Requirements of Camellia for Light
As one of the top ten famous flowers in Chinese tradition, camellias are deeply favored by horticulture enthusiasts for their brilliant blooms and evergreen characteristics. To achieve healthy growth and abundant flowering of camellias, it is essential to precisely grasp the key points of light and soil management.
Three Core Dimensions of Light Management
Key Points for Seasonal Light Regulation
Camellias require 5-6 hours of scattered light per day, and can be maintained under full sunlight during spring and autumn, when light intensity between 3000-5000 lux is most conducive to bud differentiation. A 50% shade net should be used when the UV index exceeds 5 in summer to protect against leaf burn and brown spots.
Summer Sun Protection Techniques
A double-layer protection strategy is recommended: receiving direct sunlight before 10 a.m. and using a mobile shade shelter from noon to 3 p.m. Complementing with foliar喷水 cooling can lower leaf temperature by 3-5°C, effectively preventing sunscald disease.
Winter Supplemental Lighting Strategy
When the ambient temperature is below 10°C, using LED plant growth lights to supplement 2-3 hours of red light spectrum (wavelength 660nm) daily can enhance the plant's cold resistance by over 30%, ensuring that the leaves remain glossy and plump during the winter.
Scientific Construction of the Soil System
Golden Formula for Substrate Ratio
The ideal formula is: peat soil 40% + red jade soil 20% + decomposed leaf soil 20% + perlite 15% + bone meal 5%. This combination ensures porosity of 35%-40%, EC value stable at 0.8-1.2 mS/cm, and pH value maintained in the slightly acidic range of 5.5-6.5.
Acidification Maintenance Plan
Apply a 1000x solution of ferrous sulfate (1g per 1L of water) for root irrigation monthly, and use a layer of pine needles to maintain soil acidity effectively. Avoid using well water for irrigation; instead, collect rainwater or use softened water with pH≤7.
Nutrient Supply Cycle
Apply camellia-specific slow-release fertilizer (NPK=12-6-8) every 15 days during the growing season, and add phosphorus and potassium fertilizer (potassium dihydrogen phosphate 800x solution) during the budding stage. Stop fertilizing during the winter dormancy period to avoid root burn.
Through precise light control and scientific soil management, combined with root pruning (retaining 1/3 of the protective soil) every two years when repotting, camellias can achieve an annual growth rate of 30-50cm and increase the number of flowers per plant by over 40%. It is recommended to regularly test the soil EC value and pH, and establish a maintenance log to record plant growth data.