Camelia
The Bloom is just amazing. “Camellias are amongst the world's best flowering plants. They are hardy and disease resistant, most varieties have attractive, glossy green foliage.
I just purchased them for my collection. I start gathering all information about Camelia.
Many information from different website on the net . But try to minimize the information so it is gonna be easier to be a guide.
Here are some information from the Camelia's Expert that may needed before purchase :
There are 2 type of camelia :
1. Japonica Camelia.
They used to bloom in winter or early spring, the flower and leaves are large. Japonica Camelia is 15-25 feet high and wide, so it takes up a lot of space.
2. Sasanqua Camelia
The flower is smaller, have darker leaves, maturing to glossy . The leaves are about half of C. Japonica.
Sasanquas grow from 10-12 feet high.
Other varieties are also available .
Camellias is a flowering plants, this evergreen shrubs and small trees from 2 meters to 20. Flowers are large, visible from a distance, the size of 1 centimeter in diameter to 12 with 5-9 petals.
They have various of colour red, pink, white, peach.
Camellia flowers grow in several different forms, some of these include- single form such as camellia sasanqua , Anemone form like camellia japonica 'Elegans Splendor' and formal double eg: camellia japonica 'Margaret Hertrich'.
Planting and Growing Conditions
Camelias are relatively slow growing, they are happy in container or tube so this is good for me since I am a container gardener.
Climate:
Most japonica and sasanqua camellias are hardy to zone 7-9, with a few varieties hardy to zone 6. Flower buds can be nipped by frost, so later-blooming varieties may do better in colder areas.
Light: Semi-shade or dappled shade. Camelia thrive and bloom best when sheltered from hot sun and drying wind. C. Japonica prefers light or partial shade and C. Sasanqua can tolerate shade to full sun.
Soil: Well-drained acidic soil (pH 6.0 to 6.5). Need well drained soil rich with organic matter.Never plant Camelia's trunk base is below soil line.
Water: Give regular to moderate. Establish Camelia can survive on natural rainfall. Keep moist but not waterlogged. The amount of water is depending of local weather. Water deeply in summer to help promote healthy new grow.
Camellias are considered very pest and disease resistant, the majority of plants will never experience any problems with disease. The pests that most commonly affect camellias are the leaf suckers such as scale, aphids and mites which draw nutrients out of foliage, new growth and flower buds. Use insecticide such as Confidor from bayer to put a swift end to any troublesome pests on your camellias. A stronger white oil based spray may be required for really bad scale or mite problems. Always remember to exercise caution before using any insecticides and be sure to identify the pest first before spraying.
