How to fertilize a sasanqua camellia bonsai? A detailed guide to the correct method

  There are many varieties of sasanqua camellia, most with white flowers and a few with red flowers. They are mainly produced in China's Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and other provinces along the Yangtze River and in the south, and are a subtropical adaptable tree species. For newly potted sasanqua camellias, there are many things to pay attention to. Fertilizing in particular requires attention, and fertilization must be done correctly. For friends who still have questions about this, this article will give you a detailed answer.

  1. Timing of liquid fertilizer application

  Liquid fertilizer is generally applied in the evening when the temperature drops and the soil is dry. The next morning, carry out "returning water," that is, regardless of whether the soil is dry or not, water thoroughly once to dilute the fertilizer solution in the soil layer and help the roots absorb it.

  2. Concentration of liquid fertilizer

  The concentration of liquid fertilizer depends on the length of the fertilization interval, the variety, the change of seasons and the growth condition of the plant. During the growing season of the sasanqua camellia, apply once every week or about 10 days. If the fertilization interval is long, you can use medium-concentration fertilizer water diluted with 10 times water. If the fertilization interval is short, the concentration should be reduced, using 15 times or 20 times water. For sasanqua camellia varieties that grow vigorously, the fertilizer can be appropriately more concentrated. For young plants, weak plants and rare varieties, apply diluted fertilizer. The first fertilization in spring should be light, then gradually made more concentrated. In the plum rain season the soil is wet, or there may be waterlogging, which is unfavorable for fertilization. For potted plants, chemical fertilizer can be sprayed on the leaves. In the peak growing season, the fertilizer can be appropriately more concentrated, and in late autumn and winter gradually reduced or stopped.

  3. Remedies for over-fertilization or under-fertilization

  ① If the leaf color is dark green, the leaves are large and soft, the color of the leaf flesh becomes lighter, there are few flowers and excessive vegetative growth, these are symptoms of over-fertilization. In mild cases it affects growth, development, shoot formation and flowering; in severe cases it affects normal growth and causes many pests and diseases. At this time, fertilization must be stopped. For ground-planted plants, use irrigation and drainage to dilute the fertilizer concentration. For potted plants, change the soil or soak the pot;

  ② If growth is slow, the leaves are small and thin, the leaf color is yellowish, and the leaf buds are weak, these are symptoms of under-fertilization. The frequency and concentration of fertilization should be appropriately increased, but do not apply too concentrated or too frequently all at once.

  4. Several situations in which camellias should not be fertilized:

  Generally speaking, during the bud coloring and flowering period, fertilization must be avoided, otherwise it will cause flowers and buds to drop.

  Fertilization should not be done during the high summer temperatures or the semi-dormant period in winter, to avoid causing root rot. If the branches and trunk grow excessively, the leaves are dark green, or the leaves droop for a long time, this indicates too much fertilizer or already rotted roots, and fertilization must be stopped immediately.

  Newly transplanted sasanqua camellias, or those with diseases, should not be fertilized. Wait until the new plant recovers its growth functions and the diseased plant is cured, then apply light fertilizer. Sasanqua camellias planted in autumn should not be fertilized that year.

  Generally, newly potted sasanqua camellias should not be fertilized. After the plant resumes normal growth, a small amount of light supplementary fertilizer can be applied, and it must never be too concentrated. For sasanqua camellia, it is best to use mixed organic fertilizer (human manure and urine, barnyard manure), mainly phosphorus fertilizer with nitrogen fertilizer as a supplement. If there is too much nitrogen fertilizer, it will cause excessive branch growth and fewer flowers. You can also scatter rapeseed cake and fish meal directly on the soil surface and let them slowly rot and seep into the soil for the roots to absorb. You may also apply a small amount of chemical fertilizer such as superphosphate, but it must be light and applied sparingly, with different treatment for different plants: apply slightly more to strong plants, less to weak ones, and none to diseased ones.

  Sasanqua camellia fertilization requires light, fully decomposed fertilizer. Generally, apply a dilute nitrogen fertilizer once in February each year to promote the growth of branches and leaves. Apply a dilute cake fertilizer water once between April and May to promote flower bud differentiation. Apply 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate once in September and October, which can make the sasanqua camellia flowers large and vivid.