Tips For Growing Camellias: Watering and Care
Camellias need to be irrigated regularly using the right quality of water. Avoid irrigating Camellias with hard water. Ideal water should be less than 13 degrees Clark . The water from the houses' mains is normally classified as 0-10 deg Clark - soft; 11-20 deg Clark medium and 21-38 deg Clark hard. The post will discuss about tips for growing camellias.
One thing you can do is contact the local authorities and find out how hard the water is before you use it to irrigate your Camellias. There is also special equipment that can be used to test the water hardness at home. Water harder the 13 degrees Clark needs to be softened using softening agents which solidify the lime contained in the water or filter it out. Do not boil mains water as this will prove lethal for the Camellia.
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Tips On Watering
You must not allow the camellia to be completely left to dry. The soil needs to be kept moist at all times as dry. The soil needs to be kept moist at all times as dry conditions result in the death of the Camellia so if you can’t keep up with constant watering it’s worth investing in a garden watering system. Further to this, Camellias growing in positions that are windy and sunny will require more water than those in shady positions.
The watering requirements are also dependent on the container the Camellia is growing in. the smaller the pot or container, the more watering is needed. You can use your finger to check the moisture of the soil.
If you dip it into the soil and you feel moist, then it means that you do not have to irrigate the plant. However if the finger comes out dry then you should irrigate the plant immediately irrespective of the time of day.
When watering plants, make sure that the plant does not remain waterlogged as this encourages the development of fungal disease.
Watering systems
You can employ watering systems to irrigate your Camellias plants. There are many different watering systems that can be purchased from garden centers that can be used to irrigate Camellias in pots and large containers.
Supplying Humidity
The majority of Camellias come from Asia , where the forests are misty and humid. When growing the Camellias indoors you have to simulate the conditions where the Camellias originated from. Winter temperatures should be kept at around 15`C as these temperatures do not result in moisture consumption in the air.
Humidity can be supplied by spraying the Camellias with mist spraying should not be done indoors in direct sunlight because the drops of water will cause serious burns on the camellia leaves. This rule applies to most indoor herbs or plants.
Alternatively you can use electrically operated room humidifiers, water containers standing near the plants, an indoor spring fountain or placing the Camellias near an aquarium.
Fertilizing Camellias
Do not fertilize Camellias all year round, they should only be fertilized according to their growth cycle. The ideal fertilizer should contain necessary nutrients and trace elements in the right quantities and amounts. Compound fertilizer and liquid fertilizer can be used, the latter being best because they are easily mixed with water before watering.
How to fertilize Camellias in pots and large containers
More Useful Info About Camellias
Camellias need to be transplanted when they have grown too large for their original pot they were growing in. Replant camellias grown in pots and small containers after every 2 years. However if the camellias are grown in larger containers then you do not have to transplant them after 2 years, rather than after 5 years or so.
The new container must have drainage holes to allow water to freely run off and prevent water logging.
The new pot must have a diameter 5 cm larger than the old pot. Do not report in a pot that is too large as this will result in the camellia forming fewer buds.
How to Transplant Camellias
Planting Camellias Outside
Camellias do not usually do well outdoors, except the hardy species and varieties which flourish in the garden. Plant camellias that are at least 4 years old and have woody resistant roots. They survive the winter cold and general outdoor weather.
Do not plant camellias sold in containers in the autumn outside. Only plant it during the summer.Spread a 20 cm thick layer of mulch, having well-rotted manure, compost or peat around the stem. This ensures that the plant does not dry out quickly.
Pruning
Pruning encourages the growth of the plant. It involves cutting back the buds and flowers of the caramel creating a smart elegant appearance.
The camellias regenerate quickly especially when they are pruned in favorable climatic growth conditions. The camellias will produce new shoots which reach a length of about 1 m within a year.
