance of the bush to the climatic conditions of temperate latitudes. A distinctive feature of this camellia is that after the flowers wither, it completely discards the buds.
Optimal home conditions for growing camellia and plant care video
Growing camellia at home requires not only care, but also providing the plant optimal conditions environment.
Camellia is a light-loving plant, but direct sunlight is highly undesirable. Best of all, the flower will feel on the eastern or western windowsill. If you place a camellia near the north window, or in the back of the room, it will suffer from a lack of lighting. If the pot with this plant is placed on the windowsill on the south side of the house, then in solar time day, you need to take care of shading the flower. In order for the crown of the shrub to grow evenly and not to stretch in one direction, you can turn the pot from time to time. However, during the formation of flowering, changing the position of the pot is highly discouraged. In response to stressful influences, the plant may drop buds. As you can see in the video, caring for a camellia in the warm season does not require a lot of energy and the flower can be taken out into the fresh air:
However, it is important to monitor the absence of drafts and direct sunlight. This plant will feel good in daylight conditions with a length of 12 hours. IN winter time years, when natural light does not last such a long period, it is necessary to place fluorescent lamps near the flower.
In winter, the room temperature should not exceed 10-12 °C. Avoid drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations. When buds appear, the temperature should be raised to 16 -17 ᵒС. The flower feels best at 18 - 20 ᵒС. In a room that is too warm, the camellia will begin to drop buds. Also, flowering may begin earlier than usual, and the quality of the flowers will deteriorate dramatically. The flower does not like stale air, so the room must be ventilated from time to time. In this case, the plant should not be allowed to remain in the draft.
Loose, permeable soil works best. The substrate is leafy, soddy and coniferous soil, peat, sand (2:2:2:1:1). The soil must be acidic.
The plant is suitable for cool bright rooms, winter gardens.
How to grow a lush camellia bush at home
Many beginner flower growers do not know how to properly care for camellia, and make mistakes that can lead to the death of the flower. However, in order for the plant to live long and bloom well, you need to follow just a few simple tips.
The abundance of watering depends on the air temperature - the hotter, the more water the flower needs. Each time between moistening, the upper part of the earthen coma with a depth of 1 - 2 cm should have time to completely dry out. However, the soil should not be allowed to dry out completely, as this will harm the plant, and it will begin to shed its leaves. Waterlogging is also highly undesirable - in this case, the substrate will turn sour and the flowers will fall off, and the leaves will become covered with brown spots. Watering at room temperature is recommended. The water must be free of lime. In July - August, watering is reduced. Moderate in winter.
When growing and caring for a camellia bush, it is important to provide it with a sufficient level of humidity, since it experiences extremely hard dry conditions. To do this, you need to regularly spray the flower. It is best to do this at a low light intensity, otherwise the leaves may burn. For this purpose, settled water at room temperature is used. If the camellia is in bloom, it is important to ensure that water droplets do not fall on the flowers during spraying, as this will lead to their rapid withering. Also, the humidity of the air around the plant can be increased by placing the pot on a pallet with wet pebbles.
Caring for the camellia flower, both at home and in the garden, involves regular top dressing in order to provide the plant with all the necessary nutrients. With the beginning of growth, mineral fertilizers are applied without admixture of lime. They need to be diluted at the rate of 1 gram of fertilizer per 1 liter of water. With the advent of buds, top dressing should be stopped.
In order to grow a lush camellia bush at home, it, like all houseplants, must be replanted periodically. Considering that with the advent of spring, most camellia varieties are still in full bloom, transplantation is usually carried out at the beginning of winter. This must be done every 2 to 3 years for adult plants and every year for young ones. The pot must be chosen a few centimeters larger than the previous one. The root system of this plant is very fragile and it is very easy to damage it during transplantation. Therefore, they do not completely get rid of the old earthy coma, since after that the flower will hurt for a very long time. The best option will get rid of only a small part of the old soil and simply transfer the plant to a new pot. It is imperative to put a thick layer of drainage on the bottom, which will not allow excess moisture to stagnate in the ground. For this, expanded clay is used or broken brick. After transshipment, the empty space remaining between the walls and the old earthen clod is covered with fresh substrate. The root neck of the plant must be placed on the surface of the soil. Care after planting a camellia is a little different from the usual - at first, it is necessary to water the plant quite rarely and very carefully.
Theoretically, this plant does not need pruning, but this procedure can be carried out in order to give the flower a decorative effect. If you want to get a profusely flowering bush with a large crown, you can cut the shoots a little, which after that will branch much better. It is necessary to carry out this procedure after the flowering of camellia. In the event that there are too many flowers on the bush, the plant may get sick, since it takes a lot of effort to form them. In this case, it is better to cut off the extra buds, leaving about 3 flowers per shoot.
If the pot is constantly moved, the plant may drop buds.
Camellia flower propagation: how to root cuttings
The reproduction of a flower such as camellia is carried out with the help of seeds and apical cuttings, which take root easily. Seeds are rarely used.
Reproduction of camellia using cuttings can be carried out in the summer season - July-June, as well as in winter, but it is worth remembering that in this case the development of the plant will last a little longer. To obtain cuttings, it is necessary to cut off several shoots from the top branches. Stems that have already developed bark are best, but green ones can also be used. In order to root camellia, you need to place the cuttings in pots with sandy-peat soil or perlite as soon as possible. After that, the shoots cover plastic bag or a jar to help maintain high humidity. Containers should be placed in a bright room with a temperature of 20 - 25 ° C. From time to time it is necessary to ventilate the cuttings, spraying and watering them at the same time. In order for the root system to have time to fully form, 1.5 - 2 months should pass. After that, you can remove the shelter from the plant.
Growing camellia: how to plant seeds correctly to grow a beautiful bush
To grow beautiful bush camellias with the help of seeds, you need to carefully select the variety of the plant, since such reproduction will ensure the successful production of decorative specimens of far from all varieties.
It is necessary to plant camellia seeds as soon as they are fully ripe and suitable for sowing. To do this, place them in disposable cups with loose garden soil and cover with glass or polyethylene. Containers should be placed in a well-lit place with a temperature of 20 - 23°C. The substrate is constantly sprayed with settled water. It will be correct to plant a camellia in a new pot after 2 full leaves have appeared on the plant.
At home, growing camellias using seeds is not recommended, since this method is usually used exclusively for breeding purposes.
Treatment of camellia diseases and how to get rid of pests (with photo)
As you know, camellia diseases are most often caused by care errors, and each symptom can indicate what exactly the plant lacks.
If the flower began to fade, the leaves became covered with brown spots, and the buds fall off, then most likely the reason for this is the decay of the root system. It can also be detected during transplantation. The roots begin to rot when the soil is waterlogged, when the moisture turns sour. Excessive watering can produce a particularly detrimental effect at low air temperatures.
As can be seen in the photo, in order to treat this camellia disease, the plant must be transplanted as soon as possible into new ground, which passes air and moisture well, while removing all damaged areas. After transplanting, you need to leave the flower alone for a few days. It is not necessary to water it this time - you can get by with a simple spraying of the leaves. Many inexperienced growers try to save a rotting camellia by reducing watering, but it’s worth warning right away that this method works quite rarely, and only if the damage is still very weak.
If the plant is generally doing well, but brown spots have begun to appear on the leaves, then the camellia has sunburned the fastest. In this case, care must be taken to shade the flower from direct sunlight. Also, burns can occur when spraying foliage at lunchtime.
At the same time, brown spots indicate the appearance of such a disease as phyllostictosis. It appears if the humidity in the room with camellia is too high. In order to get rid of this disease, it is necessary to process the foliage with copper sulfate. Damaged parts of the plant are removed. After that, it is important to take care of the resumption of the normal microclimate in the room.
It happens that the camellia suddenly begins to shed its leaves. This can happen as a result of prolonged drying of the earthen coma. You can fix this by gently resuming proper watering.
If grayish spots appear on the plant, then most likely the cause of this is a disease such as oidium. You can get rid of it by using sulfur or fungicidal preparations.
If symptoms such as black-gray spots on the leaves and brownish spots on the petals appear at the same time, followed by falling flowers, then the problem lies in the appearance of some fungal diseases. In order to heal the flower, fungicides can be used, but this will only help with a low degree of damage. Otherwise, it is better to throw the flower away, as the disease can migrate to other plants.
Due to the dryness of the air in the room or frequent movement, the camellia sheds buds.
Many camellia diseases are caused, which can usually be detected even with the naked eye. For example, if a white coating appears on the stems and leaves of a flower, then this mealybug. Clearly visible large areas of white accumulations must be wiped with a cloth dipped in soapy water. Hard-to-reach can be obtained with alcohol-soaked gauze wound on a stick. With a strong lesion, the flower must be treated several times with karbofos.
One of the common pests found on camellias is aphids, due to which the leaves of the plant curl and become covered with yellow spots. For treatment, it is necessary to process the bush special aerosols. However, they only kill adult insects, so the procedure must be repeated several times every 2 to 3 days.
In conditions of dry air, a flower can settle spider mite. It is easy to detect it - with the help of clusters of white cobwebs on leaves and shoots. The bright red mite itself is also a highly visible insect. To get rid of this pest, you can process the plant oil emulsions or chemical aerosols.
Camellia - 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 a house or greenhouse plant around the world. Camellia is used in decorative purposes, and also has medicinal properties. The leaves of some species are used as raw materials for tea. Many flower growers are afraid to grow a plant because of its capricious nature, but it is enough to study a few care features in order to avoid problems and enjoy amazing colors.
plant description
Camellia - perennial shrub or tree 2-20 m in height. The stems branch from the base and quickly woody. 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 alternate, short-leaved leaves of an oval or ovoid shape. They have smooth or finely serrated edges and a pointed, elongated end. Solid dark green leaves fold slightly along the relief central vein. Each node can contain 1-3 leaves. 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 bases of the petals grow together into a short tube. The petals themselves are arranged 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 flowers do not smell. Their colors are dominated by white, red, pink and yellow. Petals are monophonic or variegated.
After pollination, fruits ripen - dry capsules, divided into 5 compartments. Inside them are quite large angular seeds. They quickly lose their germination capacity due to the high oil content.
Types of camellia
The international classification of camellia includes more than 250 species.
The most common plant among gardeners in the form of a sprawling 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 leathery dark green leaves. Flowering begins in November-May. In oriental medicine, the species is used to combat cancer. Varieties:
- Alba - white camellia with simple flowers;
- Winter rose - large terry buds white or pinkish.
The variety serves as a raw material for making tea. It is a shrub or tree up to 10 m in height with spreading 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. Flowers are creamy yellow or white.
Woody shrub 2.5-3 m high consists of branched, mashed shoots. The annual growth is covered with light pubescence. Gradually it is replaced by brown-green or brown smooth bark. The next short-leaved foliage of dark green color has serrated edges and is pubescent along the central vein. Large sessile flowers are arranged singly or in groups of up to 3 buds. Their color is dominated by pink and red, but there are also white flowers. The plant is used as an oilseed. Based on this species, several decorative garden varieties resistant to frost, and therefore suitable for cultivation in temperate climates. The most famous varieties:
- Bicolor - a wide pink border is located along the edge of the petals, and the bases are white;
- Chansonnier - terry pale pink flowers;
- Cleopatra - simple corollas with elongated pink petals.
reproduction
Camellia is usually propagated by cuttings. To do this, in the summer (June-July), young shoots are cut from the tops of the branches. It is better to take mature stems with olive bark, but younger, bright green ones will do. Immediately after cutting, the cuttings are distributed in pots with sandy-peat soil or perlite. They are covered with a bag to maintain high humidity, regularly ventilated and sprayed. It is necessary to keep the greenhouse in diffused light and a temperature of + 20 ... + 25 ° C. A full-fledged rhizome is formed in 1.5-2 months. After that, the cover is removed. It is possible to carry out cuttings in January, but then the rooting process will take longer.
Camellia seed propagation is sometimes practiced, although it is not suitable for highly decorative varieties and is more often used in breeding work. Shortly 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 sprayed regularly. Seedlings with 2 true leaves dive into a larger container.
For poorly rooted varieties, the grafting method is used. The procedure is carried out in January. A developed shoot with 2-3 buds is fixed on the species rootstock. The plant is kept at a temperature of +18…+20°C. It needs to be regularly watered and sprayed, as well as shaded from direct sunlight. The healing process takes 2 months.
Home care
For the graceful but sometimes capricious camellia, it is important to create an optimal habitat.
Lighting. The plant needs a long daylight hours and bright, but diffused lighting. More shady rooms are also suitable for the Japanese variety. 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 will not work for 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 frost down to -10°C. For the summer, it is advisable to take out indoor camellias to fresh air (balcony, veranda, 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 during the heating season. It should be remembered that drops on the flowers lead to the rapid withering of the latter.
Watering. The higher the air temperature, the more abundant the watering should be. Since autumn, it is gradually reduced. The soil should dry out by 1-2 cm, no more. Stagnation of water in the pan is not allowed. The liquid should be soft, well-purified. Usually use rain water or the one that was defended for at least 3 days.
Fertilizer. From the beginning of active growth (April-May) until the end of July, the camellia is fed twice a month with mineral complexes for indoor flowers. From August, all top dressing is stopped, which is a signal for laying buds.
Transfer. Since the camellia is still in full bloom in spring, it is transplanted at the beginning of winter. The roots are easily damaged, so they use the method of transshipment into a larger pot. The procedure is carried out every 2-3 years. A thick layer of drainage material must be poured at the bottom. The root neck is placed on the surface of the soil. The soil should be sufficiently loose, water and breathable. It is imperative that the earth be acidic or slightly acidic. The mixture for planting can be made independently from the following components:
- leaf ground (2 parts);
- coniferous land (2 parts);
- high-moor peat (2 parts);
- vermiculite (2 parts);
- sand (1 part);
- bark coniferous trees(0.5 parts).
Pruning. Periodically, camellia can be cut, giving it the desired shape. This should be done at the end of the flowering period. If too many flowers are formed during the budding stage, the plant may get sick. Because of this, some of the buds are removed, leaving 2-3 flowers per shoot.
Growing in the garden
In the south of Russia, along the Black Sea coast and in the Caucasus, camellia is successfully grown in the garden. Bushes with a dense crown or low trees, in which bright flowers bloom between dense dark green leaves, look very decorative. Appeared in recent years hybrid varieties allow the plant to grow in open field in regions where the temperature does not fall below -20°C in winter. And garden plants are more docile 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 deep-lying rhizome, as well as near a fence or wall of a house. They will create protection from the midday sun. It is impossible to choose a place in deep shade, since there will be no flowers at all.
The soil should be loose and fertile. When planting, it is important not to deepen the root collar. It is placed flush with the ground.
Camellias will need to be watered regularly to keep the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged. Watering continues further in winter at positive temperatures.
In May-July, a mineral supplement is applied monthly, designed specifically for camellia (full dose) or for rhododendron (half dose).
In autumn, the soil near the trunk is mulched with fallen leaves and chopped bark, and then covered with spruce branches. If frost rarely occurs in winter, then additional shelter is not needed. 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.
An evergreen representative of the Tea family is a welcome guest in the home of any grower. The bright flowers and dense glossy foliage are often compared to the queen of the garden. For which a native of the Japanese islands received his second name - Japanese rose.
Camellia prefers partial shade, regular but moderate watering and spraying.
Elegantly shaped buds can be colored in white, pink, red and their many shades. Reaches a height of up to 110-140 cm. Continuous flowering can be achieved by creating for the plant favorable conditions. This capricious beauty requires a lot of attention and considerable effort from the owner.
Cultivation and care
Location, lighting and temperature
The best place is a greenhouse or a winter garden. If there are no such conditions, then a glazed balcony or windows facing east or west will become their replacement. Direct sunlight and drafts are prohibited. For young specimens, this is more harmful. With the onset of heat, you can arrange a vacation: fresh air with shading has a positive effect on growth. The required daylight hours are at least 12 hours. From November to March, a phytolamp will come to the rescue.
The plant does not belong to the heat-loving representatives of the flora. Different times require different conditions. If the kidneys begin to form, then they provide indicators of 5-6 degrees. Buds bloom best at 9-11 degrees. The rest period is unconventional for indoor plants - it is 20-25. In autumn, hibernation begins. In order for the beauty to please with new shoots in the spring, it is important to maintain the thermometer at +15.
Humidity and watering
Dry air brings the greatest discomfort during the heating season. The pallet with expanded clay or sphagnum saves the situation. In summer, it is enough to spray the plant from a spray bottle. Enterprising gardeners often use electric humidifiers.
Watering loves moderate and regular. Only settled water at room temperature is used. Moisture should be evenly distributed over the substrate. Overwatering or drying out adversely affects health. 10 minutes after watering, all excess liquid is drained from the pan. The next "drink" is required after the top layer of soil has dried. Restriction is necessary in the summer when flowers are laid. Systematic spraying will help maintain the necessary microclimate.
In winter, to avoid root rot, water very rarely. Approximately once every 7-10 days.
Choosing the right size pot
A wide flowerpot with many through drainage holes is suitable. Choose a heavy one so that an adult Japanese rose does not turn over.
Soil and fertilizer
Used most often sour. You can make your own with the following ingredients:
- peat, leafy and coniferous soil (2 shares each);
- sand and crushed bark (1 part each).
Purchased at the flower market substrate for flowering houseplants. It is better to give preference to the composition with perlite or vermiculite, peat.
It does not particularly need additional nutrition (fertilizers). The need for it arises in the process of active growth and formation of kidneys. Enough and the introduction of mineral complexes from the beginning of spring to the end of the summer quarter, with an interval of 14 days. With the onset of autumn, top dressing is not required. After the beauty fades, it is advisable to add organic matter.
Pruning and flowering
Pruning is done before changing the "place of residence". auspicious time- after flowering and before it starts active growth spring. Getting rid of unnecessary parts helps the exotic "feed" itself. Those shoots that appeared this year are used as planting material. If the copy is an adult, then it is enough to mold once every 2 years. Can be cut to one third.
It should be treated with respect during the flowering period. In no case should you move the pot, and even turn it around its axis. It lasts long enough: November-April (Japanese) or September-January (carp). As soon as it ends, the frequency of watering decreases. This serves as a stimulation for the laying of young buds and prevents the formation of new foliage.
Pests and diseases
yellow spotting
yellow spotting
The appearance of irregularly shaped spots of yellow or light yellow color is an alarming sign. The disease occurs for several reasons: a genetic predisposition or a virus. Its main danger is the high probability of infection of all green "neighbors". At the slightest suspicion, the plant is removed.
The best preventive measure is a careful, even scrupulous selection of queen cells.
This fungal infection spreads due to excessive moisture or damaged fragments. Symptoms - spots with jagged edges brown or brown. Treatment: remove infected fragments, reduce humidity. This will help the foliage dry out. After struggling with such a nuisance, a difficult wintering awaits the camellia.
Treatment with such special preparations as copper sulfate, saporol and Bordeaux mixture can help her gain strength.
Their goal is young shoots. Brown with a golden hue or white bumps are a sure sign of an uninvited guest. Delete them mechanically- manually. Pry off with a fork and wipe with a napkin dipped in soapy water.
If the colony is small, then the surface is wiped with kerasin. But, if the owner paid attention to the pet too late, then only chemical insecticide treatments will help.
Reproduction and transplantation
Transplantation at home is simple, but there are some subtleties that you need to know. The oxidized soil is diluted with humus and poured on top of the drainage layer. The latter makes up at least one quarter of the total mass. Lime or saline soil should be avoided. Oversaturation with calcium leads to the dropping of foliage.
Before transferring the seedling, moisten the soil. An earthen ball is not deepened too deeply (if it is a change of pot).
cuttings
The most simple and effective method. Thanks to him, after 2 years you will see the first flowering. Semi-lignified shoots are suitable for breeding. The favorable period for the procedure is from April to June. The shoot should turn brown, the growth bud should develop well. Rooting takes place fairly quickly. Only 3 months in water or a mixture of sand and peat, and a young Japanese rose is ready to be transplanted into a full pot.
Favorable conditions for the formation of the root system: constantly moist soil, air temperature 22-23 degrees, diffused soft light.
seeds
In this case, the appearance of buds will have to wait much longer. At least 5, and sometimes 8 years. Ready in the middle of autumn planting material. Soil composition: sand and peat in equal parts. Sow shallow (0.5-1 cm). To create greenhouse conditions, cover with a film. Periodically it is removed, sprayed and ventilated. Optimum temperature+21. Lighting is weak, shading is used. It takes longer to wait for seedlings than in the previous method, but they are stronger and healthier.
Seedlings appear after 2 months. As soon as the first 3 leaves grow, you can dive into separate cups. In order for them to finally get stronger and be ready to move to a permanent container, it takes from 1 to 1.5 months.
How to choose a healthy plant in the store
Immediately check with the seller the age of the seedling you like. If he is less than 4 years old, then do not agree to the purchase. Shoots by this time are powerful and lignified. Refuse to purchase if there are spots, stripes, cobwebs or dry tips on the bush. This plant is sick or infested with insects.
After buying a new pet, it is kept for 2 weeks at rest: in a cool room with a minimum of sunlight.
The most popular types and varieties
The brightest and most sought-after representatives:
- Japanese. Reaches 10 to 15 meters in height. This tree has ovate leaves and double or semi-double flowers. Color varied: white, cream, pink, red.
- mountainous. The maximum height of the shrub is 4 meters. The flowers are large, up to 8 cm in diameter. The branches are thin with an unusual pubescence of a reddish hue. Blooms profusely from late autumn to mid-winter.
- Chinese. The same applies to tall species. Buds solitary or formed by 2-4 in the axil of the leaves. The color is usually pale pink.
- mesh. Most large view. It happens up to 21 meters. The flowers are just as big: about 16 cm in diameter.
Camellia is a large shrub or tree when grown outdoors, endowed with a porous crown reaching over 2 meters. Far from all gardeners will be able to grow a flower at home, since a bush that blooms in winter does not take root too readily in room conditions.
Nevertheless, the wayward charmer is very popular, thanks to the flowers of an exotic look and the presence useful qualities, which are applicable as decorative elements interiors, as well as practical and beneficial.
blooming camellia
Refers to evergreen, ornamental flowering shrubs from the Theaceae family - Tea. In the natural environment, most of the varieties are found in regions where the tropical and subtropical climate prevails. So you can meet blooming camellia in Southeast and Central Asia, Indochina, Japan, the Philippine Islands and the island of Java.
Today, there are about 250 species of amazing trees. One of the most famous varieties is the Chinese camellia or tea bush, thanks to the foliage of which the original variety of tea is produced. Some of the varieties are grown only indoors or for decorating some areas.
It is very popular as it blooms for a long time in winter.
Characteristics and description of Camellia
Camellia is a flower that can be either a shrub or a tree. In height it reaches from 2 to 20 meters. Endowed with simple elliptical or broadly ovate and oblong-ovate leathery leaves.
camellia bonsai
The glossy leaves, arranged in several pieces on short petioles, can be either pointed or blunt. Their length, depending on the variety, varies from 3 to 17 cm.
In their circumference, single flowers vary from 1 to 10 cm. The petals fused at the base are painted in pink, red, white or variegated, and are also decorated with many stamens. The flowering of the tree begins with the onset of cold weather, if the air temperature does not exceed +12 degrees.
You can enjoy bright colors from 1 to 3 months. After they wither, fruits are formed, which are a dry box with five compartments, in which no more than 8 seedlings are formed.
Some of the varieties are valued by gardeners due to their evergreen crown and flowers blooming with cold weather. They decorate rooms and parks, giving them rich green hues.
With the help of the foliage of the hybrid Japanese-Chinese eugenol camellia, they create essential oil, which includes 97% eugenol.
What types of flower are found
Cameli at home is grown only a few species. Among them:
Mountain camellia sazanka - Camellia sasanqua
variety Sazanka
The Japanese call this species very beautifully and poetically - the flower of the winter sun, as it grows on the mountain slopes of the islands of Kushu and Okinawa, which are perfectly illuminated by the sun's rays.
The height of the shrub varies from 3 to 5 meters. Saturated green ovate or elliptical leaves, the upper part of which is shiny, and the lower part is pubescent, grow from 3 to 7 cm.
The circumference of red, pink and snow-white simple flowers can reach up to 7 cm. They can bloom on a bush both single and collected in several flowers. Abundant flowering on household plots starts in November and lasts until February.
The most mega popular decorative varieties:
- Bicolor
- Bonanza
- Cleopatra
- white double
- Enishi
Chinese camellia - Camellia sinensis
tea tree
This variety is also commonly called the tea bush or Camellia bohea. But the most popular “name” is the tea tree, since black and green tea. Young bai-ho greens are used to make bai-ho tea.
On the bush are lovely fragrant inflorescences, which are excellent aromatic additives with an exotic taste for teas. They originate in the tropical and subtropical forests of Indochina. On the territory of Russia, this species can be found in the Krasnodar Territory. Rarely grown indoors.
On a small evergreen tree, whose height is not more than 10 meters, fragrant single buds bloom, which can also be combined into inflorescences of 2-4 pieces. White flowers consist of petals, sometimes with a yellow-pink hue, the number of which can vary from 5 to 9. Flowering begins in August and lasts until late autumn. The fruits are formed from October to December.
Japanese - Camellia japonica
IN folk medicine Chinese varieties of camellia japonica are used as an anti-cancer medicine. Flowers tone the body and have astringent properties.
The Japanese camellia flower at home is grown quite often and is incredibly popular among professional flower growers.
indoor camellia
After all, it was on its basis that many indoor flower hybrids were bred. In Japan, the variety is no less famous than the magnificent sakura.
There are simple, terry, semi-double, symmetrical and unevenly terry inflorescences, white, pink and bright red shades. In addition, there are hybrid varieties whose petals are decorated with specks, dashes or stains.
Globular-shaped flowers have a lot of similarities with a rose, peony or anemone, only the aroma coming from them, of course, is absent. They are formed in the leaf axils and are located throughout the crown of the bush. All flowers do not fade for a whole month. You can enjoy flowering from the beginning of November until the end of spring.
As a rule, this species is planted in pots, tubs and open ground. It feels great indoors, but at the same time, the temperature where it grows should be no more than 12 degrees. Instances grown in greenhouses form fruits.
Common indoor varieties:
- Hippolight Toby
- japanese tsubaki
- Camellia japonica Nagasaki
- Lady Campbell
- empress
Video varieties of room camellia:
In addition to already known species, you can also find:
Saulenskaya - Camellia saluenensis
Thanks to this type, frost-resistant varieties, which can be grown in completely open ground or in a greenhouse. Free-branching shrub reaches 1.5 in height and the same in width. Flowering begins in the last months of winter and continues until the onset of spring.
The color of the camellia is snow-white or rich red, and sometimes you can meet a burgundy flower. The diameter in the circumference reaches 8 cm. It is one of the unpretentious garden varieties. It differs from other representatives in that it independently drops flowers from the bush. Thanks to this ability, the shrub always looks neat and tidy.
Oil camellia - Camellia oleifera
Distributed in forests and on the coast of rivers in China, at an altitude of 500 to 1200 meters above sea level. Often bred on an industrial scale because of the seeds, which are saturated with useful essential oil.
Camellia oil acts as:
- antiseptic
- Tones up
- local anesthetic
The height of this evergreen shrub reaches about 10 meters. In its circumference, the trunk reaches 20 cm and is decorated with brown bark. Another simple leathery petiole foliage has an ovoid shape with slightly pointed or blunt tips. Snow-white flowers can be either bisexual single or paired axillary. They form in September, and their flowering lasts until the second half of October. It bears fruit in large boxes, in which many round seeds appear, the length of which is about 3 cm.
Reticulated - Camellia reticulata
The height of the tree reaches 20 m. In China, Buddhist monks decorate their gardens with rich red double flowers. It is characterized by rather large sizes of inflorescences, the circumference of which exceeds 20 cm.
The shrub is strewn with an endless number of pink, white and red blossoming buds, in which all colors are mixed with each other with bizarre transitions and unusually iridescent under the sun's rays. Thanks to this feature, gardeners call them chimeras.
Camellia golden-flowered - Camellia chrysantha
It differs from other varieties in bright yellow opening buds, the number of which on one bush can reach up to 200 pcs. In China, protected by law and listed in the local Red Book. You can meet in the natural environment in the remote forests of Vietnam or China.
Camellia flower care and cultivation at home
how to care
Growing a plant indoors is quite difficult. The fact is that the camellia shrub prefers to grow at a temperature not lower than +5 degrees and not higher than +10, and also practically does not hibernate. Maintaining such a temperature indoors is not easy, so growing in an apartment is a lot of trouble.
Important to remember! If you do not have a glazed loggia, balcony, winter garden or terrace, then you are unlikely to be able to see flowering, since the shrub begins to bloom its buds with the onset of cold weather, and the foliage is formed only in spring.
In order to enjoy flowering in an apartment, you have to create some special conditions for its successful growth.
Temperature conditions for room camellia
The first thing to take care of is to create a suitable temperature. In order for the kidneys to be born and actively develop, camellias will only need to be in the sun for only 12 hours. But at this point you should give Special attention temperature:
- Its limits should be about 8-15 degrees. If it falls a little lower, then flowering most likely will not occur.
- In the event that you provide the shrub with less than 12 hours of daylight, then be sure to lower the temperature in the room to 8-10 degrees.
- Flowering begins in December and lasts until February, and at this time you should keep the temperature in the room no higher than 10 degrees, but at the same time it should not fall below 8 ° C.
If the air in the room is too warm, the shrub will begin to drop buds or they will open much earlier, which will affect the quality of the flowers.
Camelia: what kind of lighting do you prefer
What should be the moisture content of the soil and how to water it correctly
At the time of bud formation, and also when the camellia blooms flowers, it must be watered with well-settled water.
how to water camellia
As soon as you see that the top earthen ball has dried up, be sure to water the plant. But remember that in no case should the water be allowed to stagnate. At the moment when the tree is at rest, it is necessary to water it sparingly.
- Prefers to receive water acidified with citric acid, fresh lemon juice and vinegar.
- In the event that the tree receives an insufficient amount of moisture, it will begin to shed foliage.
- If you water the shrub too often, then its foliage will turn brown, and the buds will fall off.
To increase humidity in the summer, spray 2 times a day, humidify the air by spraying the plant and adding water to the pan. It is necessary to put a container with a bush in moistened coarse river sand, gravel, pebbles or moss. During the flowering period, be especially careful about spraying, as the water should not affect the flowers. If you want the tree to develop perfectly, be sure to install a humidifier.
What fertilizer to use
At the time of vegetation, which occurs in spring period you need to start regular fertilization. Feed the tree no more than 2-3 times a month, using mineral or organic fertilizers for this purpose. They stop feeding him completely by the end of summer, which allows him to set buds and release buds.
What should be the composition of the soil
Camellia care at home is not easy, because it needs special lighting and temperature regime. In addition, special attention should be paid to the soil in which you will plant the tree. In order to feel good in apartment conditions, it should be placed in loose nutrient soil that easily passes water and oxygen. The acidity level should be equal to pH 4.0-5.5 units.
cultivar Juliet
It is possible to independently prepare the soil using:
- 1 share of leaf land
- 1 share perlite
- 2 shares of coniferous land
- 2 shares of high-moor peat
- 0.3 parts of the bark of coniferous plants
- 0.3 shares of sand, which will make the soil loose
In the event that you cannot prepare the soil, then in a specialized store, purchase a suitable substrate, suitable, for example, for indoor azalea.
First of all, a drainage layer is poured into the pot, which is covered with a thin layer of soil, on which the tree should be placed, straightening its root system. Fill the container with the rest of the substrate and lightly tamp it down with your hand.
In no case do not bury the root collar. This should also be monitored when mulching with sawdust, shavings or shredded bark.
How and when is pruning and pinching done
One of the important procedures that you should definitely carry out is tree pruning. In addition to the fact that damaged, withered and weak branches are removed from the shoot, it is imperative to form its crown. If you do not do this, then the form will be lost, the bush will become too large, and you will no longer be able to grow it in the house.
This procedure is carried out when the flowers begin to fade one by one and at the same time new buds do not form on the bush. Based on the chosen variety of camellia, its shoots are sometimes cut almost half. Large sections are processed with a garden pitch. 
Experienced flower growers with the help of pruning manage to create small bonsai trees or standard specimens. Thanks to pinching and pruning, branching becomes more active, which allows the bush to bloom much more and more beautifully.
Follow this unusual plant not easy, because camellia flower care at home, a photo showing all its beauty requires special attention.
Important! Be sure to pinch the buds, leaving no more than 2 pieces on each stem. This procedure will allow you to provide the bush with large flowers that delight you for a long time.
How to make a transplant
When the shrub turns from 1 to 3 years old, it is necessary to replant it annually. Adult specimens need to be transplanted once every 2 years. The procedure is carried out in spring and summer, when flowering has already ended. At the same time, you need to pinch the top to allow the shape of the tree to form. In tubs and pots, it is constantly necessary to add soil, which is pre-mixed with complex fertilizers.
Reproduction methods
You already know that camellia garden planting and care, which is not easy, a rather capricious plant in terms of exactingness. Now you should find out how you can propagate this incredible tree.
There are several ways to propagate camellia:
cuttings
It is the most common breeding method.
As a rule, this method is practiced in January, July or August. To form a root system, summer cuttings need only a month, which cannot be said about January seedlings, since they will need more than one month for this process.
- To get cuttings, you need to carefully cut off the top young shoots that have formed in the current season. Their length should be about 6-8 cm. Remember to leave about 5 leaves on them. Under the axillary kidney, make an oblique cut.
- In special boxes, where a mixture of peat and sand is poured in advance in a ratio of 1: 1, it is necessary to plant seedlings.
- The box is placed in a lighted room, where the temperature is maintained at least +20+23 degrees.
- Be sure to water and spray the stalk.
- After the roots are fully formed on it, transplant the plant into a pot with a diameter of about 8 cm.
seed
This method is also often used by flower growers. In small pots, you need to sow 1 seedling. As soon as two full leaves appear on the germinated sprout, transplant it into a larger container. Camellia Chinese tea cultivation from seeds is carried out in the same way as in other varieties.
Graft
There are varieties that are difficult to root. In such situations, they are grafted on the apical bud. The rootstock in this case is tea tree or other slightly demanding varieties of room camellia. After inoculation, the room temperature must be maintained at least +20 degrees. The extra shoots that form on the seedling should be cut off. It is necessary to spray the grafted flower regularly and not let the sun once again burn fragile leaves. After 2.5 years, the seedling is separated from the stock and transplanted into a separate container.
garden care
Camellia indoor is grown in the southern part of Russia and in the garden in the open field, and it will already be a shrub.
To do this, you must follow some rules, including:
- proven soil composition
- maintaining a certain temperature
- careful lighting
- humidity in the air
As a rule, all these items should meet almost all the requirements for care, as for indoor plants.
To decorate gazebos, loggias and other facades, a special variety of climbing plant was bred.
What problems do they face when growing camellia shrubs
- Improper watering and an excess of moisture will lead to rotting of the root system and the formation of a crust on the foliage of the tree.
- Dry air causes black spots on the leaves. To deal with this problem, you need to get rid of the affected greens. Those leaves that did not have time to get infected, wipe with a soft, damp sponge. Place the container in a cool room or next to a window to keep it away from other plants.
- If you bury the root collar when planting, this will most likely lead to the death of the plant. The cervix does not deepen under any circumstances.
- It can easily drop all buds and leaves if:
- change the position of the pot that is familiar to him
- change the angle at which it was illuminated
- soil acidity will be higher than normal
Red camellia, like other varieties, needs special care. If you do everything right, you will soon be able to enjoy the lush bright flowering of an evergreen shrub that will delight you with its flowers throughout the winter.
Video secrets for caring for camellia at home:
