How to Care for Camellias
Today, let's delve into the experience of caring for camellias and the precautions for maintaining green plants, followed by an introduction to the topic for everyone.
Camellias, also known as wild camellias or wild camellia flowers, belong to the Camellia genus of the tea family, which includes shrubs or small trees. There are numerous camellia varieties, about 2,000 in total, divided into three main categories and 12 flower types. China already has 308 varieties.
To successfully cultivate camellias, one should first understand their growth habits.
Camellias fear wind and enjoy sunlight, and the best planting environment is a high and airy location. They prefer warm and humid conditions, with soil that is loose, fertile, sandy loam, loess, 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 Camellia Cultivation
(1) Soil: Loose and fertile, with good drainage. It must be acidic sandy loam or clay loam. Potting soil mix: A, decomposed leaf soil + peat soil + river sand + mature organic matter = 3 + 3 + 3 + 1. B, decomposed leaf soil 4 parts + garden soil 2 parts + river sand 2 parts + mature organic matter 2 parts. Mature organic matter includes pine needles, soybean cakes, chicken manure, animal bone meal, etc.
How to Care for Camellias
(2) Water: The ambient humidity needs to be sufficient. Spray water to increase humidity in dry conditions. Regular watering is also required to keep the soil slightly moist, but never let it accumulate water. Add a small amount of ferrous sulfate solution to the water (water: ferrous sulfate = 500:1). Water once every 5-7 days in spring, 2-3 days in summer, 4-7 days in autumn, and 7-10 days in winter to ensure the potting soil remains slightly moist.
(3) Light: Prevent direct sunlight in the summer, and provide shading to avoid scorching. Full sunlight in spring, autumn, and winter.
(4) Temperature: The suitable growth temperature is between 18-25 degrees Celsius. Leaf scorching can occur if temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius in the summer. The temperature should not drop below 5 degrees Celsius in winter. Provide shading or place the plant under trees or in a shaded area if temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius.