Camellia japonica flower care. Camellia. Trimming and pinching technology

Among the representatives of the family Theaceae, the Japanese camellia or Camellia japonica ranks special place due to the amazing decorative effect, the variety of existing varieties and the possibility of growing under open air, and at home.

The plant's homeland is the mountain forests of China, as well as the island of Taiwan, the southern regions of Japan and the Korean Peninsula. In nature, Japanese camellia looks like a medium-sized tree or shrub about 6 meters high.

In the plant:

sparse, but quite voluminous crown;
pointed elliptical leaves up to 11 cm long and about 6 cm wide, with a leathery glossy surface on which diverging veins are clearly visible;
large single or paired flowers appearing from the leaf axils.

Today, natural varieties of Japanese camellia, as in the photo, have given thousands of flower growers original varieties, differing in flower color, size and shape.

Not uncommon:

spotted and striped corollas;
semi-double forms with a fluffy yellow center;
double flowers of Japanese camellia, indistinguishable from an elegant garden rose.

The flower remains colorful and juicy for almost a month, and then, after pollination, a fruit appears in its place, inside which several large seeds ripen.

Conditions for keeping indoor camellia japonica flower

If the camellia feels comfortable in the garden and is not too demanding to care for, then in room conditions A large flowering plant is a test of the knowledge and patience of the gardener.

In case of lack of attention or illiteracy managed care Japanese camellia at home can shed already formed buds. And sometimes the plant even gets rid of its leaves.

The culture is best acclimatized in winter garden or a greenhouse, where she is given a place where throughout the year the duration daylight hours will be at least 12–14 hours. If a camellia does not have enough light, it refuses to bloom or does it very sparingly.

While buds are forming on the bush, do not touch, move or turn the pot. The capricious beauty may part with the buds, but when the Japanese camellia flowers open, you can safely:

rearrange to best place in the room;
bring to open air, where the crown will not be threatened by straight sun rays;
put it on a bright loggia.

In spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing, camellias are comfortable at normal home temperatures, but in the fall the conditions should change. The formation of buds takes place at 5–6 °C, and to achieve a long and lush flowering Oriental beauty is possible at 8–12 °C.

Important for camellia high humidity air, it can be supported using improvised means, household appliances and regular washing of the crown with warm boiled water.

Watering, fertilizing and other care for Japanese camellia

Care for camellia japonica consists of:

from careful watering, the intensity and frequency of which depends on the season and condition of the plant;
from in the spring-summer period;
from pruning carried out in the second half of autumn and allowing the crop to maintain a compact crown at home;
from transplanting an overgrown bush.

While the green pet is blooming, it needs increased attention. Water the plant very carefully, since in cold weather water from the surface of the soil evaporates slowly, and determining the soil moisture at the roots is not always easy.

If root system will remain in soil saturated with moisture for a long time, the appearance of rot and other infections will not be avoided.

Add a little to settled irrigation water lemon juice or vinegar, which improves the health of the Japanese camellia and, as in the photo, gives brightness to the flowers.

At the stage of bud formation, the shrub should receive regular support in the form. Feeding is carried out after 10–14 days, and in summer time You can fertilize the plant only once a month.

Transplanting camellia japonica

Young specimens of Japanese camellia are transferred to new pot annually, but the older the plant, the less often this procedure, unpleasant for the shrub, is required.

Transshipment of camellias must be carried out before growth is activated, otherwise the crop will take a long and painful time to acclimatize. If there is no urgent need for replanting, you can simplify the care of Japanese camellia by replacing only top layer soil in a pot.

For indoor flower Camellia japonica needs an acidic substrate with a pH of about 3.0–5.0 units. If the soil is less or more acidic, this will affect the condition and flowering of the shrub.

Easiest to plant capricious plant purchase ready soil for azaleas, and subsequently occasionally increase the acidity by adding citric or acetic acid to the irrigation water.

How to grow camellia - video

Evergreen camellias have a huge number of fans around the world. Camellia bushes with glossy dark green leaves are strewn with a variety of flowers. U garden varieties The flowers are quite large, up to 12 cm in diameter; indoor flowers, such as Japanese camellia, delight with a variety of colors.

Camellia flower may be various sizes, colors and shapes. There are rose-shaped, peony-shaped, anemone-shaped, symmetrical, terry, simple.

In the East, where the Japanese camellia comes from, the art of growing these plants dates back more than a thousand years. Nowadays it is much easier to grow such a beauty at home. In tropical and subtropical climate, for example, on the Black Sea coast, it can be safely grown in open ground. In colder latitudes, camellia is planted in tubs and containers.

Japanese camellia– a guest from Southeast China, not Japan, and the most common of indoor species. Thousands of varieties bred by breeders originate from it.

How to choose camellia?

You should buy flowers in special stores or nurseries. Choose healthy plant, symmetrical, with elastic leaves. It is necessary to inspect the leaves for spots or cobwebs. The bush should have many buds and few flowers. A variety such as Japanese camellia is perfect for both beginners and experienced florist, will become a real decoration of the house.

Seedlings are also available for sale. Flowers are removed from flowering seedlings. Thus, nutrients after planting, they promote the development of the root system.

You can also go the hard way and start from seeds yourself. This is a long but exciting way to obtain plants.

Transfer

To stimulate growth, the tops are pinched 2-3 months before transplantation, at the end of October.

The best time to transplant camellias is late autumn - early winter. The plant is placed in a shallow tub or pot; an extra layer of soil of just a couple of centimeters can lead to rotting of the roots.

It is also possible to replant in the spring, but spring replanting can stop future bud formation and negatively affect the possibility of flowering in winter.

Soil mixture

A quality substrate is the basis good growth and comfort for camellias. The soil should be acidic, loose, allow air to pass through and retain moisture well. If you choose the wrong soil, there is a high risk of flower death.

For cooking soil mixture needs to be mixed sod land, peat, coniferous land And river sand in a ratio of 1:1:1:0.5. You can buy a special soil mixture “Azalea”, “For camellias”, etc., the main thing is to maintain the pH within 4-5. Some gardeners call ready-made soil mixtures experiment, and it is unknown whether it will be successful. While for beginners, land from a package can become a great assistant. However, you should trust only well-known and trusted companies - manufacturers that produce truly high-quality mixtures.

Special conditions of detention

Camellia japonica, like its other species, is not indoor plants V in every sense. But even in a city apartment you can create comfortable conditions for an eastern plant.

Lighting and location

It is customary to care for camellias in an apartment in the same way as in open ground. The plant is provided with long daylight hours, in the summer months - up to 13 hours of diffused light. The flower feels great on western or eastern balconies without contact with direct sunlight.

Temperature

For the comfortable development of Japanese camellia, a special microclimate is required. Required in summer warm temperature within 22-24 degrees and high humidity. At the end of autumn, the temperature is reduced to 10 degrees to ensure the formation of flower buds. From January, when flowering begins, optimal temperature content 15–17 degrees.

Humidity

High humidity is ensured by regular spraying. In summer, especially on hot and dry days, place the camellia pot in a container of water or use a special humidifier. When flowering, spraying is carried out carefully, trying not to touch the flowers.

Watering

Watering should be done with soft, settled water regularly and abundantly. When buds begin to form, watering should be reduced.

Fertilizers

Liquid fertilizing is necessary in the spring, every two weeks. Complex mineral fertilizers with trace elements dissolved in water and used for irrigation. The concentration of most fertilizers should be lower than stated on the label. You can use ready-made bagged fertilizers for flowering plants or roses

Camellia propagation

A florist’s special pride is his ability to plant and propagate plants. There are several propagation methods for camellias.

Propagation by cuttings is perhaps the most understandable method for amateur gardeners. The cutting (twig) is cut off from the mother bush and placed in nutritious soil and a moist environment. To propagate, the cuttings must have at least 3, maximum 5 well-developed leaves and apical buds.

To germinate cuttings, more than high temperature than for an adult bush - up to 25 degrees. Despite the apparent simplicity of this method, it is not very effective. Therefore, it is wise to plant several cuttings at once.

The first roots will appear in 3 months, and the plant will bloom no earlier than after 2 years.

Pests and diseases

Camellia japonica. Yellowing of leaves - chlorosis occurs from a lack of iron and is treated with special drugs twice a year.

Aphids feed on plant juices and contribute to the development of fungus. To eliminate pests, use appropriate means, such as insecticides.

Common problems

Root rot occurs when the soil becomes waterlogged and acidified. Just like fungal diseases, root rot is treated fungicidal preparations. When severely damaged, it causes flowers and buds to fall off and can lead to the death of the entire plant.
If the flower turns yellow and the leaves fall off, it is possible increased acidity soil, or the plant has received sunburn with prolonged contact with direct sunlight.
When changing place while buds are setting, camellia may drop its flowers.

In nature, Japanese camellia reaches 12 meters in height and blooms profusely from December to April. Growing a small bush at home will be a great hobby. As soon as the first camellia flower blooms, all your efforts in growing this plant will be more than rewarded.

How to care for a camellia flower at home: methods of propagation How to care for Ficus Benjamin Natasha at home

Camellia japonica is evergreen shrub or small tree Tea family. It is distributed in the subtropical and tropical zones of the Eastern and Southeast Asia, in the Philippine Islands, Japan, Korea and the Indochina peninsulas.

Description

The leaves are ordinary, glossy, oval, leathery, blunt or sharp, growing in 1, sometimes 2-3 pieces. The flowers are quite decorative, individual, large, axillary with a corolla, consist of 5 petals, as well as a mass of stamens folded into a bunch. The palette of tones is limitless - from white to red, scarlet, pink with various transition colors. Flowers are often found in two colors, with all kinds of stripes, specks, streaks and spots.

Varieties of Camellia japonica

Many varieties of the flower have gained mass popularity as significant ornamental, flowering and evergreen crops. They are freely used for landscaping interiors, creating displays in parks during the summer season, and even as tea. This is what Japanese camellia looks like, the photo of which is presented below.

Camellia montana

Its bush grows up to 3-4 m in height, with thin branches and bright red pubescent flowers. The leaves are elliptical or elongated oval in shape, 3-6 cm long, 1.5-3 cm wide. Their tops are slightly sharp, the edges are finely toothed, the outside is dark green and glossy, with inside- hairy-pubescent with a vein.

The flowers are single or connected in 2-3 pieces, 6-7 cm in diameter, ordinary white, red or pink, with a scent. They bloom well in November-January. As blooming evergreen crops, gardeners usually propagate garden varieties. Camellia japonica (mountain) is also suitable for cold rooms.

Camellia sinensis

The homeland of this plant is the subtropical and tropical mountain forests of Indochina. Is small tree or a shrub up to 10 m high with spaced shoots. The leaves are ordinary, oblong-oval, narrowed upward, short-petioled. They are dark green on the outside, light green underneath, 5-7 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. Young leaves are slightly pubescent. The pulp of the leaves contains spreading, bearing sclereids.

The flowers are solitary, fragrant, or found in groups of 2-4 in the recesses of the leaves. Flower leaves and bracts are arranged along a curve. The calyx is fused-leaved, has 5-7 rounded sepals, which are preserved during the fruit. The corolla of the plant is 2.5-3 cm in diameter and falls off after flowering. Contains from 5 to 9 white petals with golden-pink color, connected to each other and to the calyx in the center. The stamens are located in two rings: the outer ones are fused with stamen filaments and attached to the petals, the lower ones are independent with small ovoid anthers. The gynoecium is syncarpous with columns connected to the core.

Camellia japonica (Chinese) has fruits in the form of flattened tricuspid woody boxes. Their seeds are rounded, dark chestnut in color, 10-13 mm in length, 1 mm in thickness. Blooms from early August until the end of autumn. Harvests in October-December.

Camellia oleifera

This variety of crop is found in forests and on the banks of rivers in China at elevations from 500 to 1300 m above the sea surface. The oil plant is evergreen tree up to 10 m in height. The trunk is covered with a brown crust, its diameter is up to 20 cm. The leaves are leathery, ordinary, petiolate, alternate, ovoid, pointed at the apex. The flowers are white, bisexual, paired, axillary or single, appearing in September. Their blooming time lasts until mid-October. Camellia japonica (oleifera) is distinguished by its fruit in the form of a large capsule with many spherical seeds up to 3 cm long.

How to care for crops at home

Most gardeners consider the plant to be very demanding in terms of care and breeding conditions. This position was formed due to its periodic shedding of buds or leaves. To protect yourself from unpleasant shedding, you need to keep the flower in an environment suitable for it.

The culture will grow 100% at home if it is placed in a cool room. Camellias do not like it when they are turned around relative to the light source or moved to another place. The flower prefers spaces with fresh air, with the exception of drafts. In this case, he will develop various diseases.

Soil requirements

Camellia japonica, about which you can only hear good reviews, loves acidic soils. And that’s why for its flowering and development, special earthen mixtures made from well-sifted sand and peat are needed. Mixtures for rhododendrons are great because they can absolutely satisfy all the needs of the plant.

Separately prepared soil mixtures have a slightly acidic reaction. This means that they do not contain lime. In addition, when watering flowers, there should be no calcium salts in the water. Therefore, before irrigation, it is necessary to infuse water for half a day if it is not possible to use filtered water.

Suitable lighting

Camellia japonica (the photo of which is presented below) is considered a mountain crop, and therefore requires light in order to bloom. large quantities. However, direct sunlight is harmful to it. For the summer season, the flower can be taken out fresh air, remembering sun protection.

In addition, to accumulate strength for the next full flowering, Japanese plants a period of rest is necessary. To ensure this, after flowering, reduce watering and stop feeding camellias. Only with such conscientious care will the crop again delight the household with its gorgeous blooms.

Watering

In the summer season, the flower is watered sufficiently and evenly after the outer layer of the substrate has dried, so that the Japanese camellia does not flood. Home care to avoid soil acidification involves reducing watering. Due to the deterioration of the soil, the leaves of the plant turn brown and the buds fall off. Due to prolonged drying out, the crop sheds its leaves. The flower does not withstand increased calcium content in running water, so it is necessary to water with soft, settled water. At the stage of development of flower ovaries (in August), it is necessary to dry the substrate a little, but not until it is completely dry.

Temperature

Camellia in spring and summer prefers an air temperature of at least 20-25 degrees. To set buds, you need a temperature of 18-20 degrees, and during the blooming period in December-February - 9-12 degrees. At increased temperatures, flowering begins earlier, but the quality of the flowers will be much worse, and there is a risk that the Japanese camellia will shed its buds. Caring for the plant in such a situation will no longer be appropriate.

Transplantation and propagation

The crop should be picked during dormancy (it remains there at the end of flowering), but no later than the end of July. Best time- this is when some buds are preserved on the plant, but the ovaries of the leaves have not yet opened.

Flowers are propagated by crown cuttings 6-8 cm long, which have not yet had time to become lignified. This is done in January and also in July. The most suitable for these requirements is indoor greenhouse. When a root system is formed on the cuttings (this will occur after 2 months as a result of their planting), they can be planted in a permanent place. It is also necessary to take into account that the neck of the camellia, placed between the trunk and roots, should not be covered with soil, otherwise the plant may disappear.

Pests and diseases of camellias

Compared to other crops, such flowers practically do not get sick. Aphids may appear on a houseplant, which is usually sprayed with the mixture. oil emulsions with soap. This solution is much safer for people than chemicals. In addition to aphids, such emulsions neutralize scale insects and spider mites. But the most serious ailment of camellia is root rotting due to waterlogging, unsuitable soil and elevated temperatures. With such a disease, the leaves of the flower begin to fall off. The only way to save the crop is by reducing watering.

Of course, many already know how beautiful and luxurious the Japanese camellia looks. Planting and caring for it will not be burdensome for anyone.

The Camellia genus includes 80 species of plants belonging to the tea family. Their main habitat is the tropics and subtropics of East and Southeast Asia. The flower is named after its discoverer, Camelius, who brought it to Europe.

Plants of the Camellia genus are trees or bushes with leathery, rounded foliage, arranged singly or in pairs. The flowers, strewn with many stamens, are red, white, scarlet in color, and there are also variegated species.

Some members of the genus are grown for decorative purposes due to their attractive foliage and flowers.

If you follow all the rules for caring for camellia, it can even bear fruit, but due to errors in care, the plant often does not grow as it could.

Varieties and types

Camellia montana or sansaqua (Miyagi , tegmentosis ) came to us from Japan. It is a shrub with thin branches covered with red down, reaching five meters. The foliage is oval-shaped, serrated. The inflorescences are simple, growing up to 7 cm in diameter. Blooms in winter time.

Camellia sinensis or sinensis (Boheya , tea room ) or tea bush . It is a forest species reaching 15 meters in height. The foliage is long, oval, glossy, dark green. The inflorescences are axillary, white in color.

In the wild, this plant also reaches an impressive size of 15 m. The foliage is jagged, oblong, leathery, dark green, but varieties with variegated colors have been bred. The flowers are not particularly large, simple, double or semi-double. Blooms in winter and early spring.

As for varieties, the popular ones are:

Camellia japonica variety Easter Morn ,

Camellia Callifornia ,

Camellia variety Dream Girl .

Camellia care at home

When caring for camellia at home, you must adhere to the rules of caring for it.

Camellia loves bright, diffused light, so it is best to place it on western or eastern windows. On the south side the flower will suffer from excess light and will need protection from direct rays, and on the north side the camellia will simply lack light.

To improve growth, the container with the plant should be rotated from time to time, but do not do this when buds appear on the stem - this will cause them to fall off.

In the summer, it is a good idea to move indoor camellia to the garden or balcony, but place it so that the sun does not shine directly on it.

In the spring-summer period, the air temperature for good development the flower should be about 20-25 degrees. In order for buds to begin to appear, it will need to be reduced to 18 degrees, and during the flowering period in winter, the thermometer should not exceed +12. If it is too warm, the flower will most likely lose its buds.

Also, the flower does not like stagnant air, so it is necessary that the room with it be ventilated.

Watering camellia

These flowers do not like excess moisture - they need a lot of water, but watering should be uniform and carried out when the top of the soil dries out. You need to water with settled water, preferably rainwater, so that it is soft.

In winter, watering must be limited, otherwise the soil may become acidic. This can be recognized if the leaves turn brown and the buds fall off. If the leaves begin to fall, then the watering was probably insufficient.

Indoor camellia loves high air humidity, so it is recommended to place containers with the plant in a tray with damp tracing paper, and also spray the foliage. When spraying during flowering, do not allow water to get on the inflorescences.

Fertilizing and pruning camellia

House camellias need to be fertilized every 20 days. all year round. Mineral fertilizers are used for this.

To improve bud growth, the plant needs to be pruned. This operation is carried out at the end of leaf fall.

Camellia transplant

Young flowers are replanted annually. For older plants, this procedure is performed once every couple of years.

The operation should be done in the spring, along with pinching the shoots, so that the branches grow better. The soil chosen is acidic - about 5 pH, but it can grow in soil with an acidity below 4.

You can buy the soil, or you can make it yourself by mixing peat, leaf and turf soil with sand in a ratio of 2:2:1:1. Don't forget to make a good drainage layer in the pot.

Camellia from seeds

Seeds are sown in small 5 cm pots, one per container. With the formation of a pair of true leaves, the seedlings dive into large pots. When they grow up, they are transplanted again into larger containers.

Remember that when propagated by seed, they are usually lost varietal characteristics plants, and to preserve them you need to resort to cuttings.

Camellia propagation by cuttings

For propagation by cuttings, use 7 cm of material that has not yet lignified. The procedure is carried out in the middle of summer or winter. Cuttings with 3-5 leaves are planted in containers with sand mixed with peat. The growing temperature should be about 22 degrees. In summer, rooting takes place in 2 months, in winter a little longer.

Do not forget to water the cuttings and spray them from time to time. Appropriate means can be used to speed up root formation. With the formation of roots, young plants are transplanted into large pots and care for them like adult plants.

Camellia propagation by grafting

If the variety has a weak ability to take root, it can be propagated by grafting. This is done in the middle of winter. The grafting is carried out with the apical bud.

It germinates in about 2 months. You need to carefully monitor the young flower, as it is very delicate.

Diseases and pests

If the rules for caring for camellia are violated, various problems can occur with it.

If the buds of a flower fall off, this indicates an excess of moisture, which led to acidification of the soil, or you moved the plant while they were forming.
The appearance of spots on the foliage most likely indicates burns. To prevent this from happening, the flower must be protected from sunlight.
If there is a lack of moisture, camellia foliage falls off.
If the humidity is too low, the soil is unsuitable or there is insufficient light, or if the flower is too hot, the plant may simply die.

The main pest of camellia is spider mite, which makes itself felt by cobwebs on the leaves. They usually fight it with acaricides.

Evergreen camellias have a huge number of fans around the world. Camellia bushes with glossy dark green leaves are strewn with a variety of flowers. Garden varieties have quite large flowers, up to 12 cm in diameter; indoor flowers, such as Japanese camellia, delight with a variety of colors.

The camellia flower can come in different sizes, colors and shapes. There are rose-shaped, peony-shaped, anemone-shaped, symmetrical, terry, simple.

In the East, where the Japanese camellia comes from, the art of growing these plants dates back more than a thousand years. Nowadays it is much easier to grow such a beauty at home. In tropical and subtropical climates, for example, on the Black Sea coast, it can be safely grown in open ground. In colder latitudes, camellia is planted in flower pots, tubs and containers.

The Japanese camellia is a visitor from Southeast China, not Japan, and is the most common indoor species. Thousands of varieties bred by breeders originate from it.

How to choose camellia?

You should buy flowers in special stores or nurseries. Choose a healthy plant, symmetrical, with elastic leaves. It is necessary to inspect the leaves for spots or cobwebs. The bush should have many buds and few flowers. A variety such as Japanese camellia is perfect for both beginners and experienced gardeners and will become a real decoration for the home.

Seedlings are also available for sale. Flowers are removed from flowering seedlings. Thus, nutrients after planting promote the development of the root system.

You can also go the hard way and grow camellias yourself from seeds. This is a long but exciting way to obtain plants.

Transfer

To stimulate growth, the tops are pinched 2-3 months before transplantation, at the end of October.

It is also possible to replant in the spring, but spring replanting can stop future bud formation and negatively affect the possibility of flowering in winter.

Soil mixture

A high-quality substrate is the basis for good growth and comfort for camellias. The soil should be acidic, loose, allow air to pass through and retain moisture well. If you choose the wrong soil, there is a high risk of flower death.

To prepare the soil mixture, you need to mix turf soil, peat, coniferous soil and river sand in a ratio of 1:1:1:0.5. You can buy a special soil mixture “Azalea”, “For camellias”, etc., the main thing is to maintain the pH within 4-5. Some gardeners call ready-made soil mixtures an experiment, and it is unknown whether it will be successful. While for beginners, the soil from the package can be a great help. However, you should trust only well-known and trusted companies - manufacturers that produce truly high-quality mixtures.

Special conditions of detention

Camellia japonica, like its other species, is not a houseplant in the full sense. But even in a city apartment you can create comfortable conditions for the oriental plant.

Lighting and location

Temperature

For the comfortable development of Japanese camellia, a special microclimate is required. In summer, a warm temperature of 22-24 degrees and high humidity are required. At the end of autumn, the temperature is reduced to 10 degrees to ensure the formation of flower buds. From January, when flowering begins, the optimal temperature is 15–17 degrees.

Humidity

Watering

Watering should be done with soft, settled water regularly and abundantly. When buds begin to form, watering should be reduced.

Fertilizers

Liquid fertilizing is necessary in the spring, every two weeks. A complex of mineral fertilizers with microelements is dissolved in water and used for irrigation. The concentration of most fertilizers should be lower than stated on the label. You can use ready-made bagged fertilizers for flowering plants or roses.

Camellia propagation

A florist’s special pride is his ability to plant and propagate plants. There are several propagation methods for camellias.

To germinate cuttings, a higher temperature is required than for an adult bush - up to 25 degrees. Despite the apparent simplicity of this method, it is not very effective. Therefore, it is wise to plant several cuttings at once.

The first roots will appear in 3 months, and the plant will bloom no earlier than after 2 years.

Pests and diseases

Camellia japonica is susceptible to disease. Yellowing of leaves - chlorosis occurs from a lack of iron and is treated by treating with special preparations twice a year.

Aphids feed on plant juices and contribute to the development of fungus. To eliminate pests, use appropriate means, such as insecticides.

Common problems

Root rot occurs when the soil becomes waterlogged and acidified. Just like fungal diseases, root rot is treated with fungicidal drugs. When severely damaged, it causes flowers and buds to fall off and can lead to the death of the entire plant.
If the flower turns yellow and the leaves fall off, there may be increased acidity in the soil, or the plant has received sunburn from prolonged contact with direct sunlight.
When changing place while buds are setting, camellia may drop its flowers.