The benefits and uses of Golden Camellia, plus how to eat it: ornamental, brewed as tea, and also used as medicine
Golden Camellia, everyone should have heard of it. Its flowers are golden yellow, dazzling and eye-catching, and it is deeply loved by flower lovers. In daily life, because of its beauty, many people grow it in pots at home. But if you think it is only good-looking, then you underestimate it too much, because Golden Camellia has many benefits and uses, not only can it be used as medicine
Golden Camellia, everyone should have heard of it. Its flowers are golden yellow, dazzling and eye-catching, and it is deeply loved by flower lovers. In daily life, because of its beauty, many people grow it in pots at home. But if you think it is only good-looking, then you underestimate it too much, because Golden Camellia has many benefits and uses, not only can it be used as medicine, but it can also be eaten. Let's take a look together.
I. The benefits and uses of Golden Camellia
1. Ornamental value
When it comes to the benefits of Golden Camellia, the first thing everyone thinks of is certainly its ornamental value. As shown in the picture, the leaves of Golden Camellia are crystal clear and glossy, the petals are transparent, spotless; the flower color is golden yellow, dazzling and eye-catching, as if coated with a layer of wax, crystal clear and glossy. Just looking at it makes people feel pleased and delighted, and its ornamental value is unmatched.
2. Economic value
Those attracted by the beauty of Golden Camellia will certainly want to grow it, but when they see its price, the vast majority of people will back off. According to research, Golden Camellia has extremely high economic value. For a Golden Camellia bonsai 1-1.5 m tall with a good shape, the price is 8,000 yuan; for one about 2 m tall, the price ranges from 26,000 yuan to tens of thousands of yuan!
3. Scientific research value
Golden Camellia has a special color genetic gene DNA. By studying it, scientists can develop world-class medical and health care products to benefit human health. Therefore, scientific research value is also one of the benefits of Golden Camellia.
4. Medicinal value
In addition to ornament and scientific research, the benefits of Golden Camellia are also reflected in its medicinal use. It is understood that Golden Camellia has extremely high nutritional value, contains more than 400 kinds of nutrients, and all are non-toxic and have no side effects. After being used as medicine, it can treat various diseases in the human body, specifically as follows:
① Enhancing immunity
Golden Camellia contains a variety of nutritional and health care elements. After being used, it will prompt our blood to become weakly alkaline, thereby activating lymphocytes in the immune system and improving and strengthening the body's immunity. When immunity becomes stronger, the ability to resist viruses will also become stronger, so we will not get sick easily.
② Detoxification
Among the medicinal benefits of Golden Camellia, it also has a good detoxification function. When Golden Camellia products are taken by us, they will reduce our body's absorption of sugar from food and release toxins from the body, expelling them out of the body.
③ Lowering blood sugar
According to research, Golden Camellia can activate pancreatic islet cells, promote the secretion of insulin, and accelerate the decomposition and metabolism of blood sugar. To some extent, taking Golden Camellia products will effectively block the source of endogenous blood sugar, promote the ability of cells to absorb blood sugar, reduce the body's blood sugar content, and make people's bodies healthier.
II. How to eat Golden Camellia: brewing tea
1. Take 2-3 Golden Camellia flowers, wash them, put them into a glass cup, and add 200 ml of boiling water. After 2-3 minutes, we will smell a faint fragrance, and at this time the effect of drinking is better. When drinking Golden Camellia, after it enters the mouth, it will be a little bitter at first, and then gradually feel sweet. This feeling of sweetness after bitterness makes people addicted after drinking.
2. Take 1-3 Golden Camellia flowers and brew them with tea leaves. The tea color will be clearer, and the tea taste and floral fragrance will blend, making the tea soup more rich and fragrant. The boiled flowers should not be wasted. After all, they contain more than 400 kinds of non-toxic and side-effect-free nutrients. We can put them together with bird's nest, ginseng, cordyceps, reishi mushroom, etc. to make soup, which is even more nutritious.
Golden Camellia Camellia nitidissima C. W. Chi Golden Camellia illustrated guide: how to grow Golden Camellia / how to propagate Golden Camellia
Golden Camellia profileGolden Camellia Camellia nitidissima C. W. Chi
How to grow Golden Camellia and precautions: an introduction to Golden Camellia
Golden Camellia is a traditional famous flower native to China, and it is also a world-famous precious ornamental plant. It is a rare flower and tree under first-class national protection. It is distributed in Guangxi and other places, and generally grows in mountain evergreen forests on non-calcareous soil. In addition to high ornamental value, it can also be used to treat diseases.
Golden Camellia belongs to the Theaceae family and the Camellia genus, and is a twin sister to tea, camellia, Nanshan tea, oil tea, tea plum, and others. The flowers of Golden Camellia are golden yellow, dazzling and eye-catching, as if coated with a layer of wax, crystal clear and glossy, with a somewhat translucent feeling. Golden Camellia grows singly in leaf axils. When the flowers bloom, they are cup-shaped, pot-shaped, or bowl-shaped, charming and varied, elegant and refined. Previously, people had never seen a species with golden yellow flowers. In 1960, Chinese scientific workers first discovered a golden yellow camellia in the Nanning area of Guangxi, and it was named Golden Camellia. Foreign countries call it the magical Oriental magic tea, and it is praised as the "giant panda of the plant kingdom" and the "queen of the tea family."
Morphological characteristics of Golden Camellia
Shrub, 2-3 m tall, young branches hairless. Leaves leathery, oblong or lanceolate, or oblanceolate, 11-16 cm long, 2.5-4.5 cm wide, apex caudate-acuminate, base cuneate, dark green and shiny above, hairless, light green below, hairless, with black glandular dots, midvein and 7 pairs of lateral veins sunken above and raised below, margin finely serrate, teeth 1-2 mm apart, petiole 7-11 mm long, hairless.
Flowers yellow, axillary, solitary, pedicel 7-10 mm long; bracts 5, scattered, broadly ovate, 2-3 mm long, 3-5 mm wide, persistent; sepals 5, ovate to round, 4-8 mm long, 7-8 mm wide, slightly connate at base, apex rounded, slightly pubescent on the back; petals 8-12, suborbicular, 1.5-3 cm long, 1.2-2 cm wide, slightly connate at base, margin ciliate; stamens arranged in 4 whorls, outer whorl slightly connate with petals, filaments nearly free or slightly united, hairless, 1.2 cm long; ovary hairless, 3-4 locular, styles 3-4, hairless, 1.8 cm long.
Capsule oblate triangular-globose, 3.5 cm long, 4.5 cm wide, dehiscing into 3 valves, valve 4-7 mm thick, axis 3-4-angled, apex 3-4-cleft; fruit stalk 1 cm long, with persistent bracts and sepals; seeds 6-8, about 2 cm long. Flowering period November-December.
Evergreen shrub or small tree, 2-6 m tall, bark light yellow, smooth. Leaves alternate, broadly lanceolate to long elliptic. Flowers solitary in leaf axils or nearly terminal, golden yellow, petals fleshy, with waxy luster, cup-shaped, pot-shaped, or bowl-shaped when open, 3-6 cm in diameter; petals 9-11, broadly ovate to obovate or oblong, fleshy, with waxy luster; flowering period November to March of the following year. Capsule triangular oblate, containing 6-8 seeds, seed coat dark brown, yellow-green, or purple-brown; fruiting period October-December.
Ecological habits of Golden Camellia
Golden Camellia likes a warm and humid climate and likes well-drained acidic soil. It can grow in slightly acidic to neutral soil. It mostly grows in shady slope stream gullies with loose soil and good drainage. During the seedling stage it likes shade, and after entering the flowering stage it quite likes transmitted sunlight. It has no strict requirements for soil and can grow in slightly acidic to neutral soil. It tolerates barrenness and also likes fertilizer. It has strong waterlogging tolerance. It often lives together with plants such as Gnetum montanum, Acacia pennata, Byttneria aspera, Phoebe zhennan, and Liriodendron chinense.
Environmental requirements
Golden Camellia is a heat-loving plant and belongs to tropical tree species. It has high heat requirements, but there are certain differences among species and at different growth stages. When introduced to a mid-subtropical climate, it can still grow and develop normally. Golden Camellia has the characteristic of liking moisture and humidity. Different species and different growth periods have different requirements for water and moisture conditions. The vegetative growth period requires relatively high moisture, while too much rain during the flowering period can easily cause flower drop. Golden Camellia cannot endure direct sunlight and is a shade-loving and shade-tolerant plant. The required light intensity is generally 320-600 Lux, but there are differences among species. Under different light conditions, plant growth, fruiting ability, and regeneration capacity are positively correlated with shade degree.
Distribution area of Golden Camellia
It is distributed in Vietnam and in Guangxi and other places in mainland China. It generally grows in mountain evergreen forests on non-calcareous soil. At present, it has not yet been introduced and cultivated artificially.
Golden Camellia is an ancient plant, extremely rare, with an extremely narrow distribution. 90% of the world's wild Golden Camellia is distributed only in the Lanshan branch area of the Shiwandashan Mountains in Fangchenggang City, Guangxi, China. It grows below 700 m above sea level, and is more commonly seen in the range of 200-500 m above sea level. The lower limit of its vertical distribution is about 20 m above sea level. For example, Golden Camellia is still distributed in the coastal hilly terraces near Dawangjiang in Fangcheng County. The upper limit of vertical distribution can reach 890 m above sea level. For example, individual small-petal Golden Camellia can still be seen in Natao Mountain in Ningming County, with extremely small numbers. It is a rare and precious plant in the world.
The dietary therapy or medicinal value of Golden Camellia
The medical information and health dietary information on Huhuawang are for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. Any health problem should be consulted with professional medical personnel, and the treatment of any disease should follow medical advice.
Ultimate flower-protecting task: To love yourself, start from reality and strictly follow medical advice. For illness, do not be careless, do not delay, do not give up hope, face it bravely, warm the silent world with love, and care for the flower field in your heart with your heart.
The medical content on Huhuawang is for reference only and cannot be regarded as professional advice. For any health problem, you should consult professional medical personnel. Medicinal value.
According to tests by authoritative institutions such as the Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Health Supervision and Inspection Center, the Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Analysis and Testing Research Center, Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical University, and the Experimental Center of Guangxi Agricultural College: Golden Camellia is non-toxic, contains more than 400 kinds of nutrients, and has no toxic side effects. It is rich in various natural nutritional components such as tea polysaccharides, tea polyphenols, total saponins, total flavonoids, tea pigments, caffeine, protein, vitamin B1, B2, vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, fatty acids, and B-carotene; Golden Camellia contains dozens of amino acids such as theanine and threonine, as well as trace elements such as natural organic germanium (Ge), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), and vanadium (V) that have important health care effects on the human body, and macroelements such as potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). The main functional components it contains and their effects are as follows:
Tea polysaccharides: Golden Camellia contains abundant polysaccharide substances. Polysaccharides can effectively control the rise in postprandial blood sugar and improve glucose tolerance, and can improve lipid metabolism disorders, with an obvious blood sugar-lowering effect.
Tea polyphenols: Golden Camellia contains abundant tea polyphenols. Tea polyphenols can scavenge free radicals and can reduce the rise in DM blood sugar, thereby improving its glucose tolerance and stabilizing blood sugar.
Total saponins: The saponin content of Golden Camellia is 6300 mg/kg. It strengthens the heart, relaxes blood vessels and resists fatigue, slows heart rate and has a biphasic blood pressure effect, promotes the biosynthesis of DNA, protein, and lipids, quenches thirst and promotes fluid production, drains pus and reduces swelling, soothes the throat and relieves pain, and relieves fever and pain.
Total flavonoids: The total flavonoid content of Golden Camellia is 4400 mg/kg. It dilates coronary blood vessels, lowers high blood pressure, enhances cardiac contraction, reduces the number of heartbeats, quenches thirst and resolves phlegm, is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, resists capillary fragility and abnormal permeability, is anti-tumor, protects the liver and promotes bile flow, is purgative, relieves spasms, has follicle hormone-like effects, relieves fever and pain, lowers cholesterol, and promotes diuresis.
Tea pigments: Golden Camellia contains abundant tea pigments, which lower blood sugar, urine sugar, blood lipids, and glycated hemoglobin, reduce insulin resistance, improve blood rheology, and alleviate microcirculation disorders. They lower cholesterol and triglycerides and increase high-density lipoprotein, and have preventive and therapeutic effects on DM complications such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and atherosclerosis.
Selenium (Se): Golden Camellia contains selenium. Selenium is a component of glutathione enzyme in human red blood cells. It has antioxidant effects and protects cell membranes and the cardiovascular system. Chinese scientists have also found that selenium is an effective drug for treating Keshan disease and Kashin-Beck disease. In addition, selenium also has a detoxifying function, reducing the toxicity of aflatoxin B1, reducing the toxicity of certain chemical carcinogens, and also reducing toxin damage to liver cells.
Germanium (Ge): Golden Camellia contains germanium, which can lower the bioelectric potential of cancer cells, change their physiological state, inhibit the proliferation and growth of cancer cells, and also induce interferon, an anti-cancer substance in the human body, and can induce macrophages to become anti-cancer cells. Therefore, some people use germanium to treat cancer. In addition, germanium also has obvious therapeutic effects on vascular sclerosis, cerebral thrombosis, cerebral hemorrhage, kidney and liver diseases, stomach diseases, diabetes, arthritis, and chronic neuralgia.
Zinc (Zn): The zinc content of Golden Camellia is 283 mg/kg, with a high zinc content. Zinc is related to active enzymes in the human body, such as carboxypeptidase, an important enzyme that promotes protein hydrolysis in the intestinal tract; this enzyme contains zinc. Zinc can increase appetite, promote growth and development, promote tissue regeneration, enhance sexual function, enhance immune function, enhance resistance, and also protect vision.
Vanadium (V): It is related to the metabolism of lipids and cholesterol. It can promote hematopoietic function and significantly lower plasma cholesterol. In animals deficient in V, serum triglycerides increase and cholesterol content rises. Research shows that: the serum total cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein of animals in the Golden Camellia group are significantly lower than those in the high-fat animal control group; serum total cholesterol: the Golden Camellia group decreased by 35% compared with the high-fat group; the clofibrate group decreased by 33.2% compared with the high-fat group; beta-lipoprotein: the Golden Camellia group decreased by 36.6% compared with the high-fat group; the clofibrate group decreased by 23% compared with the high-fat group (clofibrate is a worldwide recognized drug for lowering cholesterol and blood lipids).
Manganese (Mn): The content is relatively high. It is an essential trace element for the human body and participates in various enzymatic reactions. It can improve lipid metabolism in patients with atherosclerosis. It prevents atherosclerosis. The incidence of arteriosclerosis in the American population is relatively high, and the concentrations of Mn, Cr, and Cu in their aortas are lower than those in Asians and Africans, who have lower incidences of arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
Potassium (K): It can maintain intracellular osmotic pressure and maintain normal heart contraction, among other effects.
Vitamin B1: Golden Camellia contains abundant vitamin B1, which has a therapeutic effect on preventing glucose metabolism disorders and maintains the normal functions of the nervous system, digestive system, and heart.
Vitamin B2: It participates in the body's redox reactions and maintains the normal mechanism of the retina.
Vitamin C: Golden Camellia contains abundant vitamin C, which can maintain the normal toughness and permeability of capillaries, thereby enabling DM patients with originally fragile capillaries to restore their normal function by drinking tea.
Vitamin A: It has the effect of preventing night blindness and cataracts and fighting cancer.
Benefits of Golden Camellia:
1. Golden Camellia has an obvious effect of lowering blood sugar and urine sugar, and can effectively improve the "three highs" symptoms of diabetes. While effectively lowering blood sugar and blood pressure, Golden Camellia can effectively lower blood lipids, improve various discomfort symptoms caused by high blood pressure, reduce serum cholesterol and B-lipoprotein, promote insulin secretion, enhance immunity, regulate blood flow, prevent atherosclerosis, and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, clears heat and detoxifies, promotes bowel movements and diuresis and removes dampness, enhances liver metabolism, and prevents cancer and inhibits tumor growth, among others.
2. Golden Camellia has unique and miraculous effects on lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, blood lipids, and cholesterol, and on diabetes and its complications, playing a synergistic and balancing regulatory role.
Health care effects
1. Anti-cancer effect:
Selenium (Se): It can prevent the formation of free radicals. It can destroy the epoxides formed by carcinogens in the body. Na2SeO3 can inhibit DNA synthesis in rat liver cancer cells and reduce DNA synthesis in the human rectal adenocarcinoma cell line HR8348. Se can also selectively act on many biochemical metabolisms of tumor cells to achieve an anti-cancer effect.
Germanium (Ge): It is known that all human organs have their fixed electric potential. The electric potential of cancer cells is both high and changes drastically. Ge may control and lower the electric potential of cancer cells through dehydrogenation.
Molybdenum (Mo): It has resistance to chemical carcinogenesis, namely the carcinogenic effect of benzo(alpha)pyrene.
Tea polyphenols: Experts from the Japanese Cancer Association believe they can control the proliferation of cancer cells.
2. Effect of lowering cholesterol and ?lipoprotein:
Mo: It can improve lipid metabolism in patients with atherosclerosis. It prevents experimental atherosclerosis.
Since Golden Camellia was discovered, according to determinations by authoritative departments of modern medicine and related scientific research institutions: Golden Camellia is non-toxic, and the trace elements it is rich in, such as germanium (Ge), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), and vanadium (V), have important health care effects on the human body. Golden Camellia leaves also contain various beneficial components needed by the human body, such as multiple amino acids, tea polyphenols, saponins, and flavonoids. In addition to being ornamental, its flowers can also be used as medicine, can treat blood in the stool and excessive menstruation in women, and can also be used as a food dye. In addition to being brewed as a beverage, the leaves also have medicinal value.
Golden Camellia has obvious effects on regulating human blood lipids, blood sugar, and cholesterol and enhancing body immunity. It can improve various discomfort symptoms caused by high blood pressure, and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, clears heat and detoxifies, promotes diuresis and reduces swelling, enhances liver and kidney vitality, prevents blood artery hardening, and prevents cancer and inhibits tumor growth, among others. According to investigations, Golden Camellia has long been used among the people to refresh the mind, clear liver fire, relieve heat toxin, and nourish vitality. Guangxi Ethnic Medicine Brief Compilation, Guangxi Standards for Chinese Medicinal Materials, Proceedings of the China Fangcheng Golden Camellia International Academic Conference, Proceedings of the China Guangxi Golden Camellia International Symposium, Chinese Zhuang Medicine, and Dictionary of Medicinal Plants all contain pharmacological records of Golden Camellia.
Uses of Golden Camellia: ornamental value
The discovery of Golden Camellia filled the gap that the tea family had no golden yellow flowers. Its waxy green leaves are crystal clear and glossy, the petals are transparent, firm, bright, and smooth, spotless; the flower buds are round, flowing with golden radiance; the petals overlap densely, bright and charming, dotted among jade-like leaves and fine branches, graceful and elegant, with golden petals and jade-like stamens, beautiful and pleasing, delightful to the eye, and its ornamental value is unmatched.
Scientific research value
Golden Camellia has a special color genetic gene DNA, and its reproduction is difficult to replicate. Using high technology to solve the survival genes of various excellent seedlings for rapid propagation of Golden Camellia, overcome the difficult problem of its very low survival rate; break through the key technology of slow growth and low yield of Golden Camellia, and greatly increase the yield of large-scale Golden Camellia cultivation; deeply develop a new generation of world-class medical and health care products from Golden Camellia to benefit human health. All of these have extremely important scientific research value.
Economic value
The economic value of Golden Camellia is extremely high. First, the price of the flowers for appreciation is high. For a Golden Camellia bonsai 1-1.5 m tall with a relatively good shape, the price is 8,000 yuan; for one about 2 m tall, the price ranges from 26,000 yuan to tens of thousands of yuan; Japan once wanted to buy Chinese Golden Camellia for 25,000 US dollars per plant. Second, the added value of Golden Camellia is extremely high. Products produced through industrialized deep processing are recognized and favored by a large number of consumers, and prices have risen steadily, especially the price of flower tea is considerable, trending toward supply falling short of demand.
Propagation methods of Golden Camellia
It can be propagated by sowing, grafting, and cuttings. Seeds have a short lifespan, so they should be collected in time and sown immediately after collection. They can germinate in the same year, and 2-year-old seedlings can be transplanted in spring; cut immediately after collection, they can germinate in the same year, and 2-year-old seedlings can be transplanted in spring; seedlings generally can bloom after 7-8 years.
For cuttings, current-year branches can be used. Spring is a better time. Cuttings can be treated with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) 50 ppm or 100 ppm for 20 hours.
Grafting is better in autumn. For air layering, moss is used as the medium, keeping it moist. For tissue culture, materials such as cotyledons, hypocotyls, and shoot tips are used as explants. Using modified ER medium, complete plants can be obtained, and the survival rate after transplanting is high. Transplanting wild seedlings has a low survival rate and is not suitable.
The cultivation soil should be breathable and not waterlogged. During the seedling stage, a shade shed must be set up. In areas north of the Yangtze River basin, pot cultivation is suitable, and in winter they must be moved into a greenhouse.
Sowing propagation:Golden Camellia fruits generally mature in early to mid-October and split in late October. After the seeds mature, there is no after-ripening dormancy period. For seed propagation, autumn sowing is suitable. In early to mid-October, place the harvested fruits in a ventilated indoor place to dry in the shade. After the capsules split and the seeds are taken out, sow immediately. If autumn sowing cannot be done, the seeds need to be stored in wet sand and sown in spring in February of the following year.
Cutting propagation:The suitable period for Golden Camellia cutting propagation is from April to early May, and it can also be done in mid-to-late September. Select current-year semi-ripened branches from the outer part of the crown that are full in tissue, have complete leaves, plump leaf buds, and no pests or diseases. The cuttings are generally 15 cm long, with 2 leaves retained at the tip and a heel at the base. After treating the branches with IBA 300 ppm for 5 hours, insert them into the seedbed at a spacing of 10-14 cm x 3-4 cm, with the cutting inserted about 3 cm deep into the soil. The key to the survival of tea cuttings is to maintain sufficient humidity in the early stage of seedling raising, avoid direct sunlight, and control the temperature at about 25°C. Spray water frequently so that the seedlings are often covered with a thin film of water. After 1 month, after new roots grow, gradually increase sunlight to accelerate the lignification of the tea seedlings.
Grafting propagation:Golden Camellia grafting propagation is divided into bud seedling rootstock grafting and semi-ripened branch grafting. Bud seedling rootstock grafting. Common single-petal camellia and oil tea camellia can be used as rootstocks. First sow the rootstock seeds in a sand bed. When the seedlings grow to 4-5 cm, they can be grafted. Before grafting, dig out the rootstock bud seedlings, clean off the sand grains, cut them short 1-1.5 cm above the cotyledons, and also cut off the root tip part, so that the total length is 6-7 cm; select well-growing semi-lignified branches as scions, cut them into wedge shapes, and place them in a wet towel to keep moist. When grafting, split the stem vertically along the cotyledon suture line of the bud seedling with one cut, with a depth consistent with the cut surface of the scion. Quickly insert the prepared scion into the split opening of the rootstock, align the cambium on one side of the rootstock and scion, and tie it tightly with a plastic film strip. Then plant the grafted seedlings in a fertile, loose sandy soil seedbed at a spacing of 8 x 2 cm. After planting, build a shed over the seedbed and use plastic film to keep warm. Generally, the graft union begins to heal after 10-15 days, and the film can be uncovered at night after about 20-25 days. After that, gradually increase ventilation and light, and after new buds sprout, remove all the film.
Semi-ripened branch grafting. Usually, adult seedlings of thick camellia or oil tea are used as rootstocks. For rootstock branches with a diameter of more than 1 cm, use bark grafting, that is, at an appropriate part of the rootstock, make one cut each on the top, left, and right, reaching the xylem, and pull down the bark. Attach the scion to the inner side of the pulled bark of the rootstock, then pull the bark up to wrap the scion, bind it with a plastic band, expose the bud tip, and cover it with a plastic bag to keep moist. After 1 month, after the scion sprouts new branches and gradually lignifies, remove the binding. If the thickness of the rootstock is similar to that of the scion, the side grafting method is suitable. Whether semi-ripened branch grafting succeeds mainly depends on the control of the seedbed temperature and the selection of the grafting period. The suitable grafting temperature is 25-30°C, and the suitable grafting period is May-August. At this time, the rootstock bark is easy to pull open, the graft union heals quickly, and the survival rate is high.
Tissue culture:Golden Camellia embryo culture, cotyledon in vitro culture, and shoot tip and single bud culture have been successful. Research results show that the induction of bud formation and rooting in test-tube plantlets is related to factors such as the position of the material taken, inorganic salt concentration, vitamins, sucrose, growth regulators, and light. Embryo culture. Take embryos during the immature stage of young fruits. On the basis of ER and MS media, add 0.5-1 mg/L 6-BA, 0.01 mg/L NAA, 6%-8% sucrose, 500 mg/L hydrolyzed lactalbumin, and other additional components for culture. Roots grow in about 1 week, and after 2 weeks the epicotyl germinates and new buds emerge. Cotyledon in vitro culture. Golden Camellia cotyledons are a good material for inducing embryoids, especially the part near the hypocotyl, where the induction frequency is relatively high, at 15%-25%. During induction, cut the cotyledons into 0.5 mm pieces. The induction medium is 1/2 MS, supplemented with 0.2 mg/L 6-BA and 0.2 mg/L NAA. During the induction process, adventitious buds and false bulbils appear at the same time. False bulbils have strong meristematic ability. Using false bulbils, embryoids, adventitious buds, and false bulbils can again be induced. Shoot tip and single bud culture. Shoot tip and single bud culture is an important way for rapid propagation of Golden Camellia. It is convenient for material collection, has a high proliferation rate, and is genetically stable. Explants use current-year young tender shoot tips and single buds. The medium is MS, supplemented with 6-BA or KT. Studies show that the proliferation number of shoot tips and single buds increases with the increase of 6-BA concentration, but when the 6-BA concentration reaches 5.0 mg/L, the rate of malformed plantlets is high and growth is poor. The combined use of 6-BA 2.0 mg/L and KT 0.5 mg/L makes test-tube plantlets grow robustly, with a low rate of malformed plantlets and a high proliferation number. It is an ideal growth regulator ratio for inducing proliferation.
Cultivation techniques of Golden Camellia: cultivation summary
1. Create a suitable environment. Golden Camellia likes to grow in a semi-shady, semi-cool, and humid environment, and needs regular ventilation, especially in the north. In the glass greenhouse, in addition to being equipped with a boiler and radiators for heating, self-made atomizers, exhaust fans, and other facilities were also installed.
2. Use pine needle soil mixed in proportion and gradually remove the "yellow mud" brought from the south.
3. The water used for watering flowers must be mixed with 1% ferrous sulfate each time, so that the water always maintains a certain weak acidity.
4. In addition to good environmental ventilation, it is also necessary to give it regular "physical exercise." Blow wind once every 2 weeks, and the wind force should be uniform when blowing. The purpose is to promote balanced metabolism and normal development through "exercise."
5. Control temperature. The temperature difference should be 7°C to 10°C. When the greenhouse temperature is 20°C, put down the shade cloth after four or five hours and ventilate immediately.
6. Fertilization. One is diluted yogurt, which can be used directly without fermentation. The other traditional method is fermented soybean cake water. Fertilize once a month.
Flowering period management
Golden Camellia generally blooms only after 3-5 years of planting. It usually appears with yellow flower buds from July to August each year. At this time, some weak branch buds, inward-facing buds, overly dense buds, and malformed buds can be removed. This can concentrate nutrients, make the flowers distribute reasonably, bloom larger, and extend the flowering period. By November, Golden Camellia is fully open, and it remains open until March of the following year. The full flowering period is 1-2 months.
Golden Camellia planting techniques
Golden Camellia is a rare tree species. In its place of origin, Guangxi, due to forest logging and the large-scale digging of wild seedlings, wild germplasm resources have been seriously damaged, and the population is decreasing year by year. Governments at all levels have also strengthened protection. In 1996, the Golden Camellia National Nature Reserve was established in Fangcheng, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, so that Golden Camellia has been effectively protected. The market price of Golden Camellia is high. This year, wild Golden Camellia has basically disappeared, and artificial planting of Golden Camellia has become an inevitable choice.
Golden Camellia is mainly distributed in low mountain or hilly areas at an altitude of 100-700 m. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree and likes a warm, humid, semi-shady climate. It is not tolerant of strong direct light and is relatively shade-tolerant. It requires slightly acidic, well-drained fertile soil.
Golden Camellia can be propagated by grafting, cuttings, layering, and tissue culture. After the seeds mature, they can be sown. Seedlings take about 7-8 years to bloom. Cuttings mostly use one-year-old branches in spring. Grafting is best in autumn. Layering can be carried out throughout its growth period. The flowering period of Golden Camellia is from November each year to March of the following year. A single flower can last as long as 10 days, and a single tree can have more than 200 flowers. When in bloom, the branches are full of flowers, brilliant as gold, and it is a rare tree species in winter. It is suitable for group planting or mass planting in gardens, and can also be used as a potted ornamental.
Section 1 Distribution
Golden Camellia is the collective name for plants in the Golden Camellia section of the Camellia genus in the Theaceae family. It was first discovered in 1993 by Chinese botanist Zuo Jinglie in Fangcheng, Guangxi. At present, 40 species and 5 varieties of Golden Camellia section plants are known in the world. Apart from 10 in Vietnam and 1 each in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou, the remaining 28 species and 4 varieties are all distributed in the southern subtropical margin and northern tropical margin of Guangxi, China, including counties (cities) such as Fangcheng, Ningming, Pingxiang, Longzhou, Chongzuo, Fusui, Daxin, Tiandeng, Long'an, Wuming, Pingguo, Tiandong, and Bobai. Vertical distribution is mostly in low mountain hills at an altitude of 50-650 m, on both sides of mountain gullies and streams in platform areas, and in limestone peak-cluster valleys, especially common under evergreen broad-leaved forests at an altitude of 120-350 m. Guangxi has become the modern geographical distribution center of Golden Camellia and is known as the hometown of Golden Camellia.
Golden Camellia is an ancient plant, extremely rare, with an extremely narrow distribution. 90% of the world's wild Golden Camellia is distributed only in the Lanshan branch area of the Shiwandashan Mountains in Fangchenggang City, Guangxi, China. It grows below 700 m above sea level, and is more commonly seen in the range of 200-500 m above sea level. The lower limit of vertical distribution is about 20 m above sea level.
Among the plants in the Golden Camellia section, in addition to Golden Camellia, species with relatively high ornamental value also include Camellia impressinervis, Camellia euphlebia, Camellia pubipetala, and Camellia chrysantha, among others.
Camellia impressinervis is produced in the evergreen broad-leaved forests of the limestone areas of Longzhou and Daxin, Guangxi. The tree shape is relatively short and small, the flowers and leaves are both relatively large, the flowers are light yellow, and the flowering period is long. The main vein, lateral veins, and reticulate veins are all obviously sunken, and the leaf surface is uneven, with a peculiar form and high value for viewing leaves and flowers.
Camellia euphlebia is found in valley rainforests by mountain valleys and streams in Fangcheng, Guangxi. The tree shape is relatively good, the yellow petals are deep yellow, and the leaves are broad and large. Old leaves are up to 19 cm long and up to 1.5 cm wide, and young leaves are up to 27 cm long and up to 10.5 cm wide. The veins are sunken on the underside of the leaves and raised on the back, and the leaf surface appears uneven. It is good for both viewing leaves and flowers. The flowering period is from November to January of the following year, and the fruit ripening period is November-December.
Camellia pubipetala is found in evergreen broad-leaved forests on limestone mountain slopes in Long'an and Daxin, Guangxi. The flowers are light yellow, and the bracts, sepals, the outside of the petals, and even the filaments are all pubescent. The ovary and style are also pubescent, and the base of the yellow style is connate. The flowering period is from November to April of the following year, and the fruit ripening period is October-November. Camellia multipetala is produced in limestone hills and mixed shrub forests in Fusui, Guangxi. The flowers are deep yellow, without waxiness, and the bracts, sepals, and the inner side of the petals are covered with gray-white pubescence. There are relatively many yellow petals, 11-17, with a maximum of 19. The flowering period is February-March.
Section 2 Suitable growing environment
Golden Camellia likes a warm and humid climate and likes well-drained acidic soil. During the seedling stage it likes shade, and after entering the flowering stage it quite likes transmitted sunlight. It has no strict requirements for soil and can grow in slightly acidic to neutral soil. It tolerates barrenness and also likes fertilizer. It has strong waterlogging tolerance. It is not tolerant of strong direct light and is relatively shade-tolerant. Under strong light, the leaves die. It grows below 700 m above sea level, and is more commonly seen in the range of 200-500 m above sea level. The lower limit of vertical distribution is about 20 m above sea level.
The main distribution area has an average temperature of 21-23°C, an average January temperature of 12.1-14.4°C, an extreme minimum temperature of about 0°C, an average July temperature of 27-23°C, and an extreme maximum temperature of 40°C. Annual precipitation is 1130-1700 mm. The dry and wet seasons are relatively obvious, and the dry season lasts as long as half a year. The air in the forest area is humid, with an average annual relative humidity of about 80%. It is shade-tolerant and is a lower-layer component tree species of northern tropical monsoon forests and valley rainforests. The main associated tree species include Burretiodendron hsienmu, Garcinia paucinervis, Cephalomappa sinensis, Cephalomappa sinensis, Dracontomelon duperreanum, Deutzianthus tonkinensis, Saraca dives, Ficus semicordata, Mytilaria laosensis, Hopea hainanensis, Antiaris toxicaria, and others. Young trees need to grow under shaded conditions, while mature trees grow better under sparse shade. They like to grow in environments with high humidity and little light under shaded arbor forests or in shrublands in gullies, and grow poorly on sunny slopes. They tolerate damp heat and avoid dryness and direct sunlight. The suitable soil for Golden Camellia is acidic soil of lateritic red soil and laterite, calcareous limestone soil, requiring a pH value of 4.5-6.5, deep soil layer, texture from clayey to loose, high soil organic matter and water content, and good structure. It is a deep-rooted tree species, with a developed main root and very few lateral roots and fibrous roots. It has strong sprouting ability and can regenerate by sprouting. During the seedling stage, it produces shoots and grows leaves in spring, summer, and autumn. Mature trees produce new shoots twice a year, and young leaves are purple-red. Buds appear from July to August. The flowering period is from November to April of the following year, with the full flowering period in January-February. Each flower opens for about 10 d, and the fruit ripens from October to December. Under natural conditions, as long as temperature and humidity are suitable, seeds are relatively easy to germinate after falling to the ground.
Section 3 Propagation and cultivation
Propagation by sowing, grafting, and cuttings. The cultivation soil should be breathable and not waterlogged. During the seedling stage, a shade shed must be set up. In areas north of the Yangtze River basin, pot cultivation is suitable, and in winter they must be moved into a greenhouse. Golden Camellia is a heat-loving plant and belongs to tropical tree species. It has high heat requirements, but there are certain differences among species and at different growth stages. When introduced to a mid-subtropical climate, it can still grow and develop normally. Golden Camellia has the characteristic of liking moisture and humidity. Different species and different growth periods have different requirements for water and moisture conditions. The vegetative growth period requires relatively high moisture, while too much rain during the flowering period can easily cause flower drop. Golden Camellia cannot endure direct sunlight and is a shade-loving and shade-tolerant plant. The required light intensity is generally 320-600 Lax, but there are differences among species. Under different light conditions, plant growth, fruiting ability, and regeneration capacity are positively correlated with shade degree. Golden Camellia plants are divided into two major categories: acid-loving and acid-tolerant Golden Camellia and calcium-loving and calcium-tolerant Golden Camellia. Under natural conditions, Golden Camellia has not been seen appearing on two types of soil with different properties, but under artificial introduction and cultivation, stone mountain area species can grow on acidic soil. Golden Camellia growing on two types of soil with different properties have different requirements for ash and elements.
I. Propagation techniques
1. Cuttings
In the rainy season from May to June, select young mother trees, cut one-year-old tender branches from the top, about 10 cm long, remove the lower leaves, flatten the cut below the node with a blade, retain one terminal bud and one lateral bud and 2-3 leaves at the tip, and insert them into river sand or gravel medium, with an insertion depth of 1/3-2/3. After insertion, cover with straw curtains for shade, strengthen leaf surface spraying, maintain air humidity in the cutting bed, and promote rooting. To improve the survival rate of cuttings, soak the cuttings in 50-100 ppm ABT rooting powder solution for 8-12 hours.
2. Grafting
Select robust seedlings or camellia varieties that root easily from cuttings as rootstock, cut off at 4-5 cm above ground level, split through the pith about 1.5 cm deep, use 1-2 year old branches as scions, keep 1-2 leaves on the upper part of the scion, cut the lower part into a wedge shape, insert into the split opening of the rootstock, ensuring the cambium layers of both sides are in close contact, then bind tightly with plastic tape.
Aftercare management: After grafting, cover the scion with a plastic bag and tie it below with a string, but not too tightly, so that water droplets form inside the bag and continuously drip onto the rootstock. Then add a paper bag over the plastic bag to shade from direct sunlight.
3. Bud cuttings
Take each bud node as a segment, keep one leaf, about 1.5 cm long, cut the lower part diagonally, then insert into the medium, with the depth just covering the branch. This method makes full use of branches and is suitable for large-scale propagation needs.
II. Transplanting
1. Open-field planting of Golden Camellia
1) Soil: Choose fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic loam with a pH value between 5.5 and 6.
2) Planting time: Spring planting in February to March, mainly with small seedlings; autumn planting after November gives better results.
3) Fertilization: Camellias do not like heavy fertilization. Generally, fertilize 2-4 times before flowering in October to November and after flowering in April to May. Fertilizers mainly include compound fertilizer and compost, combined with an appropriate amount of phosphate fertilizer; (fertilization principle: apply thinly and frequently. Apply more to strong seedlings, less or none to weak seedlings).
4) Camellias grow slowly and should not be heavily pruned; the canopy develops evenly and does not require special pruning, only removing diseased and pest-infested branches, overly dense branches, weak branches and leggy branches. For newly planted seedlings, moderate pruning may be done to ensure survival. Bud removal is an important part of cultivation management; generally, keep at most 3 flower buds per branch with a certain spacing, which can reduce excessive nutrient consumption by the plant and its impact on blooming. The flowering period of camellias lasts up to half a year; promptly removing wilted flowers reduces nutrient consumption and greatly benefits tree vigor.
5) Pest and disease control and intertillage weeding: The main diseases of camellias include brown spot disease, chlorosis, and moss parasitism on branches. Pests include red spider mites, various scale insects, nettle moths, and rose sawflies. The occurrence of pests and diseases greatly affects tree vigor and ornamental value. Control methods are as follows: for brown spot disease, spray Bordeaux mixture before spring sprouting, then continue spraying every half month for prevention, pay attention to drainage and fertilization, remove and burn infected leaves. Chlorosis is mainly caused by soil deficiency in trace elements, and can be prevented and treated by frequently applying ferrous sulfate or magnesium sulfate solution. For red spider mites and various scale insects, spray pine resin mixture and strengthen ventilation. For various nettle moths and rose sawflies, spray 40% omethoate at 400-155 times dilution or 80% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate at 1000-1200 times dilution for control. Intertillage and weeding, and cleaning the garden can also effectively prevent and control pests and diseases, strengthen tree vigor, and make flowers larger. Intertillage and weeding should be done 6-7 times throughout the year.
2. Potted cultivation of Golden Camellia
1) Potting soil selection: Choose slightly acidic, loose, fertile mixed soil as potting soil. The mixing ratio is 6 parts garden soil, 3 parts pine leaf humus soil, and 1-2 parts sandy soil.
2) Pot selection: Clay pots are best for cultivation. The ratio of pot size to seedling is: for camellias with a seedling height of 40-50 cm and a crown width of 20-25 cm, the pot diameter should be about 20 cm. Other sizes follow the same principle. For commercial seedlings, purple clay pots are better and can enhance ornamental effect.
3) Seedling selection: Choose plants that are robust, have a single trunk without branching, a beautiful canopy, tender green leaves, and no pests or diseases.
4) Watering management: For newly planted seedlings, water thoroughly the first time, then water frequently within 2 months to keep the potting soil moist. Afterward, water as with other potted flowering plants. The frequency depends on climate conditions, following the principle of keeping the soil moist. Water more in spring to meet the needs of sprouting and shoot growth; in summer, water in the morning and evening; in the rainy season, prevent waterlogging; in autumn drought, water promptly; in winter, to prevent freezing, water at noon.
5) Shading and cold protection: Camellias need sufficient sunlight in spring and the rainy season; in summer and autumn, provide shade to lower temperature; when winter temperatures drop to zero degrees, move indoors for cold protection.
6) Flowering period control: Mainly through variety selection, temperature control and hormone treatment to achieve early or delayed flowering. For example, to delay flowering, choose late-flowering varieties and subject them to low-temperature control (cold storage above 2-3 degrees, storing plants that have been wrapped for cold protection), which can delay flowering by one month. To promote early flowering, choose early-flowering varieties such as Xiaotaohong, Xueta, Simianjing, etc., then apply heavy fertilizer and hormone treatment. The method is: when spring growth of camellias stops and flower buds form, apply heavy fertilizer to help the young branches after flowering fill out and mature early and stop growing early; in mid-July or early August, use a brush to apply 500-1000 PPm gibberellin to the flower buds, once every three days, accompanied by reasonable water and fertilizer; in September, depending on the plumpness of flower buds, apply gibberellin again; if the requirement is not met, appropriately increase the number of applications, continuing with water spraying and fertilizer application, then the flower buds will grow rapidly and can bloom early from late September to November.
Section 4 Fertilization
Golden Camellia loves fertilizer, but is afraid of raw fertilizer and concentrated fertilizer, and should not be applied heavily at one time. It is best to "apply frequently and thinly" for abundant flowers and lush leaves. From March to April, when Golden Camellia grows branches and leaves, apply nitrogen-based fermented cake fertilizer water 3-4 times to promote new bud sprouting and shoot growth; from May to June, during the bud differentiation period of Golden Camellia, apply liquid fertilizer based on phosphorus and potassium 3-4 times consecutively, such as superphosphate, bone meal, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and fully decomposed chicken, duck, pigeon, and fish waste water, to promote flower bud formation and enhance drought resistance; from September to November, apply mixed liquid fertilizer 2-3 times to promote flower bud plumpness and enhance cold resistance. However, in the hot summer (July to August) and the severe cold season (December to February), fertilization is generally not needed.
Disease control of Golden Camellia
Common diseases of mature Golden Camellia include anthracnose, sooty mold, leaf blight, bud blight, etc. Anthracnose is a common disease of Golden Camellia. The main pests include aphids, scale insects, etc.
The lesions start from the leaf tip or leaf margin, are irregular, often with small black dots on the surface, and have a distinct boundary between diseased and healthy parts. Usually, 70% thiophanate-methyl at 800 times dilution is used for foliar spraying at the early stage of disease, once every 5-7 days, for 3 consecutive sprays. The spray volume is 60 kg per mu.
Sooty mold symptoms manifest as sooty-like substances on leaves. The pathogen also harms branches and tender shoots. In severe cases, branches and leaves are covered with a black sooty layer, hindering normal photosynthesis of the plant.
The main pest that induces the disease is aphids. Control can start with aphid control by spraying 50% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution.
Tea aphids, leaf rollers, tea tussock moths, etc. are common pests of Golden Camellia. Tea aphids and leaf rollers can cause Golden Camellia leaves to curl and shrink, unable to extend. Tea tussock moths bite leaves into missing pieces or eat them completely, seriously affecting plant growth. Control should be carried out early, and 800 times dilution of high-efficiency, low-toxicity, low-residue pyrethroid emulsifiable concentrate can be used for spraying.
Golden Camellia anthracnose mainly harms leaves, fruits, tender shoots and tender buds. The control method is to strictly carry out seedling quarantine, and immediately destroy diseased seedlings when found. Before sowing, soak seeds in 0.2% Ceresan or 50% fenaminosulf at 1000 times dilution for 24h. Spray 1% Bordeaux mixture in early spring, and spray 1% Bordeaux mixture plus 1%-2% tea seed cake water monthly from June to August.
Golden Camellia red leaf blight is a common leaf disease in nurseries. A shade shed can be built in the nursery for shading, and leaf spraying can be increased during drought, or at the early stage of disease, spray 70% thiophanate at 1000-1500 times dilution or 20% folpet at 400 times dilution for control.
Tea aphids begin to cause damage in mid-March and are severe in May to June. When aphids occur in large numbers, they gather in groups to harm tender branches, tender leaves, and flower buds, causing leaf wrinkling and inducing sooty mold, affecting plant growth. The control method is at the early stage of aphid occurrence, spray 50% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution on trees where aphids are concentrated.
Cultural background and protection of Golden Camellia
Golden Camellia is an ancient primitive plant with a low fruit-setting rate, difficult to propagate, and a narrow distribution, mostly in southern Guangxi, China. It is a rare and precious plant in the world. Four species in the Golden Camellia section are listed as national first- and second-class key protected plants, and it is a plant species in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Species protection
It is as famous as precious "living plant fossils" such as Cathaya argyrophylla, Alsophila spinulosa, and Davidia involucrata. It is one of China's eight national first-class protected plants (State Council document, July 1984), a plant species in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It is called the magical Oriental magic tea abroad, and is known as the "giant panda of the plant kingdom" and the "queen of the tea family."
In order to allow this national treasure to reproduce and thrive, Chinese scientists are working together on hybridization and selection experiments to cultivate more superior varieties. Kunming, Hangzhou, Shanghai and other places in China have already introduced and cultivated it.
Golden Camellia is the only golden one among more than a hundred species of camellias in the world. It is a subtropical evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Camellia in the family Theaceae. The bark is grayish-green, the leaves are oblong-elliptical with shallow serrations on the edges. It blooms from November to February each year, with a flowering period of up to 4 months.
In 1960, Chinese scientists first discovered a golden-yellow camellia in the Nanning area of Guangxi, and named it Golden Camellia. The discovery of Golden Camellia caused a sensation in the global horticultural and news circles, and received great attention from horticulturists at home and abroad. It is considered the most excellent original material for breeding golden-yellow camellia varieties.
Golden Camellia has a golden yellow flower color, and most species have a waxy luster, crystal-clear and lovely. Flower shapes include cup-shaped, pot-shaped, bowl-shaped and plate-shaped, etc., with diverse forms, beautiful and elegant. Among camellia groups, it is known as the "queen of the tea family." Golden Camellia is as famous as precious "living plant fossils" such as Cathaya argyrophylla, Alsophila spinulosa, and Davidia involucrata. It is one of China's eight national first-class protected plants, a plant species in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It is called the magical Oriental magic tea abroad, and is known as the "giant panda of the plant kingdom."
Legend of Golden Camellia
According to legend, a long, long time ago, on a certain day, the Queen Mother of the West in ancient mythology sent the tea immortal Lu Yu to plant tea at Baishiya in the Shiwan Dashan of Guangxi, but the tea seeds planted again and again disappeared without a trace. For this reason, after many investigations, Lu Yu learned that it was a golden flower snake with a body all gold and green that was causing trouble. It dug out the tea seeds planted by Lu Yu one by one and swallowed them into its belly as food. Seeing this, Lu Yu was very angry and swung the cloud-driving whip bestowed on him by the Queen Mother of the West at the golden flower snake. The unprepared golden flower snake was struck at the vital point seven inches on its body by the divine whip, hurting so much that it rolled in the air, struggled strongly and crawled painfully toward the southwest. As the pain intensified, it fell at the junction of Ningming, Longzhou, and Shangsi in Guangxi, in the dense forest at the southern foot of the Shiwan Dashan, and died. After the golden flower snake died, the tea seeds gestated in the snake's belly for a period and then sprouted, bursting through the rotting snake body. With a wave of the rain-calling whip, a heavy rain washed the tea sprouts from the snake's belly onto the land, where they took root and grew. After several springs and autumns, the unusual tea trees multiplied into patches of green tea forest. Perhaps due to the influence of the golden flower snake's brilliant color genetic genes, the tea planted by the tea immortal Lu Yu himself was irrigated by spring water attached to the mountain valleys. The tea flowers bloomed very strangely, huge and golden eye-catching. The Queen Mother of the West named it - Golden Camellia.
Plant culture: city flower
Fangcheng District is the first discovery site and distribution center of Chinese Golden Camellia, gathering 23 species and 5 varieties of the 32 species and 7 varieties of Golden Camellia existing in nature. China's only national nature reserve named after a protected plant, the Golden Camellia National Nature Reserve, is located in Fangcheng District. The Golden Camellia species gene bank with the most complete species and the largest number in the world is built in this reserve (the reserve was approved for establishment by the State Council in 1994, with a total area of 9195.1 hectares, including a core area of 729.4 hectares and a buffer zone of 4139.5 hectares). In 2002, Golden Camellia was designated as the city flower of Fangchenggang City. In December 2009, Fangcheng District was named "Hometown of Chinese Golden Camellia" by the China Economic Forestry Association. In November 2011, Golden Camellia obtained National Geographical Indication Protection Product status.
Golden Camellia Festival
Since the successful holding of the first Golden Camellia Festival in 2009, the Golden Camellia Festival has become one of the four main cultural festival brands of Fangchenggang City. The Golden Camellia industry has also developed rapidly, with a number of leading enterprises emerging, such as Guirentang Golden Camellia, Zhonggang Gaoke Guobao Golden Camellia, and Baixi Golden Camellia. Golden Camellia series products have won Guangxi Famous Brand Products and Guangxi Famous Trademarks, and products sell well in domestic and international markets, with annual output value exceeding 1.2 billion yuan.
Golden Camellia pictures