Detailed Guide to Camellia sasanqua Cultivation Management and Propagation Methods

Camellia sasanqua, also known as small camellia, has a short tree form and is an evergreen shrub.

Because its flower shape combines the characteristics of both camellia and plum blossom, it is called camellia sasanqua. The crown of Camellia sasanqua is nearly spherical, with simple alternate leaves, leathery, smaller than Camellia japonica, ovate-elliptic, dark green and glossy, with blunt serrations on the leaf margins. Flowers are double-layered or semi-double, and in addition to red, white, pink and other colors, there are also many strange color variations and red and white edges. Camellia sasanqua flowers are 3.5-6 cm in diameter, fragrant, with a long flowering period, blooming from late October to April of the following year. Camellia sasanqua not only has magnificent and elegant flower colors, but its branches mostly spread horizontally, with a full posture and beautiful tree shape. The capsule is spherical. There are many varieties of Camellia sasanqua, most with white flowers and a few with red flowers.

Camellia sasanqua is mainly produced in China's Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and other provinces along the river and in the south, and is a suitable tree species for subtropical regions. Camellia sasanqua likes shade and humidity, and semi-shade and semi-sun is most suitable. Strong sunlight will burn its leaves and buds, causing the leaves to curl and fall off. But it also needs appropriate light to bloom abundantly and brightly. Camellia sasanqua likes a warm and humid climate. It is suitable for growing in fertile, loose, well-drained acidic sandy soil. Alkaline soil and clay soil are not suitable for planting Camellia sasanqua.

The key to growing Camellia sasanqua well is: the potting soil must be suitable, fertilization must be light, watering must be done properly, and shading must be appropriate. Watering should keep the potting soil moist without water accumulation. In summer, water once each morning and evening; in winter, water once every few days. Except in winter, water should also be sprayed on the leaf surface once every few days to keep the leaves clean. Watering must be thorough. Fertilization should be light, especially at the seedling stage. Generally, in February-March, human urine can be applied 1-2 times to promote the growth of branches and leaves; in April-May, apply cake fertilizer water once to promote flower bud differentiation; in September-October, apply phosphate fertilizer once more to promote good flowering and also help it survive the winter. Except in winter, when it should be moved indoors for the winter, Camellia sasanqua should be kept under a shade shed for maintenance. In winter, after moving indoors, the room temperature must not exceed 7°C, and 3-6°C is suitable.

Camellia sasanqua can be propagated by cuttings, grafting, layering and sowing, and cuttings are generally used more often. Cuttings are carried out in May. For the cuttings, select strong branches from a mother plant more than 5 years old, with the base bearing a heel, cut off the excess lower leaves, and keep 2-3 leaves. Single-bud short cuttings can also be cut as cuttings, inserted as soon as they are cut. The cutting bed must be shaded, and roots can form after about 20-30 days, gradually letting in light in the morning and evening. The seedlings can be transplanted or potted in the second year.