Camellia how to grow it
Camellia is an evergreen plant that is easy to grow and offers beautiful abundant flowering.
Camellia originates from the tropical areas of the Far East in particular from the area between India, China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea.
The camellia plant is part of the 'theaceae' family and belongs to the 'camellia' genus. In nature there are more than 80 different species and it is mostly known as a flowering plant.
It is said that its name was given by Linnaeus in honor of Georg Joseph Kamel , who was the first to import the first specimens of the plant from Japan to Europe.
To obtain beautiful and luxuriant camellias it is important to know their fundamental characteristics, which are listed below:
CAMELLIA - PLANT SHEET
| First name | Camellia |
| Family | Theaceae |
| Species | about 250 species |
| Original | Japan, China, Korea |
| Type of plant | Tree, evergreen flowering shrub |
| Usage | Isolated shrub, groups, informal hedge, tree, pot, espalier |
| Height | Up to 15 meters |
| Growth | Medium - slow |
| Maintenance | Average |
| Sun exposure | Bright half shade, welcome direct light in the morning |
| Ground | Subacid to neutral, peaty, fertile, moist and well drained. It does not tolerate calcareous substrates. |
| Fertilizer | In late spring and autumn, with granular fertilizers for acidophilic plants. From January to March, use liquid acidophilic fertilizer. |
| Irrigation | Frequent but moderate, without stagnation |
| Minimum temperature | From -5 to -12 ° C; protect with sheets |
| Flowering period | From March to June, depending on the variety |
| Water need | Average. Abundant water in spring-summer and to be reduced in autumn and winter. |
| Pruning | Only to reduce bulk, after flowering. |
| Flower color | White, pink in different shades |
| Propagation | Cutting, grafting, seed |
| Parasites and diseases | Oziorrinco, cochineal, root rot, leaf chlorosis |
The main varieties of Camellia
There are more than 250 species of Camellia , coming from eastern and southern Asia, from the eastern Himalayas to Japan and Indonesia. Here are some very popular ones:
Camellia japonica
Much appreciated for its flowers, camellia japonica was the first species to be introduced in Europe. It is a very rustic and evergreen shrub, which blooms in spring from March to June. In ideal conditions it can reach a height of 6 to 11 meters.
Camellia japonica is very resistant to cold and medium-slow growth. Plant with usually numerous flowers, single or double, of various colors and shades, white, pink, red but also purple.
The elliptical or lanceolate leaves are 5 to 10 centimeters long and are dark green in color.
The camellia sasanqua
The originality of camellia sasanqua is represented by the flowering period that begins in autumn from October to March.
Shrub or small tree plant but smaller in size than the camellia japonica, it does not exceed 7 meters in height. It has a more open and light bearing than the previous one. It tolerates frosts better and grows well even in neutral or sub-alkaline soils.
The flowers, single or double, are white or pink and emit a pleasant fruity scent.
Camellia sinensis
Camellia sinensis is an upright shrub native to the continental part of South and Southeast Asia, but today it is cultivated all over the world.
The tea plant, i.e. the species of camellia sinensis whose leaves and buds are used to make tea.
All types of tea originate from the processing of the leaves, buds and other parts of this plant, only the processing methods differentiate the various types.
In its natural state it can grow well over two meters but, to facilitate its cultivation, it generally keeps to the size of an evergreen bush or small tree.
The leaves are 4 to 15 cm long and 2 to 5 cm wide. One fresh leaf contains about 4% caffeine.