Garden camellia is able to revive any corner of the garden, regardless of the time of year. This plant is increasingly gaining popularity in all corners of Russia. In order for it to grow well, flourish and not hurt, it must be properly looked after. Even when planting, there are some nuances, observing which you can avoid many difficulties in further flowering plants on the site.
Camellia garden does not belong to indoor flowers. Although in recent years, breeders have bred 3 more new hybrids. Yet for home conditions this variety of shrubs is not suitable. Camellia garden planting and outdoor care have their own characteristics.
The origin and appearance of the plant
This aristocratic flower came to Russia from Japan and China. In these countries, camellia is used not only to decorate land. The petals of her flowers added to the tea give it an exquisite aroma and taste.
Japanese camellia flowers
Camellia is a perennial shrub, or tree belonging to decorative evergreen plants. It belongs to the Tea House family. In the world there are more than 200 varieties of this shrub.
The 3 main varieties that are grown in the middle and northern strip of Russia include:
- Oilseed;
- Mountainous;
- Japanese.
Oilseed camellia reaches a height of 10 m. Basically, this species is not common in Russia. More often it can be found in forests located near water bodies.
Mountain camellia grows no more than 5 m in height. Most often it is a bush growing on a mountain plateau. Differs in flowers of a simple form.
Oil camellia
Japanese camellia bush reaches a height of about 2 m. It was from this species that many hybrids were bred. One of the popular hybrids is Camellia Williams. It is adapted to low air temperatures. Its distinguishing feature is the discharge of wilted buds from branches. No other species discard color on their own.
Plant flower description
Flowers of different varieties have an excellent diameter. You can grow camellia on your plot with flowers whose diameter is 1 cm, or camellia, whose flower diameter can reach 12 cm. In most cases, the size of the flower depends on the variety.
Even when buying seedlings of varieties that differ in large flowers, you can not see those on the branches of the plant. This can be caused by improper care of the plant, as well as an improper landing site.
Interesting! Camellia shrub is characterized by a variety of colors. In nature, you can find white camellia, red, pink, orange, motley, etc.
Flowers are located on the branches of a plant singly. There is no aroma. Petals are dense, with oval edges, terry, semi-double and simple.
Winter hardiness of camellias garden
Winter-hardy camellia varieties have been bred relatively recently. The plant came to Europe in 1738, in Russia it became possible to grow it closer to the middle of the twentieth century.
Species and varieties
Frost-resistant varieties of camellia include:
- Donation. The flowers of this variety have a rich pink color and reach 10 cm in diameter. At first glance, the plant is quite fragile, but it is not. This variety is not so demanding in care. A gardener who has never dealt with camellias will be able to grow it on his site. A feature of this shrub is a very slow growth.
- Freedom Bell blooms with vibrant red flowers. Thick glossy petals create a wax effect. The variety is not afraid of pruning. Any spoiled branches of the plant, and the bush grows quite densely, can be removed without fear.
Japanese camellia, grade Donation
- Debbie The flowers are purple in color, about 7-8 cm in diameter. The variety is similar to Donation and is suitable for cultivation by gardeners without experience. Suitable for cultivation in the Krasnodar Territory, the Urals and Siberia.
- Hagoromo is a variety whose flower color is changing. He is also called the Empress. The buds of the plant have a light pink hue, the blossoming flowers are pearl white. The shrub grows slowly, grows in height, not width. The diameter of the flowers is about 10 cm.
- General Colletti. The diameter of the terry flowers of this variety fluctuates around 7 cm. The petals are white, with coral stains. This variety is popular in the suburbs.
Camellia tree-shaped garden: planting and care in the open ground
How to plant camellia so that it blooms and does not die? A tree-shaped garden camellia is planted in open ground between late March and mid-May. When planting a seedling, they use one-time top dressing, which is suitable for rhododendrons. In open ground, seedlings are planted, whose age is more than 4 years.
Soil mix for Camellia tree
Camellia tree-like, like other varieties, feels good in diffused light. Direct sunlight, falling on the leaves for a long time, can burn them. Plant a shrub away from through winds.
Ideal soil is moderately moist with high acidity. If the site is dominated by sandy or clay soil, it can be mixed with the substrate into which rhododendrons are planted. The root system does not tolerate stagnation of water. Therefore, when landing, be sure to use drainage.
The soil mixture for tree camellia can be made independently. To do this, in equal proportions mixed sheet soil, coniferous, peat and sand.
Note! In order for the roots of the plant to not dry out, the substrate must be airy, and waterproof. The root neck should be above the ground.
The plant needs feeding only in the spring. During watering, it is recommended to ensure that water does not fall on the flowers. After flowering, the bush can be cut.
Camellia climbing garden: planting and care
Most often, a climbing grade of garden camellia occurs in mid-December. During this period, the plant is at rest. Like other varieties of camellia in the garden, curly prefers diffused light. When planting, it is recommended to mulch the soil. In order for the root system not to rot, drainage is introduced into the planting pit, which is pebble of the middle fraction.
Important! Fertilizers under the bush are applied only after moistening the soil.
It is undesirable to allow the drying of the soil in which the planted plant. Otherwise, the camellia will begin to discard foliage and color. In mid-spring, the leaves can be treated with a soap solution to avoid the spider mite, which very often attacks the plant.
Camellia shtambovaya: landing and care
Street punched camellia involves shelter for the winter period of time, therefore, when planting, you need to plan an empty spot next to the plant, because it will bend to the ground. The optimal landing time is mid-spring. If the flower was purchased in a pot, it can be planted even in summer.
The width and depth of the landing pit depends on the volume of the root system. The roots in it should be located freely, not wring. Drainage to the bottom is mandatory.
Important! For the first time, the seedling is tied to a support so that it is not broken by the wind.
Punched camellia is not too picky. In the spring, prevention against diseases is carried out, closer to winter, when the plant discards the color, it must be cut. There is one more nuance that should be observed when planting the stem camellia, is that the basal neck looks in the opposite direction from the future inclination of the flower.
Transplant after purchase in open ground
The density of its flowering in the future depends on how accurately all the conditions for planting camellia have been met.
What you need for landing
To plant a plant in open ground, you should determine the variety of the plant and purchase a seedling. The optimal acquisition time is from early May to mid-July. Seedlings must be older than 4 years. The roots should look powerful, shoots woody. If the seedling is younger than this age, it can grow in a tub, but in the open. During the period of frost, it is carried onto a covered veranda or balcony.
Optimal place
An ideal place for camellia is a spot with diffused light. Moreover, the scattered sun's rays should be throughout the day. It is advisable to avoid direct sunlight on the leaves of the plant.
Camellia planting
When choosing a place, sections with through winds should be excluded. It is recommended to plant a shrub on a small hill. This will prevent stagnant water in the root system.
Step-by-step landing process
- Dig a landing hole. Its diameter should be 2 times larger than the root system.
- A drainage layer consisting of medium-sized pebbles is laid at the bottom. The layer thickness should be approximately 15 cm.
- A layer of prepared substrate is laid out on the drainage layer.
- If camellia was purchased in pots, then the seedling is taken out so that a lump of earth remains on the root system. This lump is placed in a landing hole on a substrate layer and sprinkled on top of the prepared soil. If the seedlings have bare roots, then they are carefully laid out on the soil layer and sprinkled with soil. It is recommended to be pressed down from above to avoid air accumulation between the roots.
- The plant should be abundantly watered.
Camellia propagation
Camellia flower care and propagation in the garden occur in several ways:
- Cuttings;
- The seeds.
Cuttings
The optimal time for propagation of camellia by cuttings is May-June. Cuttings are cut from the stiffened shoot of the current year. Shank should consist of 5 paired leaves. The lower leaves are removed, the remaining 2 upper ones are cut in half. Green cuttings are planted in pots or containers with a mixture of peat and sand to a depth of 3 cm.
Propagation of camellia by cuttings
The soil mixture is well moistened. Next, the container is transferred to the greenhouse. Every day, cuttings need ventilation and watering. After 3 months, the root system begins to form.
Seed cultivation
Seed germination is used for species camellias. It is recommended to purchase planting material in greenhouses. Seedlings can be written out via the Internet. Before planting, the seeds are stored in the refrigerator. Last year’s planting material needs to be soaked in water for 8-12 hours. Fresh - can be planted in the ground immediately.
Note! Dry seeds must be pricked before soaking.
For seed germination of camellias, peat, sand, moss-sphagnum, vermiculite or a ready-made substrate for azaleas and camellias are used. The soil is well watered, the seeds fall into the ground to a depth of 0.5-1 cm. The container with seedlings is covered with a film and put into place with scattered sunlight. It is recommended to observe the temperature regime, the upper limit of which is 22 ° C.
Outdoor Camellia Care
Camellia in the garden care and cultivation are not a laborious process. The most important thing is to carefully monitor the moisture of the soil and the light entering the plant. Also to care for these flowers include top dressing, protection against diseases and harmful insects, preparation for winter.
Watering mode
The biggest nuance to which you should pay attention is watering with a minimum content of lime. During irrigation, moisture should not fall on flowers or buds.
The land in which camellia grows should not dry out, but the water in it should not stagnate either.
Top dressing
Top dressing is carried out in the spring. There are complex fertilizers created specifically for these shrubs. For top dressing, you can use tools designed to fertilize rhododendrons. Organics are introduced into the root well, thus, during irrigation, the plant will be enriched with the necessary macro-, and microelements.
Fertilizers for camellias
During flowering
During the flowering period, camellia is watered neatly under the root. Fertilizers are not applied, shoots are not cut.
During rest
During dormancy, the plant still needs moisture. During this period, you need to prune the wilted buds yourself, the bush itself can be thinned and cut.
Winter preparations
Preparing camellia for winter is to shelter the plant. Most often, the root hole is insulated with a thick layer of peat. You can cover the bush itself.
Winter camellia shelter with agrofiber
To do this, a frame is made, which is covered with agrofibre. It is recommended to insulate all varieties of camellia, even frost-resistant. Bulbous camellias, in most cases, should be transferred to winter conditions in room conditions.
Camellia is quite easy to care for and maintain. There are still moments, ignorance of which can lead to the absence of flowering of this plant for a long period. If you adhere to all the above recommendations, there will be no problems with the development of camellia in the open ground.
