How to Properly Care for Camellias
A detailed introduction to how to properly care for camellias and share tips for raising them, focusing on green plants and flowers. Let's take a look together.
Camellias, also known as wild camellias or wild camellia flowers, belong to the Camellia genus of the Theaceae family, which are shrubs or small trees. There are many varieties of camellias, with about 2,000 species, divided into three major categories and 12 flower types. China has 308 varieties.
To successfully cultivate camellias, one should first understand their growth habits.
Camellias are susceptible to wind and prefer sunny environments. The best planting environment is a high and airy location. They enjoy warm and humid conditions, with soil that is loose, fertile, sandy loam, yellow soil, or decomposed soil, and well-draining acidic soil. The pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5. Only acidic soil allows for vigorous growth. If the soil is alkaline, growth will be poor, or the plant may even die.
Key Points for Raising Camellias
(1) Soil: Loose, fertile, and well-draining. It must be acidic sandy loam or clay loam soil. Potting mix: A, decomposed leaf soil + peat soil + river sand + decomposed organic matter = 3+3+3+1. B, decomposed leaf soil 4 parts + garden soil 2 parts + river sand 2 parts + decomposed organic matter 2 parts. Decomposed organic matter includes pine needles, soybean cakes, chicken manure, animal bone meal, etc.
How to Properly Care for Camellias
(2) Watering: The environmental humidity should be sufficient. Mist water to increase humidity during dry periods. Also, water regularly to keep the soil slightly moist, but never allow waterlogging. Add a small amount of ferrous sulfate solution (water: ferrous sulfate = 500:1) to the water for daily watering. Water every 5-7 days in spring, 2-3 days in summer, 4-7 days in autumn, and 7-10 days in winter to keep the potting mix slightly moist.
(3) Light: Prevent direct sunlight in the summer and ensure adequate shading to avoid scorching. Full sunlight in spring, autumn, and winter.
(4) Temperature: The suitable growth temperature is between 18-25 degrees Celsius. Leaves may scorch if the temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius in summer. The temperature should not be below 5 degrees Celsius in winter. Provide shading or place under a tree or in a shaded area if the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius.