The most beautiful camellias in the garden. Camellia - flowering tea bushes

Camellia is a shrub or tree, a member of the tea family. Some varieties grow up to 15 meters. The original leaves and large flowers of this plant served as the reason for its adaptation to cultivation in room conditions. There are several varieties of shrubs - Chinese, mountain, Japanese camellia. Care and cultivation at home have their own subtleties. You will learn about them from this article.

Decorative species are really very good. These are tall plants, covered with many large flowers of different colors in the autumn-winter period. She is often called Chinese rose for the similarity of flowers in appearance and smell. The camellia leaf is dense, with a glossy surface, so the decorative qualities of the plant are high not only during flowering.

In an apartment, with good, attentive care, it grows up to 4 meters in height. There are many varieties, but not all of them are suitable for an apartment. The best varieties The following types are considered for growing at home:

• Japanese.
  
  
• Widely distributed in nature in Japan, China, and Korea. The tallest variety, which is a full-fledged tree up to 15 meters high. Camellia japonica is interesting for its pointed glossy leaves, which are so smooth that they sparkle in the sun. Decorative varieties of Japanese camellia form a fairly compact bush or tree. Mountain. No less
  
  
• beautiful bush
  
  
• with erect or hanging shoots. The leaves are ovate with slight pubescence on the underside. It blooms from early autumn to mid-winter, the flowers exude a delicate aroma.
  
  

Mesh.

The camellia reticulum flower reaches 20 cm in diameter. In some varieties, the flowers have multi-colored strokes and iridescence. They are called chimeras.

Chinese.

The camellia houseplant, despite its beauty, is not very common. This is due to the difficulties of growing it at home. Inexperienced gardeners often encounter the death of a flowering and apparently healthy plant some time after purchase. For the plant to grow properly, you need to create the appropriate conditions for it:

1. Lighting and location. This is a light-loving plant, but it must be protected from direct sun. It grows well on the windowsills of windows facing west, east or on the floor next to them. The tub or pot with camellia is periodically rotated to uniformly form the crown.
2. Temperature. The main difficulties in growing arise from the need to maintain optimal temperature. Without this, she will simply disappear. For each season, flower growers recommend adhering to a certain temperature regime. In summer optimal temperature ranges from +20 to +25°C, in spring from +13 to +17°C, in winter from +5 to +8°C, in autumn from +15 to +16°C. Such conditions can only be created if there is a glazed balcony in the apartment.
3. The soil. It is better to choose acidic soil for camellias with a pH value of 4.5-5. The recommended composition is one part each of humus and peat and half as much fine sand. You can use ready-made soils for rhododendrons or camellias themselves, consisting of peat, perlite, crushed bark and fine sand.
4. Watering.
5. Regular but moderate watering is recommended. Excess humidity is unacceptable. It is better to take soft water - snow, rain or standing for 1-3 days. In summer, during the period of bud formation, the frequency and intensity of watering is limited.
6. Humidity. The flower responds gratefully to air humidification. It is recommended to systematically spray it with a spray bottle using soft water. There is another way - the pot is placed on a tray filled with expanded clay, decorative pebbles and a small amount of water. Flowering plants are sprayed carefully, avoiding water getting on the flowers. Purchasing an air humidifier will simplify the task of maintaining high humidity.
7. Feeding. Shaping allows you to get more beautiful and neat bushes by thinning the crown or stimulating the growth of buds in the axils. It is recommended to prune towards the end of the flowering period.

Important! Proper care behind camellia is to create favorable temperature conditions. In winter, the plant needs cold; it will quickly die in an apartment. Therefore, in winter, camellia should be kept on glassed balcony at a temperature not higher than +10…+15°C.

Camellia transplant

Due to its developed root system, camellia must be replanted into a larger container once every 2-3 years. The soil for planting should be light and acidic. Using heavy soil will make it difficult for the root system to breathe and cause it to rot as a result of high humidity. Calcareous and alkaline soils are unsuitable for growing camellias - the plant quickly dies in them.

To avoid damaging the roots, the plant is transferred to a larger pot along with a lump of earth, adding fresh soil mixture to the free space. The first days after transplantation, camellia should be sprayed daily and monitor soil moisture. Adding a small amount of hydrogel to the soil will help maintain optimal moisture, avoiding root rot.

Flower growers have different opinions about the timing of transplantation. Some believe that the optimal period is the end of flowering. Others prefer to replant camellias while they are in bloom. The second option has a drawback - the flowers will inevitably suffer. It is prohibited to transplant camellias during the period of active growth, which begins in April and ends in autumn.

Advice! It is best to grow camellia in oak tubs and unglazed ceramic pots. Be sure to choose a container big size for the harmonious development of the root system.

Reproduction methods

Camellia propagation is usually carried out by cuttings. This is the simplest but most effective way to obtain a plant with unchanged characteristics of the variety. In addition to cuttings, planting with seeds and grafting is sometimes used.

1. Propagation by seeds. Camellia can only be grown from seeds, which are sold in specialized stores. When Camellia is propagated by seeds collected independently from the plant, it will lose the original characteristics of the variety. The seeds are sown in boxes, laid out on the surface of light, moist soil. The seeds should be lightly sprinkled with soil mixture on top. To speed up germination, the boxes are covered with polyethylene or glass and placed in a warm place. Seedlings dive into separate pots when true leaves appear.
2. Cuttings.

The apical woody cuttings are taken from adult plants in July or January. The optimal cutting length is 6-8 cm with 3-5 leaves. The cuttings are briefly soaked in a heteroauxin solution, after which they are planted in a moistened mixture of sand and peat. For rapid rooting, a temperature of about 20-23°C is required. After about 2 months, they are planted in separate pots.

Diseases and pests

• Camellia is a capricious plant; if not properly cared for, it gets sick and suffers from pests. The appearance of brownish spots on flowers and black-gray spots on leaves indicates fungal disease
• . Fungicides are used to combat it.
• Scale insects and aphids can completely destroy young shoots of a plant. To get rid of them, they are treated with insecticides.
• The appearance of brown spots on the leaves in summer indicates sunburn.

Falling leaves indicate a lack or excess of moisture in the soil.

Camellia requires constant care, but the time spent is fully compensated by the very beautiful and long-lasting flowering of the plant.

It is no coincidence that the camellia, a beautiful but soulless flower, has earned the reputation of being touchy with a cold heart. During flowering it is perfect, but has no aroma, and its petals seem to be made of wax. Like a real sleeping beauty, she opens her buds only after falling into a state of rest, often demonstrates her character and does not allow herself to be tamed by everyone.

But, as in life, tough looks can be deceiving. Once you understand the physiological characteristics of the plant and create the right conditions, it is not difficult to grow camellia. And we will prove this by revealing the secrets of a flower that seems capricious at first glance.

A subtropical plant that does not like the tropics

Warm ocean currents and humid monsoons determine Japan's climate. On most islands it is warm and humid, becoming subtropical and tropic towards the south. In winter, the temperature rarely drops below zero; snow is a rarity here.

The flora of Japan is represented by a wide variety of evergreen trees and shrubs. The vast forests consist of cypresses and magnolias, tree ferns and jagged oaks, and under their canopy are thickets of rhododendrons and beautiful camellias, which the Japanese adore and grow in special natural gardens, as can be seen in the photo below.

Camellia came to Europe about 200 years ago. It was brought by the Czech botanist Georg Kamel, who was engaged in missionary and medical activities in the Philippines. The “Japanese rose” was named in his honor. Unfortunately, he did not find out about this, since the specified event occurred 30 years after his death.

What does it look like?

Camellia is a representative of the Tea family. Yes, yes, one of the types of this plant is called the tea bush, and its leaves serve as raw materials for preparing one of the most popular drinks.

In nature it is an evergreen shrub or small tree 10–15 m high. Leaves on short petioles, alternate, elliptical in shape, serrated along the edges, like a rose. They are quite dense and so glossy that they reflect the sun's rays, sending out “bunnies”. Due to the leathery dark green foliage, the bush looks very elegant even without flowers.

The flowers are single, large, 12–15 cm in diameter. In nature, they are single or semi-double, mostly red or white. The cultural assortment is represented by a wide variety of terry shapes and shades. Among them are surprisingly graceful specimens, such as the Middlebury pink camellia, whose petals resemble neatly laid tiles.

Under natural conditions, camellia blooms from January to March, but in some modern hybrids this period is extended to six months - from November to May.

Another unusual feature Japanese rose- gradual withering of the flower, which falls off entirely, while maintaining its bright colors. The bush always looks neat - no withered, dried flowers with fallen petals.

Loves, doesn’t like – camellia’s natural preferences

Camellia is a plant that is naturally intended for open ground; it is grown indoors due to our cold climate. And since the plant is subtropical, they try to create greenhouse conditions for it. This is precisely the main mistake. To better understand the preferences of a flower, consider what environment it is accustomed to and how this affected its physiology.

1. The plant loves warm, but not hot, humid weather, without sharp seasonal fluctuations. In its natural environment, the evergreen shrub overwinters in the temperature range of 7–10⁰ plus; if a cold snap occurs, it is short-lived and not severe.
   

   In our latitudes, camellia tolerates summer painlessly, but there are problems with winter. Outdoors is unacceptable (the minimum temperature it can withstand is 10⁰ below zero); in a room at +20–25⁰ it is too hot.

2. In nature, the shrub grows under the forest canopy, in the lacy shadow of its taller neighbors. Prefers diffused light, long daylight hours. In the room, the window sills of the eastern and northern windows are suitable for flowers.
3. The monsoon climate of the plant's homeland provides high humidity. Like orchids, garden camellia loves spraying, as well as nearby sources of moisture evaporation.
4. Growing in undergrowth with a lot of coniferous trees determines the composition of the soil. It is light, airy, with an acidic reaction (pH 4.5–5.5). A pillow made of coniferous and deciduous litter gets wet well, but does not retain water.

To summarize, the main preferences of a houseplant are a lot of diffused light, low positive temperatures during flowering, acidic loose soil and good air humidity.

Accordingly, open sun, keeping it in a warm room in winter, unsuitable planting substrate, and lack of moisture depress the culture.

Features of the annual development cycle

We love flowers outside of school hours. We “deceive” bulbous plants by forcing them to bloom in winter, but there is a whole group of plants for which this is a natural stage of the annual cycle. Our heroine also belongs to them.

• The growth period of garden camellia begins with the general awakening of nature - in April-May. At this time, it increases the vegetative mass, strengthens root system. Shoot growth continues until mid-summer.
• Bookmarking begins around August flower buds.
• In mid-autumn, buds appear, which will open only with the onset of a suitable temperature regime.
• At the beginning of winter, the plant blooms, but at the same time all other organs (shoots, leaves, roots) stop growing.

In fact, camellia is a flower that blooms during sleep, which makes caring for it at home more difficult.

Camellia family

IN European countries With mild winters, flowering shrubs and trees can be found right outside. Moreover, American breeders have developed many frost-resistant crop varieties that can withstand significant temperature drops to minus. The following types are most common in gardens and greenhouses.

Camellia japonica

It is a vigorous, spreading shrub with strong branches and shiny dark green leaves. In Japan, it is often grown in tree form, and in indoor cultivation, bonsai trees are formed. In nature, the buds, laid in the fall, bloom in January-February. The flowers are large (ø 5–13 cm), with dense, waxy petals, and odorless.

It was this type of camellia that served as the genetic basis for many varieties and hybrids of the plant:

• varieties with simple red flowers - Ashya, Christmas;
• red double camellias - Adolph Aduson, Cliford Parks, Royal Velvet, Fred Sander, Cochetti;
• hybrids with white double flowers - Nobilissima, Duchess of Bari, Alba Simplex;
• pink varieties - Doctor Tinsley, Pink Perfection, Otoma Tsubaki.

The latest “fashion” in camellia breeding is the breeding of varieties with variegated petals.

In our country this species is better known as tea bush. An evergreen shrub with a dense spreading crown grows up to 10 m in height. The leaves are slightly elongated, leathery, dark green on the front side, somewhat lighter on the back side. In mid-autumn, the bush is covered with simple white flowers with a yellow core consisting of many anthers. Unlike the odorless Camellia japonica shown in the photo above, this is a species with a light tea aroma.

Sasanqua (mountain species)

Sasanqua, growing on the forested mountain slopes of the Japanese islands, is a woody shrub with thin hanging branches, rarely exceeding 2.5–3 m in height. Its leaves are much smaller in comparison with other species, but the shape and density of the leaf blade are the same - glossy and leathery. The flowers are large, simple, on a short petiole - it seems that they are literally stuck to the shoot.

Sasanqua is distinguished by its endurance to sub-zero temperatures and its love of light, therefore, it was with its participation that varieties of frost-resistant bush camellia were bred (pictured below). Popular hybrids are Empress, Cleopatra, Chansonnier. Although bush camellia is intended for open ground, it also feels good in indoor cultivation.

Camellia reticulata (reticulata)

This type of camellia is often called tree-like, due to the fact that it grows as a tree and can rise up to 20 m. In addition, it has the largest flowers - up to 20 cm in diameter. Breeders are very fond of reticulata, using it to create unique large-flowered hybrids. Thus, when crossing K. japonica and reticularis, excellent new varieties were obtained, allocated to a separate group of Williams hybrids.

Hybrid Williams group

Williams varieties and hybrids are superior in many respects to the original material taken for crossing. Their flowering period lasts longer than that of K. japonica, they are more hardy, do not shed their petals, and the entire flower withers on the bush. The assortment includes semi-double and double hybrids, red, pink, white, and variegated camellias. The plants are tall; in our climate, they are best grown in tubs or closed ground in greenhouses and winter gardens.

Subtleties of growing and caring indoors

Garden camellia in temperate latitudes is cultivated indoors, so we will consider the features of planting and caring for the plant in a city apartment or private house.

The way home

Autumn and early winter is the peak time for camellias to go on sale. If you are given a flower, first of all, carefully examine it.

• A healthy plant has clean, dark green foliage, buds that do not dry out, and flowers with dense, elastic petals.
• The root collar is located flush with the soil.
• The substrate should be wet, but at the same time crumble in your hands.

Even if there is something wrong with the plant, do not rush to replant it, let it adapt to the new place and get used to the microclimate of the room.

But the right conditions need to be created from day one.

For camellia japonica, namely its hybrids that are sold more often than others, diffused light is necessary. In the cold season, a window sill, a glazed balcony facing north or east side. With the onset of spring, it will be uncomfortable for the plant to be close to the glass and sunburn is possible, so it is better to keep it at some distance from the window.

A common option for keeping a flower in summer is in the garden. Pots with plants are buried in the lacy penumbra of trees, where there is a lot of diffused light. They are gradually accustomed to the open air, first by taking them out for several hours. Returned to the room with the onset of low, but positive! temperatures

The second vital condition is temperature. The main enemy of blooming camellia is city heating; so that it does not get sick, in winter it needs a temperature in the range of 10–12⁰ C. Therefore, feel free to purchase a delightful flower if you have a glazed loggia, a cool veranda or a winter garden.

In summer, the plant feels comfortable at a temperature of 20–25⁰ C; with a good flow of fresh air, it will withstand hotter days. The temperature should be gradually lowered from about mid-autumn - this has a beneficial effect on the formation of flower buds.

The third condition is high air humidity. The ideal regime (90%) can be created in a greenhouse; in a room this figure is slightly lower. This is achieved using a special humidifier. If there is none, spray it and place a vessel with water next to the pot so that evaporation occurs.

Watering

Camellia is picky about watering - this is an element of care whose intricacies you need to know both indoors and when growing crops in the garden. Here are the basic rules.

1. For irrigation, it is recommended to use warm and soft water (rain, melt, purified).
2. Always water moderately, avoiding excessive drying out and waterlogging of the coma. Marker - wet substrate crumbles.
3. The plant requires more frequent watering during the period of vegetative growth (spring-summer), less - during the dormant period (flowering) - late autumn, winter.
4. After watering, excess water is removed from the pan.

Feeding

Flowering exhausts the plant. With its completion, feeding begins. It is best to use professional fertilizers for camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons, in which the complex of nutritional components is already balanced to meet the needs. The frequency of fertilizing is once every two weeks, all the time while the shoots are growing. From August, feeding is stopped - this is a signal for the laying of generative buds and forcing out buds

Transplantation, choice of soil mixture

The camellia flower is usually replanted every 2–3 years. The approach to choosing a planting container is the same as for other indoor plants - 1 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. Plastic pots retain moisture well.

It is better to purchase a ready-made soil mixture intended for camellias and azaleas. Its main property is an acidic reaction. Compound:

• high-moor (acidic) peat;
• rotted pine litter;
• leaf soil;
• perlite;
• coarse river sand.

Before transplanting, the flower is freed from the old substrate, the roots are slightly “combed”, removing rotten parts. A shard is placed on the drainage hole, drainage is poured (expanded clay, stones), sprinkled with a layer of coarse sand, and then the planting itself proceeds. The substrate is pre-moistened and watered after planting so that it better covers the roots.

The most suitable time for replanting is the end of flowering.

Is pruning necessary?

If you are not creating a bonsai, the plant needs minimal pruning. What and when is pruned?

• Shoots that spoil the appearance of the crown.
• Branches that grow inward and interfere with others.
• The tip of the shoot, if necessary, stimulate its branching.

It is advisable to prune before the start of vegetative growth, i.e. in spring. You cannot combine replanting and pruning a flower, as this will complicate its restoration.

Camellia propagation

Camellia is propagated by cuttings and grown from seeds.

Cuttings allow you to preserve the variety of the crop. Cuttings are taken from green (non-lignified) apical shoots. This can be done at any time of the year, but better in summer. The length of the stem is 6–8 cm with 3–5 leaves, which are cut in half to reduce the area of ​​evaporation.

For rooting, prepare a wet mixture of coarse sand and peat (in half), treat the cut of the cutting with root or other stimulant, and plant it at an angle of 45⁰. The bowl with the cuttings is covered on top with a transparent cap, under which they will remain until the roots appear - and this is 3-4 months. The mini-greenhouse is regularly ventilated, moistened, and the temperature is maintained at 20–25⁰ C.

The second option is to grow camellia from seeds at home. But you need to remember that with this method, 80% of the characteristics of the mother plant are preserved.

Seeds are sown in the same mixture as for cuttings. The seeds are placed at a distance of 5–7 cm, sprinkled with substrate, moistened and placed under a transparent cap for germination. Shoots with two true leaves dive into small pots with full soil.

Camellia seeds contain a lot of oils, so they germinate while they are fresh. It is better to sow them immediately after ripening, in the spring and summer months. If there is a need to save seeds, they are placed in peat, perlite, placed in the refrigerator or lowered into the basement - a temperature of no higher than 10⁰ C is needed.

Japanese rose in the garden

With the advent of frost-resistant varieties of bush camellia, there is a temptation to grow it in the garden; in this case, planting and care have their own nuances.

It is encouraging that some hybrids can withstand up to 20⁰ frost. But do not forget that this is a winter-flowering plant. Yes, the roots will survive minus temperature, perhaps even some of the shoots will remain, but the shrub will not bloom in the cold. It's about, firstly, about a short-term drop in temperature, and secondly, for the bush to bloom, positive temperatures must be established by the end of January. So, whatever one may say, we can only grow camellia in the garden in the south

Planting requirements are similar to indoor ones - partial shade, acidic soil, abundant watering. But since the plant remains to winter in the ground, it is recommended to insulate the root zone with mulching materials - leaves, sawdust, crushed bark. If there is a threat of frost during flowering, it is recommended to wrap the camellia crown with lutrasil at night.

We tried to outline all the nuances of growing flower crops. If you remember and follow them, camellia will captivate you with its refined grace and will not be capricious at all.

Tips for growing camellia japonica:

In today's article we will take a closer look at such a beautiful indoor plant as camellia. So…

Camellia ( lat. Camellia) - a genus of evergreen trees or shrubs with beautiful flowers of the family Tea plants (Theaceae).

The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus in honor of the Jesuit missionary and botanist of Czech origin Georg Joseph Kamel (1661-1706), who worked as a doctor and apothecary in the Philippines, who first brought camellia to Europe from the Philippines.

Camellia is widespread in the tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast and East Asia, the South of the USA, on the peninsulas of Indochina, Korea, Japan, on the islands of Java, Sulawesi, and the Philippines.

Most known species plants - Camellia sinensis (Camellia sinensis), from the leaves of which raw materials for making tea are obtained. Many types of camellia are used in ornamental gardening.

Camellia It is a small evergreen shrub or tree with a height of 2 to 20 meters.

The leaves are simple, elliptical to broadly and oblong-ovate, leathery, glossy, pointed or obtuse, one at a time, sometimes 2-3, alternate on short petioles, 3-17 cm long.

The flowers are solitary, 1-12 cm in diameter. The petals are fused at the base, pink, red, white or variegated, the stamens are numerous. Camellia blooms in winter at temperatures no higher than 12°C.

The flowering period of the camellia bush is 1-3 months. One flower lasts up to a month. The fruit is a dry capsule that is usually divided into 5 compartments with 8 seeds.

Some types of camellia have become widespread as valuable ornamental evergreens and flowering plants. They are widely used for landscaping interiors and creating exhibitions in the park during the summer. Others are used as tea, as you and I already know.

An essential oil containing 97% eugenol is obtained from the leaves of the Japanese-Chinese camellia eugenol (Camellia sasanqua).

In the genus Camellia different sources refers to from 80 to 250 plants.

Types of camellia

Camellia sinensis , whale. 茶 "cha" , Japanese 茶 "cha") . Other plant names: Tea, tea bush. Homeland - tropical and subtropical mountain forests of Southeast Asia (Indochina).

Camellia sinensis - evergreen shrub or a small tree up to 10 m high with spreading branches.

The leaves are alternate, oval or elongated-oval, narrowed towards the apex, short-petioled, dark above, light green below, 5-7 cm long, 3.5-4 cm wide, slightly pubescent when young. The pulp of the leaves contains branched supporting sclereids.

The flowers are fragrant, solitary or 2-4 in the leaf axils. Bracts and flowers are arranged in a spiral. The calyx is fused-leaved with 5-7 sepals, almost round, remaining with the fruit. The corolla is 2.5-3 cm in diameter, falling off after flowering, of 5-9 white petals with a yellowish-pink tint, fused at the base with each other and the calyx. Stamens in two circles: the outer ones grow together with stamen filaments and grow to the petals, the inner ones are free; anthers small, ovoid. The gynoecium is coenocarpous, with columns fused to the middle.

The fruit is a flattened tricuspid woody capsule. The seeds are round, dark brown, 10-13 mm long, 1 mm thick.

Blooms from August to late autumn. Fruits in October-December.

The tea bush was first cultivated in China, from where it came to Japan. In 1824, the Dutch began to cultivate tea on the island of Java, and in 1834 the British began to cultivate tea in the Himalayas. Currently, the main tea cultures are concentrated in China, India, Japan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Africa (Kenya and Natal), South America. In Europe it grows in the open air in Russia ( Krasnodar region), in the Caucasus, southern England, Portugal, Sicily, western France.

. This type of camellia is common in forests and along the banks of rivers in China, at altitudes of 500-1300 m above sea level. Sometimes it is cultivated there for its seeds rich in fatty oil.

Camellia oleifera is an evergreen tree up to 10 m high. The trunk with a diameter of up to 20 cm is covered with brown bark. The leaves are alternate, simple leathery, petiolate, ovoid, pointed or obtuse at the apex. The flowers are white, bisexual, single or paired, axillary, appearing in September. Their flowering period lasts until mid-October. The fruit is a large capsule with numerous spherical seeds up to 3 cm long.

Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica) . Found in forests in China, Japan, and Korea.

Camellia japonica is a shrub or tree 10-12 (up to 15) meters tall. The leaves are elliptical or ovate, 5-10 cm long, pointed, along the edges, serrate, leathery, glossy, dark green. Flowers are single or collected in several, 4 cm in diameter (mainly garden varieties with large flowers, 7-12 cm in diameter, are cultivated), simple, semi-double or double, pink, red, white, variegated, Seeds are large, almost rounded. Blooms profusely in December-April.

Various forms are widespread in culture, but mainly garden varieties, which differ in the degree of terry, flower size, arrangement of petals and color. Outside the subtropics, it is also a widely known plant in cultivation; it is grown in cool rooms as a potted plant, tub plant, and in the ground; grows and blooms well in rooms, requires no higher than 12°C in winter time. It bears fruit in greenhouses.

In Chinese traditional medicine, all Camellia japonica plants are considered anti-cancer. The flowers have astringent and tonic properties.

Some varieties of Camellia japonica:

Mountain camellia (Camellia sasanqua) . Synonyms: Camellia miyagii (Camellia miyagii), Camellia tegmentosa (Camellia tegmentosa), Miyagi tea (Thea miyagii), Mountain tea (Thea sasanqua), Tegmentosa tea (Thea tegmentosa). Lives in mountain forests on the islands of Kyushu and Okinawa.

Mountain camellia is a shrub up to 3-4 (up to 5) m tall, with thin branches and reddish hairy shoots. The leaves are elliptical or oblong-ovate, 3-7 cm long, 1.5-3 cm wide, bluntly pointed, serrated at the edges, glossy and dark green above, with a hairy pubescent midrib below. Flowers are single or collected in groups of 2-3, up to 6-7 cm in diameter, simple, white, pink or red, fragrant. Blooms profusely in November-January.

As evergreen and flowering plants, garden varieties are mainly bred in cultivation. Suitable for cool rooms.

There are five main groups of sazanka cultivars:
— “real” carp Camellia sasanqua;
— camellia Camellia x hiemalis;
— camellia Camellia x vernalis;
- a group of camellia hybrids with the common name “Egao”;
- frost-resistant Ackerman camellia hybrids.

Some varieties of mountain camellia:

Camellia grijsii

Camellia care

In the room, the camellia grows, blooms and even bears fruit if it is provided with proper care.

Lighting. Camellia prefers bright, diffused light and is suitable for growing near windows with western and eastern exposure. At windows with southern exposure, the plant is provided with shading from direct sun rays. Near northern windows, the plant may not have enough light for normal growth. To prevent the crown from being one-sided, the plant can be turned towards the light. Just under no circumstances do this during budding: disturbing the plant during this period will cause the buds to drop.

In summer, the plant can be placed outdoors, in a place protected from direct sunlight.

Temperature. In the spring-summer period, Camellia prefers air temperatures around 20-25°C. For the formation of flower buds, a temperature of 18-20°C is required, and during flowering in December - February, on the contrary, 8-12°C. At higher temperatures, flowering occurs earlier, but the quality of the flowers will be worse, and there is a risk of buds falling off. With short daylight hours, the formation of flower buds can also occur at a temperature of 8-10°C.

Camellia needs access to fresh air.

Watering. In summer, camellias are watered evenly and abundantly; after the top layer of substrate dries, you should not overwater the camellias. When kept cool in winter, to avoid acidification of the soil, water carefully. As a result of soil acidification, the leaves turn brown and the flower buds fall off. Plants lose their leaves due to prolonged drying. The plant does not tolerate well increased content calcium in the water, so it should be watered with soft, settled water.

Air humidity. Camellia prefers high humidity air, it is advisable to regularly spray it with soft, settled water, place pots with plants on pallets with wet expanded clay or peat. During the flowering period, spray carefully, avoiding moisture on the flowers.

Fertilizer. Once every three weeks, camellias are fed with complete mineral fertilizer at the rate of 1 g/l. Feeding is carried out all year round.

Features of cultivation. Camellias are short-day plants, and 12-14-hour daylight hours are optimal for the formation and normal development of flower buds. To set flower buds, adult plants also require a temperature of 18-20°C; When growing in conditions of low positive temperatures and in a shaded place, flower buds are not formed. During the flowering period (December-February), camellias are kept at a temperature of 8-10°C (12°C); at higher temperatures (18-20°C) there are premature flowerings, while the quality of the flowers is worse, and buds fall off; the latter is also observed when plants in the budding phase are moved to another place (affected by a change in light conditions). In areas with short daylight hours, flower bud formation can occur at temperatures of 8-10°C.

Trimming. In October-November, shoots are pruned to stimulate the growth of axillary buds.

Transfer. Young camellias are replanted annually. Plants that bloom annually are replanted every 2 years. Transplantation is carried out in the spring, at the same time the tops of the shoots are pinched so that the plant branches better.

The soil. For camellias, acidic soil (pH 4.5-5) is preferred. Of many subtropical plants, camellias have a unique ability to grow in acidic soils with a pH of 4 or lower. The composition of the substrate can be as follows: turf - 1 tsp, peat - 2 tsp, heather or leaf - 2 tsp, sand - 1 tsp. Potted plants are rarely replanted, but annual addition of soil and fertilizing are necessary. The bottom of the container provides good drainage.

Reproduction. Camellias are propagated by fresh seeds and cuttings.

Seeds are sown one at a time in 5-7 cm pots or boxes, then in the phase of two leaves they are planted in pots.

If you want to grow a varietal plant, you should propagate vegetatively - by cuttings, since when propagated by seeds, varietal characteristics are lost. In ornamental gardening, camellia varieties are especially valued, so they are propagated vegetatively in order to preserve the characteristics of the variety.

Ornamental camellias are most often propagated by apical non-lignified cuttings 6-8 cm long in a propagation box at a soil temperature of 20-24°C in January and July. The substrate for planting cuttings is made of sand - 1 tsp. and peat soil - 1 hour... Cuttings are cut with 3-5 developed leaves. They take root within 50-60 days (especially summer ones). Caring for cuttings consists of watering and spraying. Due to the long rooting period, it is advisable to soak the cuttings in a heteroauxin solution and then periodically water them, however, even in this case, rooting may be extended. Rooted cuttings are planted in 7-centimeter pots. Composition of the earthen mixture: leaf - 2 parts, peat - 2 parts, turf - 1 part, sand - 1 part; pH 4.5-5. Vaccinations are carried out on 1-2 year old camellia seedlings, sometimes on rooted cuttings. Water abundantly, then reduce watering to promote ripening of the wood.

Poorly rooted varieties are propagated by grafting, mainly in January, with developed buds from the top of the shoot. Vaccinations are kept at a temperature of 18-20°C. Germination is observed after 2 months. Caring for young plants consists of watering, spraying, shading from the bright rays of the sun (as leaves with burn spots fall off), creating air humidity and pruning shoots. In the 2nd year of culture, the plants are transplanted into 9-11 cm pots. The substrate is the same.

In the 3rd year of cultivation, the plants are transferred to 11 - 14 cm pots. The earth mixture is made up of turf - 2 parts, peat - 2 parts, leaf soil - 2 parts, heather - 2 parts, sand - 1 part.

Possible difficulties

As a result of soil acidification, the leaves turn brown and the flower buds fall off.

appear on the leaves brown spots as a result of burns from direct sunlight (especially in summer).

The main reasons for the failure of an amateur trying to grow camellia at home: low air humidity, lack of light, high temperatures and unsuitable soil composition.

Plants lose their leaves due to prolonged drying.

From a lack or excess of moisture, camellia can shed its leaves.

Damaged

The main reasons for the failure of an amateur trying to grow camellia at home:

— low air humidity;
- lack of light;
- high temperatures;
- unsuitable soil composition.

Camellia in history

The first written mention of camellias dates back to the 1st century AD, when the governor of the province of the island of Kyushu dealt with the leader of a gang of criminals using a club made from camellia wood. Therefore, this part of Kyushu is called Tsubaki after the Japanese name for Camellia japonica, and the battle site itself is called “Bloody Field”. The name reflected the fact that wild Tsubaki flowers are bright red, and the first in history White flower This species appeared only in the 7th century and aroused such interest that it was even brought to show to Emperor Tenmu.

The culture of camellia cultivation in Japan experienced several periods of decline and prosperity. In the 11th century, camellias lost popularity; interest in them awakened only during the Muromachi period (1333-1568), the era of the formation of the traditional style of the Japanese garden. Breeding camellias became one of the occupations of the samurai class. In addition to Tsubaki, Sazanka (Camellia sasanqua), an autumn-blooming mountain camellia, was popular. It is smaller in size than Tsubaki, but it blooms more profusely and has a flower of a more asymmetrical shape, and easily tolerates open sun.

Throughout history, camellias have represented cultural symbols with often opposing meanings. At first, the Tsubaki camellia was one of the symbols of the sun goddess Amaterasu, and during the ban on Christianity in Japan, it also became a symbol of Jesus Christ for Japanese Catholics, who were forbidden to wear a cross.

To this day, the Catholic Church in Nagasaki is decorated with an ornament of Tsubaki flowers. Initially, this camellia was also a symbol of longevity. And in the 15th century, a belief arose that a samurai who touched it would be beheaded. The explanation for this belief is that the Tsubaki flower falls to the ground as a whole, like a severed head, and does not rain down petals, like Sazanka.

Members of the Japanese Higo Camellia Society believe that this superstition was part of the “black PR” of some samurai clans against others. Even stranger, in America in the 19th and 20th centuries, members of the racist Ku Klux Klan organization used the Japanese camellia as a symbol of the white race and called themselves the Knights of the White Camellia.

Contact with America - the arrival of Commodore Perry on the islands in 1858 and the subsequent opening of Japan to the world caused a decline in interest in camellias in Japan, as the Japanese quickly began to copy everything Western, from Western roses to warships. With the destruction of feudalism, many samurai, who were the guardians of the culture of growing camellias, lost their collections, and the younger generation began to perceive camellias as flowers for cemeteries. It was only a century later, in 1958, that a group of flower growers in Kyushu decided to revive the tradition of Higo, the flowers of the Kumamoto samurai clan. They found about a hundred varieties, many of which grew on ancient graves. Thanks to the enthusiasm of this group, as well as the Italian florist Franco Ghirardi, Higo camellias spread throughout Europe and the United States. This flower perfectly conveys the Japanese taste, based on simplicity, asymmetry and closeness to nature. Traditionally, Higo is grown as a bonsai, although Higo enthusiasts in Europe also grow them as regular-sized camellias.

Medicinal and other beneficial properties of Camellia sinensis

Tea seeds in Japan and China are used to obtain fatty oil. Refined oil is used for food, while unrefined oil is used for technical needs.

Camellia sinensis in medicine

A significant part of the leaves and branches of tea, cut when caring for tea plantations (during molding), as well as tea dust generated in tea-packing factories, are used as raw materials for the factory production of caffeine and theophylline alkaloids. Caffeine is important medicine. It has a stimulating and tonic effect on the central nervous system, improves mental and physical activity, is a diuretic and a remedy for migraines. Theophylline is used as a means of improving coronary circulation and as a diuretic for circulatory disorders of cardiac and renal origin. Tea alkaloids are included in a number of drugs (aminophylline, diuretin, etc.) used for coronary insufficiency, hypertension, bronchial asthma, angina pectoris, cardiac edema, etc.

In addition, a complex of catechins with P-vitamin activity is obtained from old tea leaves and tea dust, which is used for disorders of permeability and increased fragility of blood vessels, hemorrhagic diathesis, hemorrhages in the retina, radiation therapy, hypertension, etc. Due to the presence of caffeine and tannins substances, the tea drink and the isolated alkaloid caffeine are used as an antidote for poisoning by poisons, narcotic substances and alcohol.

Along with black, so-called long tea, green tea is widely consumed. Green tea is less aromatic, but physiologically more active. Experimental studies have found that green tea has antimicrobial properties. Its decoction was proposed to treat dysentery. It is also indicated for whooping cough, enterocolitis and dyspepsia. In combination with other drugs, it stimulates hematopoiesis, increases elasticity and reduces the permeability of the walls of blood vessels, and has an anti-radiation effect.

In folk medicine, strong tea compresses relieve pain and heat from sunburn and inflammation of the eyelids.

Camellia sinensis in cooking

From tea leaves, through complex processing, the well-known dry tea is obtained, which is used to prepare a tea drink. The most important components tea drink (tea) are tannins, caffeine and essential oil. These substances determine the taste, color, aroma and medicinal properties tea. Tannins and catechins give tea a bitter and astringent taste, and essential oil gives a subtle fragrant aroma. The invigorating effect of tea is due to caffeine.

The ways of drinking tea are unique. In Central Asia, slab tea is used to make a stew with salt, fat and milk (sometimes sheep's blood is added). In Central Asia, in some places they drink green tea with salt, in Tibet - with the addition of rancid oil. In England and many regions of Russia, they prefer a strong infusion of tea, diluted with milk or cream.

Chemical composition of Camellia sinensis

The leaves contain 9-36% tannins, including up to 26% soluble and up to 10% insoluble, resins, nucleoproteins containing iron and manganese. The composition of soluble tannins includes gallocatechin gallate, L-epiatechin gallate, L-epigallocatechin, L-gallocatechin gallate and L-epicatechin, free gallic acid and other substances. Also found in the leaves are alkaloids - caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, xanthine, adenine, hypoxanthine, paraxanthine, methylxanthine, isatin and other organic bases. Flavonoids were discovered - kaempferol, kaempferol 3-rhamnoglycoside, quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, rutin, etc.

The stems, roots and seeds contain steroidal saponins. The seeds contain 22-25% fatty oil, 30% starch and sterols - stigmasterol and β, γ-sitosterol, up to 8.5% protein.
The leaves also contain coumarins, vitamins - ascorbic acid (more than 0.230%), thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, phylloquinone, nicotinic and pantothenic acids, essential oil.
Part essential oil from fresh unfermented leaves (yield 0.007-0.014%) includes hexene-3-ol-1 (66%), methyl alcohol, hexene-2-al-1, isobutyric and isovaleric aldehydes, acetic, propionic, butyric, n-capronic and palmitic acid, salicylic acid methyl ester.

Fermented green leaf oil (yield 0.003-0.006%) consists of β, γ-hexenol (25%), n-hexanol, methyl alcohol, n-octyl alcohol, geraniol, linalool, citranellol, benzyl alcohol, phenylethyl alcohol, secondary alcohols, butyl-isobutyl and isovaleric aldehydes, hexene-2-ala-1, benzaldehyde, acetophenol, n-hydroxybenzalacetone, cresol, phenol, acetic, butyric, caproic, salicylic and phenylacetic acids and methyl salicylate.

The components of black tea oil are as follows: citronallol, geraniol, linalool, secondary terpene alcohol, benzyl, phenylethyl, butyl, isobutyl, isoamyl, hexyl, octyl and 3-methylbutyl alcohols, aldehydes (capronic, isovaleric, benzaldehyde), propionic, isovaleric, caprylic and palmitic acids, esters of these acids, cresols, quinoline, methyl mercaptan, methanesulfonic acid, 2-acetylpyrrole, methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethylamines, ethylamine, n-propylamine, etc.

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Grows mainly in the Asian region, where a subtropical climate prevails. It is grown to decorate an apartment or garden plot, as well as for making homeopathic remedies. Despite the rather capricious nature of camellia, by adhering to the rules of caring for the plant, in the future you can enjoy the look of luxurious buds.

Description and features

According to botanical taxonomy, this exotic plant, which has an evergreen crown and is ideal for growing indoors, belongs to the Tea family. They cultivate both tree and shrub forms of camellia, which are bred in order to obtain exquisite flowers or.

The soil must be fertile and loose. When planting, make sure that the root collar is not too deep. Garden camellias are watered regularly to keep the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged.

With the onset of spring, mineral and organic fertilizers intended specifically for this type of plant are added to the soil monthly. In the fall, using crushed bark and fallen leaves, the soil near the trunk is mulched and then covered with spruce branches. If winters are not severe, then there is no need for additional shelter. In northern regions, where frosts occur regularly, the base of the trunk and crown are covered with fibrous non-woven material.

Camellia (Camellia) is an evergreen plant belonging to the Tea family. This amazing flower was named after the Jesuit monk Camelius Georg Joseph, who first brought it to Europe. In the wild, the plant grows in tropical and subtropical zones in countries such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, China, on the islands of Java, and Sulawesi.

Surely the description of the camellia flower will be of interest to many florists. This beautiful plant is a shade-tolerant bush or tree, the height of which can vary from 2 to 20 m. Blunt or pointed leaves have a simple, elliptical, broad or oblong-ovate shape, a leathery structure, a glossy surface, and short petioles. They can be single or sequential. The length of the leaf plate is about 3 - 17 cm.

It is imperative to get an answer to the question of what a plant flower looks like. Camellia produces many single buds. The diameter of blossoming flowers with numerous stamens can vary from 1 to 12 cm. The petals are fused at the base. Their color can be pink, red, white, variegated.

Popular types of camellia

Modern breeders have developed numerous varieties and camellia hybrids, using different varieties of the plant as a basis.

Below are the most popular types.

Camellia japonica This variety is considered the most famous, often used in breeding activities for the purpose of breeding indoor flowers

. In the Land of the Rising Sun, this plant is revered on a par with the iconic sakura. The magnificent Japanese camellia flower (Camellia japonicaa) is cultivated as an indoor, greenhouse, and garden flower. It is often used as interior decor and for making bouquets.

Under natural conditions, the plant can have a height of 1.5 - 11 m. By caring for Japanese camellia at home, you can count on getting a tree-like shrub with stems up to 1 m long, blooming in November - January. Semi-double, double spherical flowers can have white, pink, red colors. In hybrid specimens, the petals often have a spotted or striped color. Flowers form in the leaf axils and cover the entire crown.

Camellia sinensis

This variety also has another name - tea bush. The leaves of the plant are used to produce green, black, and long tea. Dried flowers are components of various aromatic additives.

If you are interested in the question of where Chinese camellia (Camellia sinensis) grows, you can find out that the plant is industrially cultivated in many countries: China, India, Kenya, Japan, Georgia, etc. Our state is also engaged in the cultivation of tea camellia (Krasnodar region). Its cultivation indoors is quite rare.

Mountain camellia

Mountain camellia (Camellia sasanqua) grows naturally on the islands of Kyushu, Okinawa (Japan). In a cool room, it is fashionable to observe its flowering in the period November - February. The species is often taken as a basis when breeding indoor and garden varieties. The plant develops single buds or rosettes with 2 - 3 flowers. The red camellia flower looks very impressive; also, the petals can be white or pink.

This species is actively used in breeding cold-resistant varieties suitable for garden and greenhouse cultivation. The weakly branched shrub reaches a height of 1.5 m. Large flowers (8 cm in diameter) gradually bloom on it, the color of which can be snow-white, pink, dark red, burgundy. Saluen camellia (Camellia saluenensis) is considered the most unpretentious of the garden plants of its family.

Camellia oleifera

The cultivation of this evergreen tree, about 10 m high, is practiced in the Chinese mountainous regions. Large seeds of the Camellia oleifera flower are formed in a large fruit capsule. Single bisexual or paired axillary flowers are characterized by the presence of a white color.

Indoor camellia: cultivation and propagation

As practice shows, caring for a camellia flower at home, which is quite capricious, will be very successful if you follow a number of rules. Any gardener can master the skills of growing such a plant.

Requirements for location, lighting

To ensure that keeping camellias at home does not cause problems, you will initially need to decide on the most suitable place to install the pot with the plant.

For this purpose, it is worth giving preference to windows oriented to the west or east. Camellia also feels great in a winter garden, greenhouse, or on a glazed loggia.

An inexperienced florist caring for and propagating camellia flowers should take into account that the plant (especially in the first year after planting) does not like moving, turning the flowerpot, being exposed to direct sunlight, or being exposed to drafts.

Purchased or given as a gift new flower it is necessary to keep it in a shaded, cool room for 2 weeks, and then transfer it to permanent sunny place, where it will be ensured that the temperature is maintained not exceeding + 16 ° C.

IN summer time the plant is allowed to be displayed on Fresh air with obligatory shading. A beautiful camellia flower in a pot will demonstrate good growth and bud development in diffused light for 12 - 14 hours per day. During the cold season, it is worth providing the camellia with additional lighting.

Temperature regime for the plant

During the formation of flower buds, it is necessary to ensure that the temperature is maintained at + 5... + 6 ° C. The plant will demonstrate its best flowering at + 8 ... + 12 ° C. In the resting phase, camellia tolerates temperatures well from +20 ... + 25 ° C.

Organization of watering camellia

When deciding how to care for a camellia flower, you will need to ensure its regular watering using settled water. During budding and flowering, irrigation is carried out immediately after the drying of the upper soil layer is detected. It is very important to prevent water stagnation and soil acidification. During the dormant stage, you should get by with moderate watering.

To increase air humidity on hot days, it is recommended to spray the bush twice a day. Adding water to the pan also works well. It would be justified to place the pot in a container filled with moistened gravel, moss, sand or pebbles.

The plant likes acidified water lemon juice, vinegar. If there is a lack of moisture, the bush can shed its leaves. Excessively abundant irrigation can provoke a situation where the leaves and stems of camellia acquire a brown tint. Subsequently, the plant’s flowers and buds may fall off. If the situation is not corrected, the flower will die.

Soil quality for crops

Camellia is very demanding on soil quality. It feels best when planted in acidic soil with a pH level in the range of 3 - 5. The use of soil substrate for azaleas has worked well. Self-preparation of the soil mixture involves the use of turf (1 share), sand (1 share), peat (2 shares), leaf soil (2 shares).

It is better to place the transplanted shoots in a flowerpot filled with a substrate with the following composition: sand (0.5 shares), peat (1 share), coniferous soil (2 shares). There must be drainage at the bottom of the landing tank.

Fertilizing Camellia

Camellia responds positively to organic fertilizers. During the autumn-spring period, monthly application of liquid fertilizers is practiced. During budding and flowering, this event is carried out 2 times a month. For camellia, it is advisable to purchase ready-made fertilizers suitable for orchids and azaleas.

Pinching and pruning the plant

In order to prevent the flowers from being crushed, the buds should be pinched, leaving a maximum of 2 copies on the branch.

In autumn, the plant is pruned. Damaged, weak shoots are removed. This activates the formation of axillary buds.

The procedure for transplanting into another pot

Camellia undergoes annual replanting during the first 3 years, and an adult, well-flowering bush - every 2 years. A similar procedure is carried out after the flowers have withered in spring or summer, while simultaneously pinching the apical sections of the shoots.

Camellia propagation in different ways

When propagating camellia flowers, it is advisable to give preference to the cutting method.

To obtain high-quality planting material, you need to trim the apical shoots that have formed during the current season. The recommended length of the cuttings is 6 - 8 cm, they should have 4 - 5 leaves. It is practiced to make an oblique cut over the axillary bud.

The optimal months for vegetative propagation of plants are January, July-August. It will take about 2 months for summer seedlings to root; winter ones will form a root system over a longer period.

The cuttings are planted in boxes filled with a mixture of peat (1 share), sand (1 share). The containers must be installed in a bright room, maintaining a temperature of + 20 ... + 23 ° C, moistening the soil by spraying. Sprouted specimens are placed in pots with a diameter of 7–8 cm.

Experienced flower growers practice growing camellia from seeds to simultaneously obtain large number young bushes. As part of this procedure, each seed is sown in a separate container. The appearance of 2 true leaves is a signal about the need to pick plants into larger containers.

It is worth noting that often flower shops can offer for sale a mixture of seeds of different varieties. In order not to later encounter a solution to the problem of how to care for camellia mix, you will first need to carefully read the information published on the packaging. The choice of planting material of a certain variety, hybrid, is considered preferable.

Garden camellia: care features

Experienced florists are confident that keeping a camellia flower in the garden is guaranteed to be not problematic for a person who has studied the appropriate agricultural techniques. A young plant is replanted in open ground conditions every two years; an adult plant is transferred to a new location every 5 to 7 years.

In landscape design, the Camellia garden climbing flower is mainly used. In regions with harsh winters, many low-growing varieties have been bred for growing in open ground. On the eve of frost, they are transplanted into flowerpots and transferred indoors.

Diseases, crop pests

Unfortunately, camellia in open ground, like indoor flower, often becomes the target of attack by pests such as aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, scale insects, spider mites, and thrips.

The appearance of a white, dense coating in the leaf axils and in areas of the stems indicates that the plant is infested with a scale insect. To get rid of the pest, you need to remove it with a cotton swab or toothpick, and then wipe the affected areas with a sponge dipped in a solution of laundry soap.

Due to aphids and scale insects, sooty spots begin to appear on the plant - the black camellia looks very unpresentable. Severely damaged specimens must be treated with specialized fungicides and insecticides. Blackened leaves must be removed.

Brown, gray spots on the leaves indicate fungal infection. Yellowed veins on the surface of the leaves indicate a mosaic virus. Having identified the disease in time, you need to urgently begin to treat the plant, since otherwise the decorative properties of the camellia will be lost for a long time, and sometimes the flower may even die.

Reward for patience and work