How to grow camellias so they bloom profusely and flourish? Do these 7 things well

To grow camellias well, you truly need a great deal of patience, and even more so a certain level of skill. Those who have only enthusiasm but no skill cannot possibly grow camellias well. Below are 7 tips for growing camellias. Do these 7 things well, and your camellia will bloom profusely and flourish!

1. Timely transplanting or repotting

Camellias should be repotted or transplanted from October to February of the following year on the Gregorian calendar. November in particular is the best season for transplanting camellias. After November, the later the transplanting, the more unfavourable it is for the plant to recover. Many friends like to transplant seedlings during the Spring Festival, which is one of the main reasons camellias grow poorly.

2. Use loose, breathable soil to grow camellias

Loose, breathable, slightly acidic soil is most suitable for camellia growth, and it is best if it has a certain level of fertility, such as: “orchid soil”, garden soil, red sandy loam, etc. Whether planted in pots or in the ground, these types of soil should be used as the medium as much as possible. Some people think red soil is strongly acidic, so they use red soil to grow camellias. In fact, although red loam is acidic, it is highly sticky and poor in breathability, which is very unfavourable for camellias to take root.

3. An environment suitable for camellia growth

Most camellias in their native habitat grow in semi-shaded, semi-sunny environments, but this does not mean camellias do not need sunlight. Practice has proven that in spring, autumn and winter, camellias need appropriate light. During the spring period when new branches and leaves emerge, camellias that receive light have thicker leaves and short, thick, sturdy internodes on the branches. Because the light is sufficient, they can carry out photosynthesis as much as possible to produce carbohydrates and accumulate more nutrients, laying a good nutritional foundation for the flower bud formation that follows immediately.

Full sun can continue until the end of June, unless abnormally unusual weather occurs during this period with high temperatures above 35 degrees, in which case appropriate shading should be provided. Because the light is sufficient, this period is also unfavourable for the occurrence of pests and diseases. In summer's high temperatures, provide appropriate shading.

Likewise, in autumn as temperatures gradually decline, starting from mid-to-late September until before the high temperatures of the following summer, appropriate sunlight is needed. Because temperatures during this period are not high, normal fertilizer and water management will not cause sunburn. Yet sufficient sunlight can bring more nutrient accumulation, and only in this way can higher-quality flowers be produced.

4. Water management: “dry-wet cycle”

Camellias have a very particular growth habit. They fear both dryness and waterlogging, and are rather delicate. Therefore, camellia water management has relatively high requirements and should follow the principle of “dry-wet cycle”, that is: wait until the soil looks somewhat dry before watering, and when watering, be sure to water thoroughly and soak it through. Some friends, to prevent problems with camellias, often keep the potting soil very moist, which tends to easily cause root rot.

5. Light fertilizer, applied frequently

Camellias both like fertilizer and fear fertilizer, so special care must be taken with fertilizing. Camellia fertilizing should adhere to the principle of “light fertilizer, applied frequently”, with fertilizer solution diluted at a concentration of 300-500 times, and fertilizing once a month is appropriate. In autumn and winter, fertilizing should be appropriately reduced. Impatient friends, wanting camellias to grow quickly, like to apply heavy fertilizer to camellias, which often backfires and causes fertilizer damage.

6. Be ruthless in thinning flower buds

Except for a few varieties, most camellia varieties relatively easily set flower buds. Too many flower buds will cause the camellia plant to weaken, or even die. For camellias with too many flower buds, thin the buds before September on the Gregorian calendar as much as possible, which will allow the camellia to produce brilliant flowers. Taking a medium-flowered camellia variety with a crown diameter of about 40 cm (such as: Chidan) as an example, keeping 5-10 flower buds is sufficient. If it is a large-flowered variety such as: Kramers Supreme, Saimudan, Mrs. D. W. Davis, etc., then keeping 3-5 is enough.

7. Prune once a year

Pruning can make the camellia tree shape neat and beautiful, and can also promote the sprouting of new branches, playing a role in rejuvenation. Each year when the camellias have just finished blooming (around late February to early March), the camellia should be pruned once, trimming the tree shape neatly and cutting off diseased and weak branches.