A Detailed Guide to Camellia Growing Methods and Watering Techniques

Camellia is an ornamental flower with many varieties, and is the general term for various plants and horticultural cultivars of the genus Camellia in the family Theaceae. So what exactly are the growing methods and watering for camellia?

1. Growth habits of camellia

The petals of camellia are bowl-shaped and either single or double. Its flowering period is relatively long, generally from October to May of the following year, with the peak blooming period in January to March.

Camellia is native to eastern China, and is widely planted in the Yangtze River basin, the Pearl River basin and various parts of Yunnan, as well as in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China and India.

Camellia fears wind and loves sunlight, and prefers high, open terrain, good air circulation, a warm and humid environment, good drainage, and loose, fertile sandy loam, loess or humus soil. A pH of 5.5-6.5 is best. The suitable temperature is between 20-32°C; growth stops above 29°C, and a certain temperature difference is required. The environmental humidity should be above 70%. Most varieties can tolerate a low temperature of -8°C (natural overwintering; Yunnan camellias are slightly less cold-tolerant). In areas south of the Huai River, they can generally overwinter naturally. They like acidic soil and require good air permeability.

2. Camellia growing methods and watering

1. Watering

Neutral or slightly acidic water is best. If the water is alkaline, it needs to be left to stand naturally for two days, then an appropriate amount of ferrous sulfate added to acidify it before watering.

In addition, the amount of water must not be too much, otherwise root rot easily occurs, and the potting soil must not be dry either, otherwise the roots are prone to shriveling from water loss. It is best to keep the potting soil and the surrounding environment moist.

2. Temperature

The suitable growing temperature is 18-25°C. In summer, attention should be paid to sun protection, and in winter, warmth should be maintained.

3. Light

Camellia is a semi-shade flower, and shading is needed when summer is too hot. In summer, shading can be provided by building a shade shed. In winter, a temperature above 8°C generally needs to be maintained, and the plant can be moved indoors for growing.

4. Fertilizing

Apply an appropriate amount of fertilizer according to the growth condition of the flower. Camellia likes fertilizer. Generally, when potting or repotting, apply sufficient base fertilizer at the bottom of the pot. In autumn and winter, because flower buds develop quickly, apply a diluted decomposed liquid fertilizer once a week, and apply a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer 1 to 2 times as a top dressing. Too much nitrogen fertilizer easily causes the flower buds to scorch and wither. After flowering, fertilizer can be applied sparingly or not at all.