How to care for four-season camellias
Answering netizens' questions on how to care for four-season camellias and sharing related experiences on simple home cultivation methods for flowering plants. Below, the editor will provide you with detailed answers.
Camellias are world-famous flowers with numerous varieties. Today, I am sharing with you the four-season camellia because its leaves resemble those of azaleas, hence it is also known as the four-season azalea camellia. It is a national treasure-level camellia variety with the significant advantage of an extremely long blooming period. It can bloom all year round in the south, while in colder northern regions, it may enter dormancy during winter.
The flowers of four-season camellias are also distinctive, different from ordinary camellias. They have fewer petals, are narrowly elongated, and the flower color is bright red. The diameter of a normal flower can exceed 8cm, and healthy plants usually produce a large number of flowers, creating a stunning display of red blossoms with high ornamental value.
This is a four-season camellia I have been caring for. It has bloomed in several waves and now the flowers have fallen off, entering a new bud formation stage. What should we do to help it quickly develop flower buds?
It's actually quite simple. First, you need to control watering before blooming. As it is still the growing season for camellias, generally, water should be thoroughly soaked and then dried. However, to speed up the differentiation of flower buds, you should wait until the branches and leaves of the camellia slightly wither before spraying water on the leaves once. Then, after two days, water it thoroughly. Repeat this process for about a month, and you will see flower buds begin to form. Once the flower buds appear, you can water normally.
How to care for four-season camellias
If you want camellias to bloom, fertilizing is essential. You can apply some compound fertilizer on the surface of the potting soil, a little less is fine, like a tablespoon for a pot this size is usually enough. After it has decomposed, you can add more. Additionally, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once a week at a 1:1000 ratio, either by spraying on the leaves or watering the roots. When the flowers are about to bloom, you can stop fertilizing.
In the south, it is still the growing season for camellias, even though it is winter. Camellias can withstand temperatures as low as -5 degrees Celsius. Outdoor maintenance in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas is not a problem. With ample sunlight, you don't need to worry about lighting issues. For indoor maintenance in the north, it must be placed in a well-lit area to promote photosynthesis and aid in flower bud differentiation.
Lastly, I would like to share a small tip for caring for camellias. Camellias prefer acidic soil. When watering, you can add a little sulfuric acid iron or vinegar. It doesn't need to be too frequent, once a month is enough.
This article shares how to care for four-season camellias and provides a comprehensive introduction to simple home cultivation methods for four-season camellias, hoping to bring some knowledge about green plants to greenery enthusiasts.