How much does the Shiba Xueshi camellia cost? Detailed planting methods
Shiba Xueshi is a rare treasure among camellias, with a graceful tree shape and a peculiarly structured flower. It is composed of more than 70 to 130 petals forming a hexagonal corolla, with distinct tower-like layers arranged in order, very beautiful. The petals of two adjacent angles are arranged in about 18 whorls, hence it is called “Shiba Xueshi” (Eighteen Scholars), and is deeply loved by people. Let us take a look below at the price and planting methods of the Shiba Xueshi camellia!
How much does the Shiba Xueshi camellia cost?
The price of a potted Shiba Xueshi camellia is about 30 to 50 yuan per pot, and the price of a seedling is about 5 to 8 yuan per plant, but prices vary greatly depending on the specifications, variety and market of the camellia. The Shiba Xueshi camellia fears wind and loves sunlight. It should be planted in soil with air circulation, warm and humid conditions, good drainage and loose fertility, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 being optimal. The suitable temperature is between 20 and 32°C; growth stops above 29°C, and at 35°C the leaves will show scorching. The environmental humidity should be above 70%, and it can tolerate a low temperature of -8°C.
What varieties of Shiba Xueshi are there?
1. Red Shiba Xueshi: The branches of the red Shiba Xueshi are upright, the young branches are dark brown, the leaves are elliptical to ovate with a papillary protrusion at the tip and glossy blades. The single flower is terminal, red in color, with abundant blooms, flowering from February to April.
2. White Shiba Xueshi: The flowers of the white Shiba Xueshi are small to medium-sized, white, fully double, with flat petals bearing red stripes and completely degenerated stamens, flowering from February to April.
3. Pink Shiba Xueshi: The pink Shiba Xueshi is a variety of camellia with traits the same as the white Shiba Xueshi, except that the flowers are pink or pink with purple-red streaks, and occasionally all-red flowers appear. The flowering period is from early February to late March.
Propagation methods of Shiba Xueshi
1. Cuttage: In the rainy season of May to June, select a young mother tree, cut a one-year-old tender branch from the top, insert it into a medium of river sand or gravel, with an insertion depth of 1/3 to 2/3. After insertion, cover with grass curtains for shade, strengthen leaf-surface spraying, and maintain the air humidity of the cutting bed to promote rooting.
2. Grafting: Select vigorous seedlings or camellia varieties that root easily from cuttings as rootstock, and use 1- to 2-year-old branches as scions, keeping 1 to 2 leaves on the upper part of the scion. After grafting, cover the scion with a plastic bag.
3. Bud cutting: For bud cutting, use each bud node as a section, keep one leaf, about 1.5 cm long, cut the lower part diagonally, and then insert it into the medium, with the depth just covering the branch. This method can make full use of branches and is suitable for large-scale propagation needs.
Planting methods of Shiba Xueshi
1. Soil: The Shiba Xueshi camellia prefers slightly acidic, humus-rich, loose and airy mountain red soil, with a pH value between 5 and 6.5. It can be prepared using 50% mountain soil, 40% sawdust or edible mushroom residue, and 10% cake fertilizer powder or livestock manure and phosphate fertilizer powder.
2. Light: The Shiba Xueshi camellia needs suitable light, but is also afraid of direct high-temperature sunlight. In spring and late autumn, move the camellia to a balcony or ground with more light. In summer, move the flowerpot to a shaded, well-ventilated environment for care.
3. Temperature: The Shiba Xueshi camellia likes warmth, and the most suitable temperature for growth is 18°C to 25°C, with a relative humidity of 60% to 65%. Although it tolerates low temperatures, a sudden drop below 0°C or an encounter with dry northwest winds will cause frost damage to tender branches, and flower buds will wither when frostbitten.
4. Watering: The Shiba Xueshi camellia likes a relatively humid climate and also likes moist soil, so potted camellias should be given sufficient water. During the spring and autumn growing seasons, water once a day; in summer, especially during the “sanfu days”, water once in the morning and once in the evening each day.
5. Fertilizing: The Shiba Xueshi camellia likes fertilizer. During fertilization, apply sufficient liquid fertilizer, and combine with repotting to apply sufficient long-acting fertilizer. The principle of fertilization is to prefer light over heavy, dilute over concentrated, and less over more. The method of applying thin fertilizer frequently must be adhered to, and especially do not apply raw fertilizer.
6. Ventilation: The Shiba Xueshi camellia likes to grow in an environment with moderately flowing air, and most loves gentle breezes and the moisture brought by southeast winds, but fears northwest winds and strong winds, which make water evaporate too quickly and cause an imbalance between supply and demand, resulting in bud and flower drop.