How to Care for Camellias
Do you know these? Tips on how to care for camellias and detailed cultivation techniques for growing camellias, coming up next, the site editor will introduce to netizens.
Camellias, also known as "wild camellias," are native to Eastern China. There are many varieties of camellias, ranking eighth among China's "Top Ten Famous Flowers." Camellias come in a variety of colors, including red, purple, white, yellow, and more. When growing camellias at home, it is necessary to prepare a potting mix of decomposed leaf soil, coarse sand, and organic mixed fertilizer. Camellias love light and need to be moved to a place with plenty of sunlight for cultivation. Next, let's talk about the specifics of how to grow camellias at home.
1. Preparing the Soil
Camellias have strict requirements for soil and need a fertile, loose, and well-draining humus soil. A mix of decomposed leaf soil and coarse sand can be used as the potting soil for camellias. The soil should have enough gaps to facilitate the root respiration of the plant.
2. Suitable Temperature
The optimal temperature for camellia growth is between 18°C and 25°C, and the best temperature for flowering is between 10°C and 20°C. Temperatures above 35°C can cause leaf burn. In winter, the plant should be moved indoors, with the growth temperature controlled above 5°C.
3. Sufficient Sunlight
Camellias are semi-shade flowers and need to avoid direct sunlight in summer. In winter, they should be moved to a well-lit indoor area, as sufficient sunlight is beneficial for camellia growth. When camellias enter the bud differentiation stage, they need to be exposed to 12 hours of sunlight daily to form flower buds. Without adequate sunlight during growth, the plant may grow poorly.
4. Watering and Fertilizing
When growing camellias at home, it is important to control the watering amount, usually once a week is sufficient. Camellias like fertilizer and need ample nutrients to bloom. During the growing season, a compound fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be applied every 10-15 days. During the flowering period, fertilizing should be controlled, as it may not be beneficial for camellia growth.
5. Proper Pruning
Generally, the flowering period of camellias is from January to April. After flowering, it is necessary to prune appropriately, promptly removing withered and old branches. Pruning long branches can promote the growth of more flower buds, making the camellia flowers more beautiful and vibrant.
6. Preventing Diseases and Pests
The main diseases of camellias include ring spot, anthracnose, and leaf spot, which can be prevented with fungicides like Thiram 800 times or carbendazim 500 times. The main pests are red spiders, aphids, and scale insects, which can be controlled by mixing 15mL of cypermethrin with 20mL of dimethoate.
The above is a detailed guide on how to care for camellias and cultivation techniques, for your reference and operation.