Camellia Flower Language, Care Methods, and Precautions
Since ancient times, many famous people have written poems about camellias, and in modern times there have been many popular songs, films and TV dramas, so why does the camellia have such charm? How should it be cared for?
The camellia originates from China. It is a kind of tea tree: the beautiful flowers are cultivated as camellias, and the tender leaves are made into tea, so its uses are very wide-ranging. In addition, its flower language is "lovable, sincere, ideal", with a realm of mutual love that makes people yearn for it. Giving its flowers to a lover who has been in love for a long time implies that the love for them is sincere and earnest.
How should it be cared for? First, at the flower market, choose one with slightly larger flower buds; do not just look at how many buds there are, because the bud development period of camellias is very long, and buds that are too small may easily fail to bloom. Second, try to choose one with fresher leaves. Finally, break open the roots to take a look: if they are white, that is good; if they are black, then it is no good. After choosing it, take the camellia home, unpack it, and let the plant sit still for 2~3 hours so it can adapt to the home environment. Then, at the beginning, when watering, it is not recommended to flush with a lot of water or soak the pot. It is recommended to first feel the soil with your hand: if it is dry, replenish water immediately; if it is wet, there is no need to water. For subsequent watering, generally in spring and summer when temperatures are high, water once every 2~3 days; in winter, as long as the soil is not dry, it can go a month without watering.
As for climate, camellias like partial shade, and they absolutely must not be placed in strong light for sun exposure. Once exposed to strong sun, large areas of scorching can easily form, so the vast majority of camellias are planted in shaded areas or against walls. In summer, you can give it appropriate shade. It is recommended to let it get half a day of sun each day, then put it back in a shaded place. In addition, it cannot be kept indoors for a long time.
What kind of soil is used to grow camellias? Actually, camellias have no requirements for soil texture, but they do have requirements for the soil's pH. Precisely because of this, the tap water used at home is alkaline water, especially in the north. After watering for a period of time, you will find that a layer of white frost forms on the soil surface. At this time, it is recommended to use an acid-adjusting method (ferrous sulfate can be mixed with water at 1:1000) and use it for irrigation about once a month.