Planting of Camellia Trees
Maintenance of Camellia Trees
Harvesting and Processing of Camellia Trees
Camellia trees, also known as oil-tea trees, are a unique economic tree species in China, possessing extremely high economic and ornamental value. In recent years, with people's pursuit of a green and healthy lifestyle, the planting area of camellia trees has expanded year by year. How to cultivate camellia trees? This article will introduce you to the cultivation methods of camellia trees in detail from the aspects of planting and maintenance.
Planting of Camellia Trees
1. Selecting the planting site
Camellia trees have strong adaptability, but the best planting site should be a place with fertile soil, good drainage, and sufficient sunlight. Generally speaking, acidic soil with a pH value between 4.5-6.5 is the most suitable.
2. Planting Time
The planting time for camellia trees is preferably spring and autumn, when the temperature is suitable, which is conducive to the survival of the saplings.
3. Planting Method
(1) Dig a hole: Dig a hole with a suitable depth and diameter according to the size of the sapling.
(2) Apply basal fertilizer: Apply an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer, such as well-rotted chicken manure or cow dung, to the bottom of the hole.
(3) Planting: Place the sapling in the hole, allowing the roots to spread naturally, then fill with soil and gently compact it.
(4) Watering: Water promptly after planting to keep the soil moist.
Maintenance of Camellia Trees
1. Watering
Camellia trees prefer a moist environment but are intolerant of waterlogging. In spring and summer, water in a timely manner according to the weather and soil conditions to keep the soil moist. In autumn and winter, reduce the frequency of watering appropriately.
2. Fertilization
Camellia trees have a high demand for fertilizer. Generally, fertilize 3-4 times a year. In spring, apply mainly nitrogen fertilizer to promote sapling growth; in summer, apply mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to enhance the tree's vigor; in autumn, apply mainly organic fertilizer to improve soil fertility; in winter, apply mainly compound fertilizer to store nutrients for the next year's growth.
3. Pruning and Shaping
During the growth process of camellia trees, timely pruning and shaping are necessary to maintain a beautiful tree shape and increase yield. Generally, prune 2-3 times a year. Spring pruning is mainly thinning, removing diseased, weak, and crossing branches; summer pruning is mainly thinning and shortening to promote branch growth; autumn pruning is mainly thinning and long cuts to adjust the tree's vigor; winter pruning is mainly thinning and shortening to promote flower bud differentiation.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Common pests and diseases of camellia trees include tea blister blight, tea tree stem-boring insects, etc. The control methods are as follows:
(1) Strengthen management, maintain ventilation and light transmission of the tree, and reduce the probability of pest and disease occurrence.
(2) Apply fertilizer reasonably to enhance the tree's disease resistance.
(3) When pests and diseases are found, carry out chemical control in a timely manner.
Harvesting and Processing of Camellia Trees
1. Harvesting Time
The harvesting time for camellia trees is generally from October to February of the following year, when the tea quality is the best.
2. Harvesting Method
Harvesting should be done on sunny days, avoiding rainy days. When harvesting, select mature and plump tea leaves, removing diseased and insect-damaged leaves.
3. Processing
The harvested tea leaves should be processed in a timely manner. Generally, processes such as fixation, rolling, and drying are used.
Cultivating camellia trees requires mastering certain skills and methods. Through the introduction in this article, we believe you have gained a preliminary understanding of camellia tree cultivation. In the actual cultivation process, continuous learning and practice are still needed to improve the yield and quality of camellia trees.