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If youre dipping your toes into gardening, camellias might just be your new green buddies.
They are forgiving plants that can grow in hardy conditions.
And they look great, too!
With our guide, you will be able to grow camellia flowers with ease.
Read below to learn how to plant, prune, propagate, and care for these elegant flowers.
One way to distinguish them is by their petal arrangements.
Theaceae has over 200 species.
The flowers can grow up tofive inchesin diameter.
Their colors come in shades of white, pink, and red.
They also produce variegated flowers in a combination of white and red colors.
Its flowers are up tothree incheswide and have single or semi-double petal formation.
It has several cultivars available, including dwarf varieties that can be grown in small,ornamental flower pots.
Sasanqua Camellias leaves are shorter compared toC.
japonica,and this variety is also more resistant to root rot.
While other varieties grow as shrubs,C.
reticulatacan grow into a small tree thats around50 inchestall.
Its hybrid variety of flowers can even grow as wide as 10 inches.
Tea Plant(Camellia sinensis)
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The Tea Camellia is a commercial variety.
Its young leaves are harvested and processed to produce a wide range of teas.
Typically, this variety is not grown for its flowers.C.
Hiemalis Camellia(Camellia hiemalis)
Image credit:leugardens
C. hiemalisis a fast-growing evergreen shrub.
It produces rich-pink flowers that grow 34 inches wide.
With its compact growth habit and profuse flowering, its well-suited for small gardens and containers.
When Do Camellias Bloom?
The evergreen camellias have been cultivated to produce flowers in different seasons so gardens can enjoy the blooms longer.
The camellia flower blooms in spring, late fall, and early winter, depending on the cultivar.
Each flower can bloom for up to 46 weeks.
Heres a comprehensive guide to help you nurture your camellias and keep them healthy and vibrant.
Where Do Camellias Grow Best?
Camellias grow best inUSDA hardiness zones69.
double-check to choose a variety suited to your specific hardiness zone.
Plant them in anorth-facing locationthat receives morning sunlight.
A south-facing location is warmer and may damage your plant.
Light
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Camellias flourish in partial shade to filtered sunlight.
Giving them a little morning sunlight is the best.
Too much direct sunlight can lead to stress.
you might test your soils acidity at home using pH strips.
If the acidity is low, add peat moss and compost to maintain the pH.
Water
Established camellias are hardy and need water only once or twice a week.
However, new plants need more moisture.
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing season.
Regular watering is crucial, but avoid waterlogging.
Pro tip:Mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate temperature.
However, they will shed their flowers if the temperature goes above 60F.
Maintain humidity at around 60% to keep them thriving.
Space your camellias 36 feet apart so they get adequate air circulation to keep cool.
This also prevents the spread of fungal diseases.
Pro tip:Consider getting acool-mist humidifierto pamper your indoor camellias.
Choose a slow-release diluted mix in the ratio of 12-4-8 NPK (more nitrogen, less phosphorus).
Fertilize them twicefirst in early spring, then again in late summer.
Use pine straws, bark chips, and dry leaves to insulate the soil and the roots.
Shielding them from cold drafts is equally important, as winds can lead to moisture loss from the leaves.
Make a fence around your camellias using burlap or canvas.
If you are growing camellias in pots, move them indoors in the winter.
Pro tip:Avoid pruning and fertilizing in the fall.
Pruning and fertilizing stimulate new growth and young buds, which are more susceptible to damage by cold.
The timing depends on the variety and its blooming cycle.
Fall to early winter bloomers should be trimmed in spring to early summer, right after they finish flowering.
This allows ample time for the camellia plant to develop new flower buds for the following season.
In both cases, avoid pruning close to their flowering time.
Camellias grow slowly, and excessive pruning may slow down their growth even more.
The ideal time to propagate with this method is mid to late summer.
Choose a young, non-flowering stem with plenty of leaves.
Remove the bottom set of leaves.
Step 2:Use a sharp knife tostrip off a small section of barkfrom the base.
They will root better if slightly wounded.
To propagate camellias from seeds, soak the seeds in warm water for 12 hours to soften their shell.
Use rich potting soil mixed with peat moss and sand.
Sprinkle 23 seeds in each section of the seed starter tray, and water thoroughly.
Ensure the soil stays damp, as this will encourage germination.
check that the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Fill the pot with organic soil and carefully transplant young seedlings to their new home without damaging their roots.
Potted camellias need more water, so check that to water them 23 times a week.
Their potting soil needs to be refreshed every 23 years.
Keep these pests at bay by sprayingneem oil.
The fungal infection often enters via wounds resulting from pruning or insect damage.
It can be treated with fungicides and maintaining proper hygiene.
It produces black tendrils of spores on the leaves, which causes them to fall prematurely.
Remove damaged leaves and apply fungicide to control this disease.
Root Rot
Image credit:hqnnah
Root rot is another common fungal disease that affects camellias.
It causes poor growth and wilting of the entire plant.
The Sasanqua Camellia variety is considered resistant to root rot.
FAQs
What Do Camellias Symbolize?
Camellias meaning: Camellias symbolize beauty, affection, and admiration.
The red camellia, in particular, is often linked to love.
Their flawless form, symmetry, and vibrant colors are admired in many cultures.
What is the Lifespan of a Camellia?
Camellia bush can survive for decades in moderate temperatures.
Fun fact: Its widely believed that the oldest living camellia was planted in 1347 in Chinas Panlong Monastery.
Do Camellias Have Fruit?
Camellias produce a tough fruit with a dry capsule containing seeds.
The fruit appears after the flowers have been pollinated and is a part of their reproductive cycle.
The seeds can be harvested to propagate new plants.
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