Cultivation methods of Camellia
Sharing the introduction of the woody flower Camellia, its cultivation methods, detailed introduction is as follows.
Camellia has various colors, long blooming period, magnificent and elegant colors, graceful tree shape, branches mostly horizontally extended, full posture, and numerous flowering, making it very suitable for potted appreciation. The key points to grow Camellia well are:
First, the potting soil should be suitable
Potted Camellia should choose a loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic potting soil. In the north, it is advisable to use decomposed leaf soil or peat soil as the main components of the potting soil. The best pot for planting Camellia is the earthenware pot, which is beneficial for ventilation and water absorption. New pots should be soaked in water for one day and night to remove the fire before use; old pots must be cleaned with water and sterilized before use to prevent diseases and pests.
Young Camellia seedlings should use small pots, and as the plant grows, gradually replace them with slightly larger pots. The size of the pot should be proportional to the size of the plant. The potting soil should be selected from loose and fertile mountain soil or sandy loam, sticky soil, and alkaline soil are not suitable, and lime soil is more taboo, which will not survive. The bottom of the pot should be unobstructed, first铺一层 coarse sand or coarse slag particles to facilitate drainage and ventilation.
The best planting time is early spring, February to March. After planting, water thoroughly, place it in a semi-shaded, wind-protected, and warm place to slow down the seedlings for 1-2 weeks, then it can recover growth and normal maintenance can be carried out.
Second, fertilization should be light
Fertilization should be as light as possible and fully decomposed. Fresh or concentrated fertilizers can burn the roots. Especially for one or two-year-old seedlings, their roots are tender and weak and cannot withstand concentrated fertilizers. Generally, apply a light nitrogen fertilizer once in February to March to promote the growth of branches and leaves, apply a light cake fertilizer water once between April and May to facilitate bud differentiation, and apply 0.2% monopotassium phosphate once in September to October to make the flowers large and colorful.
In order to maintain the appropriate acidity of the potting soil, you can water the sulfate fertilizer water or water soaked with green grass during fertilization. For newly planted Camellia seedlings, fertilization should be avoided at the beginning. If fertilized too early, it is easy to cause the death of the seedlings. Due to the change of the growth environment of the Camellia seedlings, plus the root burning and root breaking during the seedling collection, and the injury during the mailing, the seedlings need to adapt to a new environment after planting, which takes a long time. If the tender roots have just started to grow and fertilizers are continuously applied, it will definitely burn the seedlings.
Therefore, root fertilizers should not be applied for the first two to three months after planting. When leaves and roots grow, spray 0.2% monopotassium phosphate solution and a small amount of urea nitrogen fertilizer on the leaves to accelerate the vigorous growth of Camellia seedlings. Spray once every 7-10 days, continuing for 1-2 months, promoting root growth through leaf absorption until new branches and leaves grow and basically age before applying root fertilizers. However, at the beginning, do not apply concentrated fertilizers, but apply light fertilizers frequently, every half a month, to promote root growth and lush leaves, and rapid growth.
Third, watering should be proper
Proper watering is the key to the survival of newly planted Camellia. Especially for mailed seedlings, watering should be careful to balance the water supply and transpiration between the above-ground stems, branches, and leaves and the below-ground roots. Mailed seedlings are severely injured by the root damage during digging and the long mailing period, resulting in poor revival ability and poor root water absorption. If watered too much, the potting soil becomes too wet, causing root hypoxia, impaired respiration, and root asphyxiation. After watering sufficiently for the first time, do not water until the potting soil is not too dry. Spray water on the plant and pot surface 2-3 times a day to keep the potting soil slightly moist, ensuring that the leaves do not lack water and the potting soil is not too wet until the Camellia seedlings start to germinate, unfold leaves, and grow new branches, indicating that they have survived and can be watered normally.
Watering should keep the potting soil moist but not too wet. Water when it is dry, and water thoroughly, avoiding waist-high watering.
Fourth, shading should be appropriate
Camellia prefers shady and humid environments, and a semi-shaded environment is most suitable. Generally, from April to September every year, it should be maintained under a shelter. Severe summer sunlight can burn the leaves and buds, causing leaf curling, scorching, and falling off. Even in autumn and winter, excessive sunlight is not conducive to its growth and development.
Camellia loves sufficient sunlight and should receive full sunlight in spring. As newly planted Camellia cannot withstand the cold wind and sunlight in early spring, it should be placed in an outdoor wind-protected, warm, and semi-shaded area; if it is cold outside, it should be placed in an indoor area with scattered light. As the temperature rises, the pot can be gradually placed outdoors. With the continuous rise in temperature, the pot can be placed on the south-facing window sill of the north-facing room or on the north-facing balcony, only receiving morning and evening sunlight, avoiding direct sunlight around noon.
In summer, it should be placed under a canopy or in the courtyard. If there are no such facilities, a sparse reed shed can be used to shade it to prevent the strong sunlight around noon from burning the leaves and causing diseases.
Fifth, prevent and control diseases and pests
Camellia has few diseases and pests. The main diseases are gray spot disease, soot disease, and (T-J) disease, which should be prevented and treated early. Once the disease occurs, you can spray with a Bordeaux mixture of equal parts at a concentration of 300 times. If there are scale insects or red spiders, they can be removed manually. If red spiders occur, you can spray with soaked tobacco leaf water mixed with chili water, which is also very effective. Generally, do not use pesticides to prevent environmental pollution.
This article shares a detailed explanation of the cultivation methods of Camellia, hoping this article can bring you help in green plant management!