Characteristics, care and cultivation of camellia, a flowering plant for gardens and pots.
Plants put us in a good mood and putting your hands in the ground is really good for the spirit. They help decorate the interior spaces of the house and beautify the gardens; what are you waiting for to buy one all for yourself? You do not need great skills as a gardener, just a little patience and love and the results will not be long in coming! Some species of plants are ideal for purifying the air of the house, find out in the video what they are.
Characteristics and history of the camellia
With the name Camellia a genus of plants belonging to the botanical family of Theaceae. Commonly known as "camellia", the species has oriental origins (Japan and China), although cultivation is now widespread also in Europe.
Such Camellia there are over 250 species, between spontaneous and cultivated, but in general we can say that it is an evergreen shrub, extremely recognizable for its leaves and its beautiful dense and large flowers.
Among the most widespread species in the world is the camelia sinensis; it is a garden plant also used in cooking: from its shoots it is possible to obtain delicious tea, green if the shoots are dried, or black if they are left to ferment a little before drying. Here, however, it is not so well known because it is a plant used for ornamental purposes and present in the gardens of collectors.
The best-known species of camellia in the garden is the camelia japonica, easy to grow and present in many terraces both for ornamental and home purposes, in particular in the area of Lake Maggiore and Lucchesia. It too can be considered as a useful plant for the preparation of tea and herbal teas, especially in countries of Asian origin.
Camellia flowers are the result of an "export from Asia" which took place around 1600; a botanist of the time, Georg Joseph Kamel was fascinated by them in Japan and China and decided to challenge the strict rules of the place to transport the seeds to Europe. Since then, camellias have spread more and more as evergreen plants, to become one of the best known and most resistant flowering species.
The camellia flowers
Given its expansion on the terraces and gardens of Italy, it is extremely likely that you have already seen one. Camellias tend to be large shrubs and can reach up to 2-3 meters in height if planted in gardens with hummus-rich soils. and acid pH (the elevation changes a lot depending on the variety).
The leaves surrounding the camellia flowers are oval in shape and a beautiful dark green color, shiny and thick.
The success of the spread of the camellia as a decorative plant, however, is not given by its resistance or its size, but by the flower.
The flowers of the camellia they are large, cupped, single or double, double and extra-double depending on the variety. The most common are the extra-double ones of the Japanese camellia, very close in shape to those of roses.
The color of the camellia flower can vary from white to pink, to red and streaked petals. You may have seen camellias with yellow flowers, but in that case you were extremely lucky because they are rare!
These evergreen shrubs, regardless of the shade of the petals, are quite vigorous as specimens and can be grown even by people who are new to gardening. Just pay attention to the fertilizer, watering and exposure. Watch out for the japonica variety which has flowers with petals so compact that they cannot bloom, and they almost rot still in bud.
In general, the beginning of spring (February-March) is identified as the standard flowering period for camellias and then a subsequent growth of buds in April.
A curiosity about camellia flowers: in the United Kingdom, camellias are often called Japanese roses, due to the similarity of their flowers.
Cultivation of camellia in the garden and in pots
Although the flowers of the camellia japonica may seem delicate to you, in reality we are facing a fairly resistant species. The shrubs are therefore characterized by a simple cultivation that must follow some golden rules both for planting in the garden and in pots: an acid soil and a "half-shade" exposure.
The first is not so easy to find in our country, due to aqueducts rich in limestone, but a good habitat for growing camellias is the sparse undergrowth, where the climate is humid and cool even if we are in the height of summer. Even better if the plant is sheltered from direct rays from tall trees that guarantee a semi-shaded area without excesses of direct light. Camellias love the light, but have little tolerance for direct rays because they tend to burn their leaves.
The choice of the location for planting depends on the area in which you live; in the cooler ones, cultivation in full sun with exposure to West or South is allowed, but keep in mind to always store them in places sheltered from the wind.
Camellia is an evergreen shrub and is a friend of humidity, therefore the soil must be similar to that of the other acidophilic plants in the house, if already present; a little humid all year round, but not too wet to avoid stagnation of water. towards the roots.
The plant can be grown both in green areas and on terraces, preferring for the choice in pots if our area of residence is characterized by very harsh winters. In this way it will be possible to move it if necessary and change the soil in favor of one for acidophilic plants.
See also: Succulents or cupcakes? Try doing them too!
Camelia japonica maintenance
In particular for the variety of camelia japonica, but in general, for all species of the genus camellia, the waterings must be regular and only when we see that the soil is dry. plant.
Camellia plants can be very long-lived but their life cycle depends on many factors, including habitat and crop care. The fertilizer to use to make them grow strong and luxuriant is that for acidophilic plants and must be used as indicated on the packaging (you can simply find a fertilizer indicated in supermarkets or nurseries); you will also notice that the camellia has a natural layer of mulch. Here this layer must be changed periodically for its optimal maintenance, being a perennial type vegetable. How to do? You can use simple materials from a forest or countryside: pine needles, bark, dry leaves and straw.
Mulching is very important for camellia because it avoids the growth of weeds and keeps the soil more humid.
To make your camellia proliferate, use the cutting technique: it is the safest method and with the best results. The operation must be done in summer, from mid-July to late August, when the bark becomes light brown. Proceed as follows: then remove the lower leaves of the branch detached from the center of the plant, which must be young and soft , and place the cutting of 15-20cm in a pot with peat and sand, which will be kept moist. Water every now and then and wait for rooting times (within 3-4 months).
Finally, for the good maintenance of the plant you must know that there is no need to prune as they grow very slowly. Occasionally take the time to clean the dead branches and to prune the camellia in case of abundant growth; that's all you need to adjust it in height and diameter.
Which variety of camellia to choose
In their natural state, camellias are very varied: it is estimated that over 200 plant species belong to this genus of plants and thanks to crossings and selections, almost 28,000 varieties can be counted!
The choice is really wide, how is it possible to choose the right one for our abilities and needs?
Let's analyze the 4 best known varieties of camellia in Italy:
- Camelia Japonica. We have already seen that it is the most popular species, native to Japan and Korea. The plant is a small shrub and its maximum height is 15m in height. Its foliage is dense and very scenic due to its shiny and dark shades. The flowering of camellia japonica occurs at the end of winter, between February and April. Its flowers are magnificent and colorful, simple or semi-double. The main colors are white, pink and red. Choose this evergreen plant if you live in a "area with a mild climate because the frosts of the northernmost regions can cause the death of the buds. This does not mean that there are not beautiful camellias grown in Lombardy, for example, but only that they must be in places sheltered from winds and intense cold. The exposure to the North must be good;
- Camelia Sasanqua, another species from Japan, but smaller than the japonica. Its maximum growth is 7 meters and is visually more delicate than its previous sister. Its flowers are slightly scented and bloom from October to March; their colors are either white or red and even here they appear as simple or semi-double.Unlike japonica, sasanqua tolerates frost enough and grows well even in neutral or sub-alkaline soils;
- Camelia Sinensis. A small tree purely grown in the garden: it reaches up to 15m in height and its flowers are fragrant and white. More widespread in Asia than in Europe, it is the variety of camellia most used in the kitchen to obtain good homemade tea. It loves warm climates and is not very ornamental compared to the camellia japonica and the camellia sasanqua;
- Camellia reticulata, from China. The flowers of the Camellia reticulata cultivated are beautiful, eye-catching and even up to 15 cm large! It is a beautiful ornamental tree of about 5m with buds ranging in color from pink to purple. Like the other species, it can be grown outdoors, in areas with a particularly mild climate, or in a cold greenhouse.
How to cure camellia against diseases and parasites
Camellia, as with other acidophiles, can be attacked by some parasites; the main ones are the scale insects (Plantococcus citris, cottony cochineal; Pseudococcus adoninum, mealy cochineal; Coccus hesperidum And Parlatoria camelliae, purple camellia cochineal).
This insect attacks the leaves of the plant in the first place, causing a general deterioration of the same. You can fight it in the winter months by using natural ingredients such as white oil and Marseille soap, or by using copper-based products.
Parasites are not the only causes of plant decay, because camellia can be subject to some typical diseases such as fungal diseases. In particular the Cibornia camelliae it causes the withering of the flowers and their fall. It is evident with gray halos in the center of the flower because it directly hits the open flower which then falls to the ground.
One way to eliminate the fungus is to remove the fallen flowers from the ground and possibly, if the attack is widespread, proceed with water and bicarbonate for 10 g diluted in a liter of water.
Finally, we also mention all those evidences on leaves or flowers derived from incorrect irrigation, incorrect exposure or unsuitable soil. All actions that can be corrected with the camela care tips mentioned above.
Meaning of flowers: camellia
It is said that the camellia is one of the oldest plants in Japan and for this legend it has been attributed different meanings.
In the language of flowers, camellia means perfect beauty and when you make a gift of a plant of this plant genus you want to express admiration and esteem. In the Chinese tradition, its soft petals are a symbol of extreme refinement and for this reason they embody the essence of a girl who has chosen to rely on the protection of her beloved young man. Not only that, this shrub is one of the symbols of good luck in the Chinese New Year, an occasion during which it is traditionally offered as a gift to the gods. Camellias are extremely widespread in southwestern China and in these regions these species are the most suitable flower to give to children, young children, whether they are male or female.
This happens because the camellia it symbolizes the eternal devotion between two lovers, since the petals and the chalice unusually detach together from the plant after the flower has withered, instead of falling petal after petal to the ground. A camellia plant in China represents "eternal love while in Japan it covers the meaning of 'broken life'.
This does not mean that in Japan the camellia is not a beloved specimen, quite the contrary! It is one of the native plants and they are very proud of it for the fullness of the flowers and for the early flowering.
In Korea, another homeland of camellia, flowering symbolizes devotion and persistence in love, so much so that it is often chosen as a wedding flower.
Camellia flower color and meaning
Depending on the shades of the buds you want to give, you can express a different message:
- pink camellia flower, means nostalgia and the will to make peace or to find each other again;
- red camellia flower, synonymous with passion and romantic love;
- striped camellia flower, a symbol of trust in others and hope;
- white camellia flower, equal to deep affection not necessarily romantic, like that of a parent towards a child and also gratitude.
