Japanese camellia belongs to a large genus of tea. There are about 80 species of this plant. They are evergreen shrubs or trees. They can grow up to 15 meters in height. Simple leaves are elliptical or ovoid, glossy, leathery to the touch; are pointed and blunt, grow singly, or 2-3 pieces. Petals have a large number of stamens, are pink, white, red, and sometimes variegated.
With proper care, Japanese camellia can not only grow and bloom well, but also bear fruit. To do this, she needs the right lighting. It is best to put it on a window on the west and east sides. Ideal - bright diffused lighting. For proportional growth of the plant, the pot with it should be rotated from time to time. But in no case should you do this when there are already buds - they can crumble. In the summer, it is good to keep the flower in the fresh air, while not exposing it to the open sun.
In summer and spring, air temperature is important (20-25 degrees). For the full formation of new kidneys, a temperature not exceeding 18 degrees is needed. During the flowering period, Japanese camellia requires even more coolness - 9-12 degrees. Atabove temperatures, the plant may even drop buds, and the decorativeness of the flowers itself may decrease.
Japanese Camellia loves abundant watering. But under no circumstances should it be flooded. It is advisable to use soft settled water. When the flower is dried out, the leaves may fall off. Moist air is also important for camellias - pots should be placed on a pallet with moistened expanded clay or pebbles. Spray the leaves with soft water, while you can not wet the flowers. It is necessary to feed the flower throughout the year - every three weeks. Mineral fertilizers total (grams of fertilizer per liter of water).
Young plants should be transplanted annually. If they bloom every year, then transplants are required every two years. The best time for this activity is spring. The soil mixture is made from peat, leaf, sod land and sand (2: 2: 1: 1). The container where Japanese camellia grows must have good drainage.
Reproduction of Japanese camellia can be done by seeds or cuttings. Seeds must be sown one at a time in five-centimeter pots. When 2 leaves appear in each of them, you need to move them to larger pots. When propagating in this way, traits of varieties may be lost. To avoid this, it is better to use cutting rooting of new pagons. In July and January, still non-lignified apical cuttings (6-8 cm) are taken. They put them in boxes. The temperature should be kept around 20-23 degrees. The soil mixture is equal parts of sand and peat. If rooted in the summer, the process may takeabout 2 months. If in winter - a little more. Containers with cuttings need to be watered and sprayed. When the roots take root, you need to transplant the cuttings into pots with a diameter of 7 cm. If the Japanese camellia takes root poorly, you need to propagate it by grafting. It is better to do this in January, using the developed buds from the tops of the shoots. After two months, the vaccinations will grow. It is important not to forget to water and spray them, as well as cut off the shoots. In the second year, transplant into 9 cm pots, and in the third year - into pots with a diameter of 11-14 cm.
Very beautiful plant camellia japanese care requires very careful. This is especially true for temperature and humidity. If you follow the above rules, you can grow a he althy and beautiful flower.
