How to grow potted camellias? Growing methods and precautions

Camellia is also known as mountain tea, camellia flower, etc. It is a shrub or small tree plant of the genus Camellia in the family Theaceae. Its flowering period is relatively long, blooming from October to May of the following year, with the peak flowering period usually from January to March. Below is an introduction to the growing methods and precautions for potted camellias!

I. Pot soil selection

According to the growth characteristics of camellia, it is advisable to use a slightly acidic, loose, fertile, and well-drained mixed soil as the potting soil. Particular attention should be paid to good drainage, and calcareous soil must be avoided. The mixing ratio is 6 parts red soil, 3 parts orchid mud (leaf mold), and 1 to 2 parts fine sandy soil. The pot size should be moderate, neither too large nor too small. Generally, the ratio of pot to seedling is that a camellia with a height of 40 to 50 cm and a crown width of 20 to 25 cm is suitable for planting in a purple clay pot or tile pot with a diameter of about 20 cm, and other sizes can be scaled accordingly.

II. Potting time

The potting time for camellia is November in winter and February to March in early spring, when the flower buds are plump and the flowers are in full bloom, making it the most suitable time for potting. When the flowers are fading and new roots are still sprouting, if potting is needed, special care must be taken not to damage the root system. Generally, potting should be stopped around the budding period, because at this time new shoots are about to emerge and leaves are unfolding, requiring a large amount of water. If potting is carried out, the new roots may be injured, which can easily affect the growth and development of that year. Potting is also taboo in high temperatures and severe winter seasons, so as to avoid causing the plant to wither and die.

III. Potting method

First place 3 to 4 pieces of broken tiles over the drainage hole at the bottom of the selected flower pot, then fill in part of the coarse soil, plant the seedling in the pot, and fill the roots with fine soil. Then slowly place larger particles of potting soil around the pot, gently shake the pot, and press with your hands so that the potting soil fits tightly against the roots. For large pots, a bamboo stick can be used to gently press the potting soil down, taking care not to damage the roots. The potting soil should account for 4/5 of the pot height to facilitate watering.

IV. Watering method

Newly potted seedlings should be kept moist. After 2 months, they can be watered like other potted seedlings. The frequency of watering should depend on climatic conditions, with the principle of keeping the soil moist. Generally, more watering can be done in spring to meet the needs of germination and shoot growth. In summer, watering should be done in the morning and evening. During the plum rain period, water accumulation should be prevented. In autumn drought, watering should be done promptly. In winter, watering should be done at noon to prevent the potting soil from freezing, as dry soil freezes even more severely.

V. Fertilization method

Camellia does not particularly like fertilizer, so there is no need to apply too much fertilizer. Generally, before flowering from October to November and after flowering from April to May, fertilize 2 to 4 times, generally using mixed fertilizer (human manure, cake fertilizer, barnyard manure, phosphate fertilizer). It is best to mainly use phosphate fertilizer, with nitrogen fertilizer as a supplement, to prevent excessive growth of branches and a reduction in flowers. All kinds of fertilizers must be fully decomposed before use, but rapeseed cake and fish meal can be directly scattered on the soil surface without decomposition, covered with a thin layer of soil, and allowed to slowly decompose and seep into the soil for absorption by the roots. The amount of fertilizer applied should follow the principle of more for strong seedlings and less or none for weak seedlings. For seedlings that are too weak, replacing the potting soil instead of fertilizing also has a very good effect.

VI. Shading and cold protection

Camellia prefers a warm and humid climate, and both excessive cold and excessive heat are unfavorable to its growth and development. In spring and during the plum rain period, potted camellias should be given sufficient sunlight; otherwise, the branches will develop weakly and be prone to sooty mold and scale insect damage, or moss will grow on the trunks, leading to dead branches, aging, or death. In the high-temperature seasons of summer and autumn, shading and cooling should be carried out in time. When the winter temperature drops below zero, it will cause flower buds to fall off or stamens to freeze, affecting the quality of flowering. Therefore, the indoor overwintering temperature for potted seedlings should be kept at about 3 to 4°C. If the temperature exceeds 16°C, it will promote early germination and, in severe cases, cause leaf and bud drop.

VII. Disease control

The main pests of camellia are stem borers and scale insects. The main diseases include anthracnose and sooty mold on the leaves, as well as moss parasitism on the branches and trunk. Affected branches should be cut off in time and pesticides should be sprayed for control.

VIII. Precautions

Camellia should not be heavily pruned. Its flowers, leaves, and buds develop over a long period, and the crown forms relatively evenly, so basically no special pruning is needed. It is enough to cut off diseased and pest-infested branches, overly dense branches, and weak branches, and to shorten excessively long shoots. Camellia is a multi-flowered tree species, especially on weakened plants. If flower buds are dense, they will consume too many nutrients, which is unfavorable to plant growth. Therefore, bud thinning is an important part of cultivation and management. It is advisable to keep 1 to 2 buds per branch, with a maximum of only 3, and maintain a certain distance. The removed flower buds can be used medicinally. Camellia has a relatively long flowering period, with the entire flowering period lasting up to half a year, so promptly removing flowers that are close to withering is greatly beneficial for reducing nutrient consumption and strengthening the tree's vigor.

The above is the introduction from Tuliu.com on the growing methods and precautions for potted camellias. Friends who grow potted camellias at home can refer to it. Camellia has a flowering period of up to half a year and is a flowering plant well worth recommending for growing at home for ornamental purposes.