Detailed Explanation of Camellia nitidissima Planting Methods and Technical Key Points

Camellia nitidissima belongs to the Theaceae family and the Camellia genus, and is a twin sister to tea, camellia, Nanshan tea, oil tea, and sasanqua, and is one of the national first-class protected plants . The flowers of Camellia nitidissima are golden yellow, dazzling and eye-catching, as if coated with a layer of wax, crystal clear and glossy, with a sense of translucency. Camellia nitidissima grows singly in leaf axils, and when in bloom, they are cup-shaped, pot-shaped, or bowl-shaped, delicate and varied, elegant and graceful. Previously, people had never seen a species with golden yellow flowers. Camellia nitidissima was first discovered by Chinese botanist Zuo Jinglie on July 29, 1933, in Axie'ai, Dalu Township, Fangcheng County, Guangxi, and was officially named "Camellia nitidissima C.W.Chi" by Chinese botanist Qi Jingwen in 1948. It is called the magical Oriental magic tea abroad, and is praised as the "panda of the plant kingdom" and the "queen of the tea family".

Propagation Methods

1. Seed propagation: Most fruits mature in October, after which the seeds grow and do not remain dormant. If you want to use seed propagation, it is best to do it in autumn, placing the seeds in a cool and ventilated place; if not sowing in autumn, then they need to be stored in moist sand until sowing next year. Seed propagation is the most common propagation method.

2. Cutting propagation: It is best to choose May, though September is also possible. Select semi-mature branches with intact leaves and no pest damage, take a 14cm length, cut it off as a cutting, then disinfect it, insert it into the soil to a depth of about 3cm, then water it, place it in a cool place, maintain a temperature of about 24 degrees, and frequently spray water on the seedlings. Normally, roots will form after 30 days, after which they can gradually receive sunlight. Cutting is the simplest propagation method.

3. Grafting propagation: The bud seedling rootstock method can be used, with oil tea and camellia as rootstocks. Place the rootstock seeds in sand until the small seedlings reach a height of 4cm, then grafting can be done. First, dig out the bud seedlings, wash off the sand, select healthy branches as scions, and store them in a wet towel. Then wrap with plastic film and plant into the soil. After half a month, remove the film. After it grows new buds and its wind resistance becomes better, tear off all the film.

Planting techniques for Camellia nitidissima:

Habits: It prefers a warm and humid climate, likes well-drained acidic soil, prefers shade during the seedling stage, and after entering the flowering period, quite likes transmitted sunlight. It is not strict about soil requirements and can grow in slightly acidic to neutral soil. It is tolerant of barren soil and also likes fertilizer. It has strong waterlogging tolerance.

Wind direction: Camellia nitidissima is afraid of strong winds, especially north winds and typhoons, so windproof measures must be taken.

Soil: Fertile, deep, moist, breathable, with a pH value that is slightly acidic between 4.5-6.5.

Temperature: To achieve high-yield planting of Camellia nitidissima, it must maintain its ***optimal suitable temperature between 20-30 degrees, and the low temperature cannot be lower than minus 5 degrees.

Light: Camellia nitidissima is a semi-shade and semi-sun tree species. Shade can be provided by planting trees or using a shade shed. The shade shed should preferably be designed with a height of 2.2 m-2.5 m, so that the light transmittance reaches about 30 percent, which is optimal.