A flower similar to camellia. Camellia flowers: photos of how to care for at home, reproduction and pruning, transplanting and growing. Temperature regime for the plant

1. Growing temperature: even during the period of active growth, the camellia should be kept in cool conditions - at a temperature of 7 to 15 ° C. In autumn, the temperature of the content is further lowered and the plant should spend the winter months in a cold room with a temperature of 5 - 7 ° C.

2. Lighting: shading is possible on the hottest days, the rest of the time the direct rays of the sun can fall on the plants. Well lit location with lots of reflected sunlight.

3. Watering and humidity: dry the soil between waterings 1 - 2 centimeters deep, significantly reduce watering in the autumn - winter period. Humidity is high.

4. pruning: forming pruning is carried out after flowering, sanitary - as needed, with a sharp and sterile pruner or garden knife.

5. Priming: should have an acidic pH and good drainage, as well as a loose structure that allows not only water to pass through, but also air to the roots of plants.

6. top dressing: liquid mineral fertilizer for azaleas and rhododendrons every 2 weeks in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, the camellia is not fed.

7. reproduction: Camellia is propagated by seeds or apical cuttings, grafting.

botanical name: Camellia.

Camellia flower - family . Tea rooms.

Homeland of the plant where the camellia grows. Japan, China, Korea.

Description. Camellia - what is this flower? The genus contains magnificent shrubs with numerous branched stems bearing shiny, dark green, leathery leaves up to 10 cm long. Leaf blades have slightly serrated edges.

buds appear on the tops of young one-year-old shoots and in the axils of the upper leaves. Flowers large, similar to roses in shades of white, pink, crimson, yellow, simple, semi-double and double, solitary or in small inflorescences, each up to 15 cm in diameter.

Varieties with two-color petals that have stripes and strokes have been bred. Each flower stays open for a week.

It is interesting that the period of active growth occurs after flowering - large buds located on the tops of the shoots near the buds begin to grow.

Height. Most species reach 3 - 4 m. in height, however, when grown in room culture, their sizes become more modest, and, moreover, are regulated by pruning. Homemade camellias develop slowly.

2.9.Ground

Camellias need moist, well-drained, loose soil. high in organic matter and acidic pH about 4 - 5.5. Soil that has a strong alkaline reaction can kill the plant and, in any case, cause the appearance of chlorosis.

For growing a bush, a mixture of fertile garden soil with soddy and light leafy soil, with peat and sand is suitable. For acidification, finely chopped pine needles can be added to the soil.

Also for planting, you can use ready-made soil for azaleas and rhododendrons.

2.10. Fertilizer

Every 2 weeks, starting from the formation of the first buds until the beginning of flowering, the camellia is fed with fertilizers with a high content potassium at half concentration. During the dormant period, feeding is stopped.

Also, fertilizers should be applied after flowering, since it is at this time that active growth occurs.

Fertilizers for rhododendrons are used for top dressing - camellias are very sensitive to excess salts in the soil.

Plants are very fond of organic top dressing and acidic fertilizers.

2.11. Spraying camellia

Air humidity must be high.

You can regularly spray foliage with soft water, but it is better to place the plant pot on pallet with wet pebbles or use room humidifier.

Near the plant, you can place a pallet with wet sphagnum moss- evaporating, the water will naturally moisten the atmosphere around the bush.

When spraying, do not get on flowers and buds - water will spoil their appearance.

In general, it is worth observing the rule - the higher the air temperature, the higher its humidity should be.

Camellia does not like cold drafts, but prefers well-ventilated areas with good air movement.

2.12. Purpose

Camellias can be grown as attractive flowering miniature bonsai trees.

2.13 Note

At good care camellia can live a very long time in room conditions. In nature, there are specimens whose age is approximately estimated at 500 years.

camellia flowers - a symbol of cold and very attractive female beauty capable of breaking men's hearts.

In Japan, the plant has become fidelity symbol subject to his master until his death.

drooping flowers are considered a symbol of modesty, while the buds looking up symbolize the desire for the high.

2.14. Outdoor cultivation

does not tolerate long and severe frosts, therefore, in open ground, plants are successfully grown only in the south of Russia - in the Krasnodar Territory.

For cultivation, a location is selected that will be protected from strong gusts of wind and direct sunlight during the daytime.

To the bottom planting holes lay out drainage in the form of expanded clay or gravel.

Plants are planted in such a way that their root neck is slightly above the soil level.

The earth around the bush is rammed and the camellia is watered abundantly.

The base of the plant stem is necessary mulch fallen leaves, straw or sawdust - this will delay the development of weeds and reduce the evaporation of moisture.

Further care of the plants will consist in timely watering, fertilizing and loosening the earth.

If frosts occur in the region in the winter months down to -5 -10 degrees Celsius, then the base of the plant is covered with a thick layer of mulch, spruce branches or fallen leaves before the onset of winter, and a shelter is organized in the form of a non-woven material.

Hydroponics.

3.Grades:

3.1.Japanese camellia - Camellia japonica

The most common subspecies of camellia. In its natural habitat, the plant can reach a height of 1.5 to 5 - 11 m. The leaves are glossy, green, lanceolate, leaf blades are hard, young leaves have a burgundy-copper hue. The flowers are pink, white or red, often double, the diameter of the flowers varies from 5 to 12 cm. The flowering period begins in the spring and lasts 3 - 4 weeks.

Unfortunately, this capricious beauty is almost impossible to grow at home - she cannot stand stuffy and warm rooms.

a very delicate plant with large, double flowers of a pale pink hue, the main distinguishing feature of which is that the petals, gradually decreasing in size towards the center of the flower, are arranged one after another in even rows.

3.3. Chinese camellia - Camellia sinensis

Large flowering shrubs, from the upper leaves of which we all get the familiar tea. In nature, plants are able to reach a height of 10 m. The leaves are green, lanceolate, glossy, hard. The flowers are creamy yellow, medium-sized - reach a diameter of 3 - 4 cm, with 7 - 8 rounded petals and large orange stamens.

Plants are evergreen shrubs with large, single red or pink flowers up to 2.5 - 3 m high. Flowers have a large number of bright yellow stamens, can be simple and double. The diameter of the flowers varies from 3 to 10 cm, among this subspecies there are many varieties with flowers that do not emit fragrance. Among all varieties, this camellia has the smallest leaves. Leaf blades are dark green, glossy.

On the basis of these plants, modern frost-resistant varieties have been developed that can be grown in open ground.

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Home camellia is a beautiful oriental beauty, similar to a luxurious rose. Beautiful buds look gorgeous against the background of dark green foliage, but in order to admire the plant, you need to properly care for it. Camellia has won the love of flower growers due to the fact that in addition to the decorative properties of the bud, its leaves are used as tea leaves.

The most common varieties of camellia

Camellia (camellia) has been known since the time of the Japanese samurai. Interest in a bright flower has not faded so far. Proper cultivation of camellias at home guarantees lush flowering in the winter. There are such types of flowers:

• Camellia oleifera is an oil-bearing evergreen tree up to 10 m high, which is conveniently located along the river banks and in the wooded area of ​​China at an altitude of about 500-1400 m above sea level. seas. Often they are grown specifically in order to extract healthy oil from seeds. Flowering occurs from September to the second half of October with luxurious snow-white flowers. After that, seed boxes appear, and you can collect seeds from them.

• Camellia sinensi is a Chinese tree with fragrant buds up to 10 m high. It begins to bloom in August, and in October three-leaved, slightly flattened boxes appear in place of the flowers. Due to the fact that its foliage is brewed as tea, the plant has received a second name - the tea bush.

• Camellia japonica - this beauty grows up to 15 meters. Lives in Korea, Japan and China. Abundant flowering lasts from December to April. Flowers are terry, simple and semi-double, reaching a diameter of 4 cm.

• Camellia sasanqua is a mountain camellia native to the islands. Bushes about 5 m high with thin branches and slightly red shoots. Fragrant flowers of white, pinkish and red shades appear from November to the end of January.

Habitual in the middle latitudes of Europe, garden camellia and home varieties common among our compatriots were bred on the basis of the Japanese variety.

How to care for homemade camellia

To grow a room camellia, you should study in detail the conditions that a capricious flower prefers. Even a slight deviation from the norm can cause it to start shedding leaves and flowers.

Important! This flower is not for the lazy, so be prepared to pay due attention to the care of indoor beauty.

Proper lighting

Indoor flower requires certain lighting:

• The best place for breeding perennials is a well-lit conservatory. The flower prefers lower temperatures during the colder months.
• The optimal brightness of lighting is at least 3000 lux, and the required daylight hours are at least 12-14 hours. That is why in winter the flowers need to be illuminated. For these purposes, gardeners use phytolamps, which you can read more about. In the absence of the necessary light, the plant will not bloom.
• For camellia during the formation of buds, it is strictly forbidden to turn it relative to the light source. If you do not listen to this requirement, she will simply drop the buds.
• Camellia in the open field is also common, but even a flowerpot with a home flower can be safely taken out to the balcony or garden in the summer, as well as change its location. At the same time, the greens will not react in any way to a change in the place of cultivation.

Important! Saturated green foliage requires protection from direct sunlight on especially hot days. Therefore, the pot is best placed in a slightly shaded place.

Competent temperature regime

The camellia flower is winter-flowering, so the temperature of its cultivation, like many other flowers, is very different during the autumn-winter period.

• March-September - the temperature ranges from +20 to +25 degrees. As soon as the period of formation of flower buds begins, lower the temperature to the optimum +18 +20 degrees.
• December-February - the temperature is not more than +8 +12 degrees.

If the temperature is violated, you may experience such problems: the ovary will fall off or flowering will come much earlier, but the buds will be small and inconspicuous.

Camellia care involves the complete absence of drafts and the presence of fresh air.

How to water a plant

Camellia loves moisture, but this process also obeys clear rules.

• Watering cannot be called consistently plentiful or moderate. Throughout the year, the degree of required moisture changes several times. In summer, abundant watering, and in winter, moderate.
• The soil should not be allowed to dry out in summer, as the camellia may die. In winter, watering is prudent and accurate, since moisture evaporates very slowly at low temperatures. With excessive moisture, the flower may turn sour and die.
• Watering is carried out only with settled water. The liquid can be slightly acidified by dropping a few drops of vinegar into it.

Important! The flower prefers watering with settled water of medium temperature. Water rich in lime can kill the sprout.

• Set up a watering schedule. This will help you keep track of how often you moisturize. Landmark - the degree of drying of the earth. If, according to the schedule, the watering time has come up, and upper layer soil is still wet, set aside moistening for a few days.

Optimum indoor humidity

The flower does not tolerate dry air in the room where it grows. You can ensure optimal humidity in the following ways:

• Place a saucer of water next to the pot. The liquid will gradually evaporate, providing the plant with comfortable conditions. How to humidify the air in the room in other ways, you can read.
• Install a humidifier in the room to maintain the desired level of humidity.
• Spray the leaves regularly, especially in summer. Be extremely careful during the budding period. Moisture should not fall on the flowers.

How to fertilize correctly

In the summer, the plant does not require active feeding, but for harmonious development, it should still be carried out. For these purposes, buy a special mineral fertilizer, and in the absence of it, a substrate for roses or liquid dressing for azaleas will do. Apply fertilizer according to the instructions no more than 1 time per month. During the flowering period, increase feeding up to 2-3 times a month. Before fertilizing, be sure to pay attention to expiration dates. Delay can only harm the pet.

Japanese beauty transplant

Perennial requires systematic transplants. The frequency of changing the pot depends on the age of the plant.

• Replant young flowers every spring. Each time take a container with a large diameter. When transplanting, the soil changes completely, while the neck of the flower should not be covered with earth. This is dangerous for the plant, and can lead to its death.

• Mature plants change the pot every 3 years. But the top layer changes every year.

• If a perennial grows in a tub, then it is not transplanted, as it is very difficult. In addition to inconvenience, you can cause irreparable harm to the plant. Therefore, it is enough just to change the top layer of soil. This will reduce the risk of disease and stimulate the development of buds.

Reproduction of room camellia

Plant propagation occurs in several ways:

• Seeds. Gardeners are not very fond of this method, as it does not preserve the quality of the variety. Some individuals have seed pods. These seeds are transplanted into a container with a nutrient substrate and grown until the first leaves appear, after which the sprouts dive into different pots.

• Cuttings. The most popular way to maintain the quality of varieties. It is better to cut off the upper parts of ripe shoots. Their length varies from 3 to 8 cm. The cuttings are placed in diluted heteroauxin. After that, the cuttings are moved to a box filled in half with peat and sand. Planting is left at a temperature of +20 +23 degrees until rooting.

• Grafting. This method is considered very time consuming, and is extremely rare at home.

What problems do gardeners face?

How to care for camellia depends on its flowering. Errors in care are the main cause of disease and plant death.

• If the foliage falls, then you make mistakes with watering.
• Withered leaves - the plant lacks nutrients.
• If, as in the photo, brownish spots have formed on the leaves, then remove the pot from the windowsill as soon as possible. These are signs of sunburn.

• Poor flowering is a sign of soil acidification.
• In the event of an attack by a scale insect, tick or aphid, it is necessary to treat the foliage with special preparations, or with an ordinary soapy solution.

The video below clearly shows how to grow a camellia and make it the queen of the winter garden. Have you had any experience in breeding camellias? Write about the most important, in your opinion, in this process to readers.

My friend grows the most beautiful flower! At first I thought it was a rose, but no, it turned out to be a camellia. Never heard of this plant before. I decided to find out how it feels at home, whether it is demanding on lighting and soil.

A friend said that the flower is "naughty." It should receive a sufficient amount of light, but not be exposed to direct sunlight. Suitable soil and fertilizers should be selected for it. I liked the camellia so much that I decided to learn how to grow it properly. And here's what my friend told me.

Camellia, a representative of the tea genus, grows in the tropics and subtropics, it is also common in Russia, Europe, Asia, Japan and Korea. The leaves of this ornamental crop are ovate, leathery, depending on the variety, can be simple or pointed.

Red, pink, white varieties are popular. Some flower growers prefer variegated. In the photo you can see the beauty of the plant.

Features of care

In order for the camellia to bloom for a long time at home, you need to properly care for it. If you are a beginner gardener and do not yet know how to care for a potted flower, listen to the advice of my friend.

Camellia lags behind in growth if it does not have enough light. For full-fledged photosynthesis, home culture needs light and moisture.

It is recommended to spray not only the plant itself, but also the air around it. It is important to choose the right soil mixture, we will return to it later. A friend advises placing the camellia in the east or west. The plant prefers bright but diffused light. If placed in the south, it will suffer from direct sunlight.

Periodically, you need to turn the pot, so the home culture will develop proportionally.

Be careful: the buds should not crumble! In the hot season, it is necessary to take the plant out into the fresh air (only in the morning and evening). Remember that direct sunlight is harmful.

1. In spring, camellia develops well at temperatures from + 19 to + 26 degrees.
2. In order for the plant to form buds in a timely manner, at the beginning of spring, as well as in autumn, the air temperature should be from + 16 to + 18 degrees.
3. The recommended temperature in winter is from + 9 to + 12 degrees.

A flower growing in unfavorable conditions drops buds. Camellia should receive a sufficient amount of air, a draft is harmful to it. We recommend watering the plant as the soil dries up. Be careful not to get water on fragile buds.

For irrigation, it is better to use soft settled water. To provide the plant with additional nourishment, you need to place the pots on a tray with wet expanded clay.

Fertilization, soil for camellia

I advise you to feed the camellia once every 22 days. She positively perceives mineral products: 1 g of such fertilizers is calculated for 1000 ml of water. To improve photosynthesis, you need to cut the camellia. It is advisable to carry out the procedure at the end of autumn. Thanks to the adjustment, the kidneys grow better.

A home flower does not tolerate transplanting well, but it needs to be done every year. After picking, you can pinch the shoots. Camellia takes root in light fertile soil with a pH level of up to 5. I advise you to make a mixture of earth, sand and peat, taken in equal proportions.

Before planting a plant, it is necessary to lay drainage on the bottom of the pot.

Generative (seed) propagation and cuttings

For planting it is worth choosing compact pots. Seeds must be sown one at a time. When they germinate and turn into seedlings with two stronger leaves, you will need to pick (transplant into larger pots).

If you want the plant to retain its varietal qualities, propagate it with cuttings. In this case, seven-centimeter green cuttings are used. Reproduction is carried out in early July or late January. Planting material should have several strong leaves. Each cutting is determined in a box.

Planting material favorably develops at an air temperature of + 22 degrees. Experienced flower growers use a soil mixture of sand and peat taken in equal proportions. If reproduction is carried out in summer, the cutting will take root for 50-70 days, in winter - up to 90 days. We recommend not only watering, but also spraying plants.

In order for the planting material to take root faster, it is necessary to place it in a heteroauxin solution. Don't forget to water the plants. When they form roots, transplant into separate containers. Make a soil mixture of peat, sand, leaf and sod soil, taken in the same proportions.

Diseases, pests, possible problems when growing

If the potting mix turns sour, the plant will drop buds and its leaves will turn brown. It is important to protect the culture from direct sunlight, otherwise burns will appear on the leaves in the form of brown spots.

Water should be added on time, otherwise the plant will die!

This plant is not susceptible to disease, but if the air is too dry, it attacks spider mite. Insecticides are used to control pests.

We met a very beautiful plant. Care and cultivation at home will not take you much time, but follow the important rules. The main thing is to moderately add water and avoid drafts! Provide your home culture with bright, diffused lighting.

Camellia is a well-known capricious, but very good! A spectacular crown of dark green leathery, as if varnished, camellia leaves with wonderful flowers of a rich palette of colors fits into any interior; the openwork tree is beautiful and without flowers. Florists are especially pleased that the abundant long flowering of camellia occurs in the darkest and coldest months of the year - from November to April. Elegant large flowers with dense "wax" petals are odorless.

Camellia (Camellia) of the Tea family is an evergreen flowering shrub or tree native to the subtropical zones of Southeast Asia. 80 species are known in the world flora; there are many cultural forms that adorn the gardens and parks of warm countries with their flowers. In the open ground most often grown camellia Japanese (C.japonica), mountain camellia or sasanqua (C. sasanqua), camellia mesh (C. reticulata); their decorative forms and varieties are very popular.

In cool greenhouses and rooms, especially valuable Japanese camellia and slow-growing, more stable mountain camellia with hanging shoots are grown. In closed ground, a camellia tree, with many years of caring care, can reach a height of four meters, becoming more and more magnificent every year. Breeders have created more than 1000 varieties of camellia with a variety of colors and shades of simple, semi-double and double flowers: pure white, pink, salmon, red; there are even variegated specimens (with contrasting spots, stripes or a border on the petals). The size of camellia flowers depends on the variety; usually their diameter ranges from 4-10 cm.

Camellia is considered one of the most difficult indoor plants to grow. She needs a cool and bright (but protected from direct sunlight) place, regular watering and spraying. Only for the laying of camellia flower buds, a high temperature (20-25 degrees) is needed; for ripening buds - no higher than 15 degrees; during the flowering period, the optimum temperature is 8-10 (not higher than 12) degrees. When watering and spraying camellias, lime water should not be used, only soft water is used. The soil in a camellia pot should be evenly moist; neither overdrying nor waterlogging of the substrate should be allowed.

In winter, camellia leaves and buds are sprayed daily (without moistening blooming flowers). Experts advise: after flowering, it is better to leave the camellia in the room and water it abundantly, and on open air(in a semi-shady place) expose only after the end of the new growth (in June-July). At the same time, the watering of the camellia sharply decreases: it is watered only after the beginning of the drooping of young leaves (to prevent the growth of new leaves and promote the establishment of buds). In the morning and evening, the camellia crown is sprayed. From the moment the formation of new shoots begins until the end of July, camellias need mineral and organic top dressing. In August, top dressing is stopped, which contributes to the laying of flower buds.

After the appearance of the buds, abundant watering of the camellia is resumed. It is recommended to leave 1-2 of the strongest buds at the end of each shoot, and remove the rest (at the same time, buds fall less, develop more beautiful flowers). In late summer - early autumn, camellia is brought into a cool, bright room and placed next to the window.
During budding, it is not recommended to move the camellia pot, this can cause the buds to fall off. The buds also fall due to drying out or waterlogging of the soil (stagnant moisture), from the use of hard water for irrigation. Camellia suffers too high temperature, from the dryness of the air in the room, from sudden changes in temperature - sheds not only buds, but also leaves.

Camellias are usually not pruned, if necessary, pruning is done before transplanting; cut cuttings can be rooted. Camellia is transplanted every 2 years after the end of flowering or in summer (but not later than the end of July). The substrate for camellias is made up of a mixture of: leaf, peat, sod, coniferous soil and sand (2:2:2:2:1); the soil must be acidic.

Camellia is propagated by apical cuttings (with olive-colored shoots); with lower heating, rooting takes 2 months. The cuttings are rooted in a mixture of equal parts of trophy soil and sand, or in pure sand.

It is necessary to regularly inspect the camellia and timely deal with pests: aphids, mealy and root bugs, scale insects. Various fungal diseases cause leaf spot in camellia.

Article "Camellia": addition and discussion

*** Camellia is a well-known capricious, but very good! ***
Camellia is not capricious, but she received a reputation for capriciousness due to attempts to grow it indoors without knowledge common mistakes(deep planting, warm winter, waterlogging, heavy earth mix, overfertilization).

*** A spectacular crown of dark green leathery, as if varnished, camellia leaves with wonderful flowers of a rich palette of colors fits into any interior; the openwork tree is beautiful and without flowers. ***
The color range of the most common camellias Camellia japonica, Camellia sasanqua and Camellia reticulata is between red, pink and white, although there is an almost yellowish Dahlonega and yellow wild Camellia chrysanta (Camellia nitidissima, discovered 20 years ago.

*** Florists are especially pleased that the abundant long flowering of camellia occurs in the darkest and coldest months of the year - from November to April. ***
This is true for Camellia japonica. But the species Camellia sasanqua (Japanese for "carp") blooms in my garden from early September to late January.

*** Elegant large flowers with dense "wax" petals are odorless.***
This is true for most varieties of most species. But some varieties of the species Camellia sasanqua have a faint tea smell. Wild Camellia lutchuensis has a fairly distinct smell. Some hybrids have been created based on C. lutchuensis. There are exceptions even among varieties of the Camellia japonica species, such as "Scentation".

*** Camellia (Camellia) of the Tea family is an evergreen flowering shrub or tree native to the subtropical zones of Southeast Asia. ***
Camellias grow in most of Japan and can withstand light frosts. In America, camellias grow even in the states of Oregon and Washington (not to be confused with the city of Washington, this is at the other end of the country), which are by no means subtropics, although the influence of the Pacific Ocean maintains a mild climate there. Hardy camellias grow in the city of Washington, although, for example, harsh winters 1977-1978 destroyed most of the camellias there.
The species Camellia sasanqua grows in southern Japan (near Hiroshima and Nagasaki) and on the islands of the Ryukyu archipelago. Reticulata (Camellia reticulata) grows in southern China.
In Europe, camellias grow in all Mediterranean countries, as well as in southern England, for example, in London.
Those. Camellias, of course, are rather subtropical plants, but they can also grow somewhat to the north. Camellias practically do not grow in tropical climates. When camellias grow in Thailand and similar places, they tend to grow in the mountains where it is cooler.

*** 80 species of camellia are known in the world flora ***
More than 200 species have already been found, if not 300.

*** There are many cultural forms that adorn the gardens and parks of warm countries with their flowers. In the open ground most often grown camellia Japanese (C.japonica), mountain camellia or sasanqua (C. sasanqua), camellia mesh (C. reticulata); their decorative forms and varieties are very popular. ***
C. sasanqua is called "sazanka" in Japanese, an archaic Japanese pronunciation of "sasanqua". The Americans call her "sasanka".

*** Especially valuable Japanese camellia is grown in cool greenhouses and rooms ***
I would not say that the Japanese camellia is "especially valuable." This is a stereotypical perception according to European taste. It's better to say "most common". There are many beautiful reticulata that grow in the monasteries of southern China, and there are also hobbyists like me who value carp more than C. japonica.

*** ...and the slower growing, more resistant mountain camellia with trailing shoots. ***
This is not clear where the assertion comes from. Camellia sasanqua is by no means "with hanging shoots". There are several varieties with hanging shoots, such as the variety "Tanya" (Tanya). Interestingly, this name has nothing to do with the Russian name "Tanya", but is a Japanese word for Japanese classical drama.
But most varieties of Camellia sasanqua grow into a straight shrub or tree.

*** Indoors, a camellia tree, with many years of caring care, can reach a height of four meters, becoming more and more magnificent every year. ***
There are camellias much higher. According to the seminal book Sealy, there are camellias 50 feet tall (more than 15 meters), although these are hundreds of years old in the open field.

*** Breeders have created more than 1000 varieties of camellia ***
The International Camellia Society indicates the figure of 32 thousand, although several thousand are actually used.

*** ... with a variety of colors and shades of simple, semi-double and double flowers: pure white, pink, salmon, red; there are even variegated specimens (with contrasting spots, stripes or a border on the petals). ***
There are wild yellow camellias.

*** The size of camellia flowers depends on the variety; usually their diameter ranges from 4-10 centimeters. ***
There are varieties of the species Camellia reticulata more than 20 centimeters in diameter, even without gibberellin treatment. And when processing buds with gibberellin, you can get even more.

*** Camellia is considered one of the most difficult indoor plants to grow. ***
Well, of course, because it's not indoor plant- in the room the central heating battery will kill her in winter.

*** She needs a cool and bright (but protected from direct sunlight) place ***
C. sasanqua can withstand any amount of sun, although C. japonica does require
penumbra.

***… regular watering and spraying. ***
Camellia in the open air can not be sprayed. California has very dry air, but this is not a problem for camellia (although, on the other hand, the ocean is relatively close).

*** Only for the laying of camellia flower buds, a high temperature is needed (20-25 degrees); for ripening buds - no higher than 15 degrees; during the flowering period, the optimum temperature is 8-10 (not higher than 12) degrees. When watering and spraying camellias, lime water should not be used, only soft water is used. The soil in a camellia pot should be evenly moist; neither overdrying nor waterlogging of the substrate should be allowed.***
This is all correct.

*** In winter, the leaves and buds of camellias are sprayed daily (without moistening the blooming flowers).***
See above.

*** Experts advise: after flowering, it is better to leave the camellia in the room and water it abundantly, and expose it to the open air (in a semi-shady place) only after the end of the new growth (in June-July). ***
I do not know under what conditions this advice was made.

*** ... at the same time, the watering of the camellia sharply decreases: it is watered only after the beginning of the drooping of young leaves (to prevent the growth of new leaves and promote the establishment of buds). ***
If the camellia is dried out in the summer, its roots will die from drying out. Although this is less tragic than waterlogging. Perhaps the advice was made for growing in relatively heavy soil that retains moisture for a long time. With the right light earth mixture, it is difficult to overmoisten the camellia.

*** In the morning and in the evening, the camellia crown is sprayed. From the moment the formation of new shoots begins until the end of July, camellias need mineral and organic top dressing. In August, top dressing is stopped, which contributes to the laying of flower buds. After the appearance of the buds, abundant watering of the camellia is resumed. It is recommended to leave 1-2 of the strongest buds at the end of each shoot, and remove the rest (at the same time, buds fall less, more beautiful flowers develop). In late summer - early autumn, camellia is brought into a cool, bright room and placed next to the window. ***
It is right.

*** During budding, it is not recommended to move the camellia pot, this can cause the buds to fall off. ***
It is a mystery to me where such an often repeated opinion in Russia came from. At the end of the laying of camellia buds, for example, they are transported to all states to be sold in stores. I've never seen buds drop from a rearrangement. During flowering, camellias are transplanted. From this, the buds also do not fall off, since during flowering (in winter) the plant is biologically in a dormant period.

*** The buds also fall off due to drying out or waterlogging of the soil (stagnant moisture), from the use of hard water for irrigation. Camellia suffers from too high a temperature, from dry air in a room, from sudden changes in temperature - it drops not only buds, but also leaves. ***
In general, correct, but what kind of sharp fluctuations in temperature are we talking about? My winter temperature fluctuates during the day from +5 Celsius at night to +15 during the day, often fluctuating more.

*** Camellias are not usually pruned, ***
Camellias are usually pruned after flowering but before spring growth begins. Many cut a third of the branches every two years. If desired, you can cut 2/3. Varieties of the species C. reticulata should be pruned very carefully and less. Carp can be trimmed even more than Japanese camellias.

*** ... if necessary, pruning is done before transplanting ***
It is really good to prune when transplanting camellias, as damaged roots may not fully feed the crown and some branches may dry out, especially if transplanted at the end of winter, and not at the beginning.

*** ... cut cuttings can be rooted. ***
This is certainly true, but if you want to root cuttings on a massive scale, then they need to be removed around July. This is how they do it in floriculture.

*** Camellia is transplanted every 2 years after the end of flowering or in summer (but not later than the end of July). ***
After the end of flowering, camellias begin to grow (in April). At this time, it is already too late to transplant. In July, the second wave of growth occurs, when it is also better not to transplant. Camellias are transplanted in winter. Although if the camellia is transplanted at another time, it will most likely survive. But a camellia transplanted in the middle of spring growth can stop and go into a bad state.

*** Camellia is propagated by apical cuttings (with olive-colored shoots); with lower heating, rooting takes 2 months. The cuttings are rooted in a mixture of equal parts of trophy soil and sand, or in pure sand. ***
In principle, cuttings can be rooted when they lose their olive color. 2 months cuttings take root in the summer. Autumn cuttings take much longer to root.

*** It is necessary to regularly inspect the camellia and timely deal with pests: aphids, mealy and root bugs, scale insects. ***
The worst one is the spider mite.

*** Various fungal diseases cause leaf spot in camellias. ***
But this is an interesting question. Sometimes spotted leaves and flowers (varigation) is a specially caused and relatively harmless viral infection, which is used to obtain decorative spotted flowers that the Japanese love. Infection is carried out by grafting onto an infected rootstock. Some cultivars are simply variegated versions of other cultivars. For example Waltz Time - pink, Waltz Time Varigated - pink with spots.

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What is camellia and where does it grow and how does it smell

To Amelia, - this wonderful in its form, in beauty, as if made of wax, the petals and smooth, shiny dark green thick leaves of the flower has some kind of lifeless appearance - as if artificially made plant.

It both seduces and repels at the same time.

Everyone considers him beautiful, but soulless - an emblem of coldness of feelings and callousness, an emblem of those beautiful, but heartless women who, not loving, lure, ruin and destroy young people and who therefore are called by his name.

This name, however, does not come directly from the flower, but from the heroine of the well-known novel by A. Dumas-son “The Lady of the Camellias”.

Who has not read this delightful work in his youth? Who was not fond of his heroine Marguerite Gauthier, did not admire her heroic selfless deed, when, loving a person with all her soul, she decides to part with him and run away only to calm his aged father, who begged her not to ruin her son's future?

Her severe illness that led to the grave, her touching death away from her loved one, whom she wanted to look at at least once again, make an amazing impression on the reader - especially since the novel is based on a true story in which, let's say, by the way, our flower played not the last role.

The real name of Marguerite Gauthier, as you know, is Marie Duplessis. She was an outstanding beauty, who was fond of all of Paris and who was known even to people who had nothing to do with her - by a bouquet of wonderful camellias, without which she never appeared in the days of the first performances in theaters.

At the same time, camellias were not always the same color. Twenty-five days in the month they were white and 5 days red. What was the reason for this, no one knew, and she remained a secret that Marie Duplessis took with her to the grave.

Marie Duplessis did not like any other colors and never wore them. Blooming camellias constantly cleaned all her rooms, and especially the boudoir.

Such a constant passion for these flowers made her florist, Mme. Bargy, call her "La dame aux camelias" (the lady with camellias) - so the whole secular Paris dubbed her. The nickname then passed to all rich beautiful women who captivate secular youth.

These flowers did not leave Marie Duplessis even after her death. Her entire coffin was strewn with camellias and overlaid with luxurious wreaths of them. The charm and beauty of this decoration had such an effect on the large audience gathered for the funeral, especially on the ladies, that for a whole year after her death, it even became fashionable among wealthy Parisians to go to the Montmartre cemetery to her grave and decorate it with bouquets, wreaths and flowering bushes. camellias. And one of her friends, who was absent during the funeral, wrote a poem in her memory and laid it on her grave, surrounding it with a garland of marvelous red camellias.

When this enthusiasm of the public began to cool little by little, then recovering from the terrible shock produced on him by the dying letter of poor Marie Duplessis, Armand Duval, the same young man, out of hopeless love for whom she tried to shorten her bitter life, covered her entire grave with camellias.

This grave was both in summer and in winter a parterre of camellias completely dotted with white flowers, among which only a small white marble slab was visible, on which her name was inscribed. The gardener who looked after the grave was strictly ordered to watch the flowers and, as soon as any of them withered, immediately, no matter what the cost, replace them with fresh ones.

Among the regular visitors to this grave was, as they say, Alexander Dumas himself, the son, and the touching novel he wrote made such a strong impression on the famous Italian composer Verdi that he composed the famous opera La Traviata based on its plot, which is still one of the most beloved in all countries and almost never leaves the stage.

About the appearance of the camellia on earth, we find in Mantegazza in his fairy tales about flowers the following original fantastic story:

“Once the god of love Cupid, who was bored with the love of the goddesses of Olympus and all earthly women, turned to his mother Venus with a request to find him a creature with whom he could be carried away.

Venus was surprised at first: how could he not find on earth among so many lovely mortals not a single one worthy of love, but then, thinking it over, she said:

“Well, if there is no woman on earth that you could like, then try it, fly to some other world, to another planet.”

Amur liked this idea very much, and without thinking twice, he immediately set off on his journey.

The planet he landed on was Saturn. At the moment when he sank down on her, a chorus of wonderful angelic voices was heard. These sounds rushed from a lovely transparent, blue, like a sapphire, lake surrounded on all sides by high, intricately indented ice hills, the banks of which were strewn with freshly fallen snow shining like silver.

There were no bright flowers or green leaves anywhere to be seen - everything was white as snow, and even the plants that grew right there on the shore, similar to ferns and palm trees, were as if made of ice and sparkled and shone with all the colors of the rainbow, as if showered with the dust of millions of the smallest diamonds.

Wonderful sounds rushed from the breasts of numerous beautiful women sitting among the ice rocks. These women were unlike any he had seen on earth. Their body was white, fluffy as snow, long silvery hair fell to their shoulders, and light blue eyes shone like sapphire.

Cupid was amazed. He had never seen anything like it. In addition, these original creatures did not even seem to notice the terrible cold that reigned around them.

These strange creatures sang:

“Praise be to You, Lord, great praise that You gave us a body of ice. Ice moderates all desires, calms passions and extinguishes any flame.

Great praise to the snow, the brother of ice. Hosanna to frost, to his son, Hosanna to the creator of ice, which makes the soul transparent and delays all decay. Hosanna to the enemy of death!”

Having sung these stanzas, the women lowered the ice harps that served them as an accompaniment and fixed their eyes on Cupid, who was as beautiful as anyone they had ever seen before. But his wonderful beauty had no effect on them. They admired him, seemed to be amazed by him, but they were not carried away. In vain, Cupid, grabbing a quiver of his miraculous arrows, began to shoot them at these lovely women. He spent them all, but not a single one struck their hearts: everyone remained cold to him like ice.

Then in despair he rushed again to his mother Venus, exclaiming:

“Mother, mother, where did you send me? Here everything is made of ice: both flowers, and trees, and even the very souls of women; they are not able not only to love, but even to be carried away. Such indifference deserves exemplary punishment. And from his impotence he wept and sobbed.

Then, outraged by such uncharacteristic women, heartlessness, Venus exclaimed:

“You are quite right, my son, calm down and do not be sad, these insensitive creatures are not worthy of being women, as a punishment, let them immediately descend to the ground and turn into flowers. »

And these lovely, but soulless creatures turned into camellias. Wonderful white, pink, bright red, they have neither smell nor tenderness. Not a single girl decorates herself with them, not a single clean young man wears them in a boutonniere ... "

Camellia is a Japanese flower and is called “yabu-tsubah” in Japan, and among the Chinese “son-tsfa” - “mountain tea”. Its homeland is the islands of Kyushu, Shikoku and some provinces of Japan, where it grows in the form of a large shrub or tree in the mountains 800 or more feet 1 above sea level and sometimes reaches 10 - 20 feet in height.

Its branches covered with wonderful, evergreen, non-falling leaves are used in Japan, according to folk custom, all year round to decorate graves in cemeteries. When the time comes for its flowering, a festival of lanterns is held in Japanese temples.

Then all the graves are covered with flowering branches of camellias and, starting in the evening, throughout the night, they are illuminated with small lanterns. This holiday lasts for several days, and at this time felled camellia trees are brought to the cities from the villages in bloom, like we have Christmas trees, and they are sold in the markets. This brings a significant income to the peasants.

It is remarkable that something similar is happening in some cities of southern Germany, especially on the Rhine, where on the day of remembrance of all the dead (November 2), graves in cemeteries are also illuminated at night with lit candles and cleaned with flowers blooming at that time. It is interesting to know how this ancient Oriental custom was transferred here, the purpose of which, both here and there, is to show symbolically the love of the living for the dear dead.

Trees and bushes of camellias are also planted in Japan in the groves surrounding temples, as well as in the gardens of wealthy people, and when during flowering these trees and bushes are covered with thousands of bright red, pure white, pink and variegated flowers made of wax, then the spectacle is indescribable. Particularly original are those trees that, by grafting different varieties on one tree (in which the Japanese are especially skillful), are covered with flowers of various colors and shades. Camellias cultivated in this way bloom a little later, but they bloom much longer.

Camellias are a favorite flower not only in Japan, but also in China. As a result, there is a constant exchange and trade between countries with new varieties of this plant, and not only gardeners, but also settlers in general are engaged in cultivating it on a large scale - they often have whole tithes on flat areas 2, occupied by nurseries of small camellia trees.

The development of camellia culture in these countries is greatly facilitated by the reigning fashion there, like ours, for the color and shape of camellia flowers: either large white, then small, then white, dotted with red stripes.

Camellia is cultivated here not only for its flowers, but also for its by-products. Oil is squeezed out of its seeds, which, mixed with laurel and geranium oils, is used to prepare the thinnest Japanese lipsticks; a decoction of its leaves, differing, like the leaves of tea camellia (C. sasanqua), with a remarkably pleasant smell, serves as an excellent elixir for washing hair, giving that wonderful shine and silkiness that is known to distinguish the hair of Japanese women; the bark of the roots is used as an excellent medicine for bloody diarrhea, and the hard tree itself is used for cutting and turning those small, elegant little things in the manufacture of which the Japanese and Chinese are so skillful; finally, old trees go directly to fuel, as is practiced, for example, in the southern provinces of Japan, and especially in Nagasaki.

Camellia was introduced to Europe in 1738 by a Jesuit monk, Father Joseph Kamel, who lived for a long time as a missionary in the Philippine Islands; from his name the plant got its name.

The first two specimens of this plant he brought were sold to the great London plant lover Lord Petra, who hastened to transfer these precious plants to his greenhouses in Soriden Hall. But his gardener did not know the living conditions of this plant in his homeland, he placed them in an overly warm compartment, and both trees died. Disappointed by the failure, this gardener named John Gordon decided to get the plant at all costs, to try to cultivate it in other conditions. His wish came true in 1740. This time he placed the specimens he received in a cold greenhouse and got a brilliant result. Camellia not only grew well, but also bloomed. It was a tea camellia (Cam. sasanqua) - the same one whose fragrant flowers are mixed into tea to enhance the aroma.

According to another version, the camellia bushes brought by Kamel were presented to the wife of the king of Spain, Ferdinand V, who, like the king himself, was delighted with the flowers. She immediately handed them over to the experienced gardener of her country palace Buen Retiro and ordered that every effort be made to preserve this plant and make it bloom.

The gardener really made an effort, and soon the gardens of Buen Retiro were filled with camellia bushes, which presented a marvelous picture during flowering.

But the king and queen so jealously guarded this novelty that they strictly forbade it from being taken out of Buen Retiro. The same opinion was shared by their heirs, so that the lovely flower, being in the palace gardens of Spain for more than 60 years, remained completely unknown to Europe.

The real decorative camellia (C. japonica) was obtained in Europe only in late XVIII centuries.

It was white as silver camellia. The first to receive it was the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. Delighted by this charming flower, she showed it to her husband, who also found it charming. The plant was transferred to greenhouses and soon grew there very quickly.

The first individual to receive it was Van Cassel, founder of the Royal Society of Agriculture in Ghent, Belgium. But he, hiding his treasure from all lovers for a long time in his huge hot greenhouse, was unable to breed it or ennoble it.

More happy was another Belgian lover - Van Westen, who brought this type of camellia to flowering.

The lovely flowers of the Japanese camellia brought all lovers into indescribable delight, and now everyone tried to somehow get a cutting of this marvelous plant and get it out.

About what terrible money amateurs had to pay for these cuttings, there is nothing to say. A wealthy baker in Ghent - Mortier, for example, bought up all the specimens of this plant that he could get, and, carefully studying the best methods of grafting, received several remarkable hybrids, of which a pink variety stood out, called "Maiden blush" (maiden's blood ).

Since then, the city of Ghent has become a supplier of camellias to all European countries and has remained so for more than 50 years.

The general fascination with this lovely flower was not long in being reflected in modern literature.

The Belgian poet Norbert Cornelissen, famous at that time, wrote in 1820 about the appearance of camellia in Europe a poetic tale under the playful title "On the fate of the camellia in Europe, a poetic joke."

The action takes place on Olympus, where the gods were distinguished by no less weaknesses and enthusiasm than mere mortals. Cupid gossiped about his mother Venus, who, having lost her temper, ordered the Graces, who played the role of his nannies, to flog him to the point of bleeding with rods of roses. Let him, she said, linger on the memory of inappropriate talkativeness.

Upon learning of the danger that threatened him, Cupid rushed headlong to the goddess Flora and began to beg her to either completely save him from such a shameful punishment, or at least somehow weaken him. Then Flora called Zephyr (light wind) to her and ordered he should fly to Japan as soon as possible and bring a Japanese rose from there.

You'll recognize her, she said, "now." Its branches are covered with lovely shiny emerald green leaves; the flowers are similar to the color of a wild rose and smell pleasant; but the plant is devoid of thorns, and he who tears it is not in danger of pricking his hands. The gods called her "Anacanthis" (devoid of thorns), and the people - "Sasanqua" (Sasanqua).

Without thinking twice, Zephyr set off and after a few hours brought the required plant. It was all richly covered with flowers. When Flora gave it to the Graces as a rod intended for Cupid, they smiled and, admiring him, adorned themselves with his flowers. But there was nothing to be done, it was necessary to begin to carry out the punishment, and they punished so gently that not the slightest scratch remained on Cupid's body.

Upon learning of this, Venus was terribly angry; but what was to be done? the naughty one was nevertheless punished, as she ordered, with rods of roses, but only the roses were without thorns. And so she transferred all her anger to the plant and deprived it of its wonderful smell and ordered it to grow always only in Japan.

And since then, this rose remained unattainable either for the Graces or for the Muses, until the Jesuit Kamel finally pulled it out of a heavy captivity. Having brought her to Europe, however, he could not return to her the already lost smell, and the wonderful flower remained forever deprived of this wondrous gift of the gods.

Camellia appeared in France in 1780 and was at first taken for a tea plant 3 . Its first copies in color were sent here only in 1800.

These copies were received by the first wife of Napoleon I, Empress Josephine, from the Dutch merchant and great lover of flowers, Van Gerd, in gratitude for the patronage of the Dutch trade. One plant had red flowers, another? white.

The following year, the same Van Gerd sent more of these plants to the Empress in her favorite botanical garden in the castle of Malmaison, and the Empress, who was fond of rare plants like a true lover, looked after them and took care of them like children. The camellias were beautifully received by her and every year they were abundantly covered with lovely flowers.

A few years later, at the gardener Courton in Paris, the camellias bloomed so magnificently that the whole city flocked to him to see them. They were huge trees, 25 feet high; the largest of them were presented to him by the Empress, who not only enjoyed the flowering of this plant herself, but also always tried to spread love for him among other lovers.

Distributing, however, her camellias to lovers, the Empress Josephine nevertheless kept the best ones for herself, and when, after her death, according to her will, all her property located in Malmaison was sold for the benefit of the poor, more than 20,000 francs were received for camellias, which for that time was a very impressive amount.

A great lover and admirer of camellias was also the famous singer Adeline Patti. At first she was very fond of red roses and wore them constantly on her head. But then, having received such a huge success in La Traviata, she changed the rose and remained faithful to the already red camellia.

She not only liked to pin it on her chest and decorate her hair with it, but she always appeared at the theater with a bouquet of camellias, and all the rooms of her luxurious premises during the flowering of camellias were often cleaned with whole flowering trees and bushes of this plant.

From France, the camellia was transferred to Germany, but for a long time it was considered a great rarity there, which is best shown, for example, by the price of a bouquet of camellias presented by Prince Henry of Prussia to his wife on the day of their marriage anniversary. The camellias of this bouquet, grown in the greenhouses of the Margrave of Baden, cost two chervonets apiece.

In the middle of the 19th century, camellias appeared in Russia, and above all, of course, in St. Petersburg. Countess Nesselrode was especially fond of them, in whose greenhouses a whole forest of them was collected. When these camellias were in bloom, the whole elite Petersburg.

In general, this flower enjoyed great love with us at first, and often, in order to decorate with it your ball gown, hairstyle or have a bouquet made from them, they spent 300 ? 400 or more rubles in one evening.

But the most important place for breeding camellias in Europe? Northern Italy, where in the town of Tremesine on Lake Como you can find entire forests of this plant. Their good growth and development is especially favored by the excellent local red-brown soddy soil.

The camellia trees growing here right in the air in a favorable climate reach enormous growth and, being covered in fabulous numbers with the most luxurious flowers, represent for tourists visiting this place one of the most charming pictures of nature that one can imagine.

The main flowering, depending on the weather, begins in mid-March or early April and lasts until May. And then the camellia forests are so abundantly flooded with their flowers, as cherry orchards we have in the spring. Camellias are propagated here not only by cuttings, but also by seeds that ripen in this fertile climate. Thanks to this breeding by seeds, a mass of hybrids is always obtained, and some of them are remarkably beautiful.

In addition, another, original breeding of camellias is carried out here; using leaves that are stuck directly into the ground.

As a rule, in other countries this kind of reproduction takes a rather long time, but in Tremesin, thanks to the excellent climate and the special dexterity of Italian gardeners, it moves very quickly.

In addition to obtaining new varieties of camellias by sowing random seeds, they can also be obtained, of course, as in all plants, with the help of special cross-pollination, ? with camellias this is especially easy to produce, since their pollen tends to keep fresh for an unusually long time.

Hagen in Ghent, who made a series of experiments on this, wore it in a piece of paper for 65 days and obtained very good results when pollinated; experiments have shown that it can retain its strength even for two years.

The main color of camellias, as you know, is white and bright red, but gardeners, having received all the shades possible between these two colors, were not satisfied with them and wanted by all means to achieve more yellow and blue. They partially succeeded in this: the yellow camellia was brought from China in 1860 by the English explorer Fortune. At first, this camellia did not bloom for a long time, but when it bloomed, it turned out to be a terry variety of Cam. sasanqua? and consequently, in terms of the size of the flower, it was far inferior to the Japanese. As for the blue camellia, despite all attempts, it remained in the realm of fantasy.

Thanks to these varieties of camellia, many of her fans appeared among gardening lovers? at one time they began to be almost as fond of it as in the old days? tulips. Merchants, of course, did not fail to take advantage of this opportunity to profit, and began to trade both imaginary new varieties and offshoots from them.

The famous French writer and at the same time a passionate lover of floriculture, Alphonse Carr, left a description of one process that took place in Paris regarding two such new varieties of camellias sent from America by one florist, for which the buyer, according to only their image sent, undertook to pay 11,000 francs . However, when specimens of these varieties arrived and bloomed, it turned out that the drawings were far from true, and then the gardener who wrote them out refused to pay this huge amount. A lawsuit began, but the court sided with the American, and the gardener had to satisfy the claim.

Meanwhile, the magazines wrote so much about it and the public became so interested in these flowers that when these plants were exhibited in full bloom in the winter garden in the Champs Elysees, all Paris rushed there to see them.

Then the quick-witted gardener doubled the entrance fee and sold these flowers at a high price and got over 4,000 francs for them, so that all taken together covered almost the entire amount he paid in court.

Another example of the fascination of lovers of camellias is the story that happened in the middle of the last century with one variety of camellias, acquired by Verschafelt 4 in Ghent for 1,000 francs and called "Queen Victoria".

This wonderful variety had huge, two and a half inches 5 in diameter, flowers ...

The public and gardeners from everywhere came to look at the wonderful variety.

And so, in order to cover his expenses and at the same time please amateurs, Verschafelt invented a kind of win-win lottery. He issued 10 shares, 250 francs each, and for each share there were 10 varieties of camellias, one of which was necessarily layering from the Queen Victoria variety. These 10 shares were immediately sold out. Then he issued another 100 of these shares, and they were just as quickly sorted out. Of these, 33 were purchased by the city of Ghent itself, 60? Belgian gardeners, and the rest dispersed all over the world. So in a short time this camellia brought the owner 15,000 francs, and in his possession there was also the most uterine copy.

Many of the camellias bred in Europe have taken root so well here that they have been growing for decades right in the gardens, annually covered with a mass of flowers. Among them is the famous camellia, growing in the garden of the country palace of the King of Saxony near Dresden.

This camellia was brought from Japan back in 1739, and for about 175 years, covered only slightly for the winter, it grows here and is strewn every year with a mass of lovely flowers. Its trunk has more than 2 arshins in girth.

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Camellia - a plant for the garden and apartment

Camellia- this is a beautiful, decorative, evergreen plant that can withstand fairly low temperatures and blooms from autumn to spring, making this plant very loved by gardeners and flower growers in our country. The dense shiny dark green foliage of this plant always adorns the garden with dignity. In addition, camellia can also be grown at home as a pot crop.

Camellia is native to Japan, China and Vietnam, where it grows in foothill and coastal forests.

Camellia has been known for a long time. The first mention of camellia is found in written sources and dates back to 1725 BC. In Europe, the most common and well-known type of camellia is camellia japonica(Camelia japonica) only came into existence in the 18th century, and by the 19th century many hybrid forms had been bred in various colors, sizes and shapes.

Camellia flowers come in a variety of colors: white, cream, from pale pink to deep red, as well as a rare yellow color. Flowers vary in size from 6 to 12 cm in diameter. There are 6 forms of camellia flowers: simple, semi-double, anemone-shaped, peony-shaped, pink-shaped terry and symmetrical and terry.

Camellias grow in a temperate and humid climate, have good winter hardiness (some species can withstand frosts down to -20 degrees). Light or sparse shade - the best suited for camellias, and in areas with hot summers, camellias should generally be grown in the shade. You can plant a camellia next to a fence or wall, or next to a larger plant to cover it from the bright sun and give it shade. In order for the buds to form well and quickly, it is necessary to provide the plant with coolness and a short daylight hours. For example, in England, due to suitable wet and foggy weather, camellias can be found in almost every garden.

The soil for camellias should be acidic, Camellia japonica is especially demanding in this sense. Camellia needs moist soil, with a lot of humus and very good water permeability. When planting, the plant should not be deeply buried: the root neck should be flush with the ground. Camellia does not like calcareous soils and salt marshes, so it is better for her to take not garden soil, but forest soil from under heather bushes and coniferous trees, high-moor peat, depleted in calcium. With an increase in soil acidity, camellia does not absorb iron well and there is a risk of chlorosis - yellowing and falling of leaves. From the presence of excess calcium in the soil, camellia sheds buds.

You can fertilize camellia from spring to mid-summer. Good results are obtained by feeding with granular chicken manure once a year no later than mid-summer. In the spring, it is necessary to mulch with leaf humus or tree bark, which provide an acidic soil reaction and retain moisture at the plant roots during the summer.

Growing camellias in an apartment

Camellias can be successfully grown in containers as a house plant. Camellia care in a tub is practically no different from caring for a camellia in the garden. It is important to have acidic structural permeable soil, light and temperature conditions (coolness is required during the cold season), as well as maintaining a high level of humidity around the plant. Warm winter apartments are completely unsuitable for camellias. If you have a glazed balcony, where the temperature in winter does not rise above 15 degrees of heat and does not fall below 10 degrees of frost, then in winter its place is there. In the summer, camellia can survive the heat if it is provided with abundant watering, spraying and shade during hot hours. If you live in a country house, then tubed camellias can spend most of their lives on the patio, moving to an insulated greenhouse, greenhouse or cool terrace only during the coldest winter months.

The best water for watering camellias is rainwater or condensate from the refrigerator or water that has been settled for 3 days, with a pinch of soda added. To ensure constant moisture at the roots, use hydrogel, which must be mixed with the soil at the time of planting. The frequency of watering depends on the mechanical composition of the soil - if good drainage is laid in the pot, and the soil is moisture-absorbing and light, you can often water it in small portions. If the soil is heavy with poor drainage, it should be watered carefully, avoiding dampness in the pot. The main thing is that the soil does not dry out and is not waterlogged. Good moisture is especially important for camellias in the fall, when bud formation occurs.

You can fertilize camellias in the spring - during the period of active growth, applying fertilizers in very small doses. It is not recommended to use manure, as it salinizes soils, especially heavy ones. It is better to buy special fertilizers for acidic soils, which are also sold for azaleas. Conventional fertilizers are also suitable - complete mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur.

Regions with moderately cold winters are very suitable for camellias. In such regions, the camellia is a versatile plant for any garden, park or patio. Camellias are used as an informal green hedge that creates a beautiful and practical hiding place from prying eyes throughout the year. Camellia with great success used as a bonsai plant. It is good to plant camellias with a tapeworm in the middle of the lawn, as well as on a border of shrubs and trees in a natural garden. Camellia will fit perfectly into any garden design.

Camellia (Camellia) - care, photos, types

Camellia - description

Camellia (lat. Camellia) belongs to the genus tea and includes approximately 80 species of plants. It grows in subtropical and tropical zones of East and Southeast Asia, in Japan and Korea, on the Indochinese Peninsula, on about. Java and the Philippine Islands. Camellia was first brought to Europe from the Philippines by a priest and naturalist Kamelius G.I., in whose honor the plant got its name.

Camellias are small evergreen trees or shrubs. Simple leaves are ovate or elliptical, leathery to the touch, glossy; they are both blunt and pointed, grow in two or three pieces or singly. Petals with many stamens are pure red, pink or white, and sometimes variegated.

Some types of camellia are valued for their decorative qualities - both for their beautiful leaves and flowers. When growing camellia indoors, it not only grows well and blooms, but can bear fruit - for this you need to provide it with proper care. Beginning gardeners often fail to grow camellia due to care errors - insufficient lighting, the wrong soil mixture, too hot air or low humidity. By following the rules described below, you can grow a beautiful and healthy plant.

Camellia - photo

Camellia - home care

Best of all, the camellia indoor plant feels on the windows on the east and west sides, because diffused bright lighting is optimal for it. On the north side, the plant will not have enough light for good growth, and on the south side, the plant needs to be shaded from direct sunlight. In order for the plant to grow proportionally, the pot with it needs to be turned from time to time, but under no circumstances should you do this when buds appear on the home camellia - the buds can crumble. In summer, indoor camellia would be good to take out into the fresh air, without exposing it to the open sun.

Temperature.

In summer and spring, the air temperature should be between 20 and 25 °C. For bud formation, the temperature should not be higher than 18 ° C, and when the camellia blooms at home from December to February, it should be from 8 to 12 ° C. If the temperature is higher, firstly, the plant may drop buds, and secondly, the decorative effect of the flowers will decrease. Flower buds can also be laid at a lower temperature if the daylight hours are short. Camellias need to circulate fresh air.

Watering camellia.

The camellia plant cannot be flooded - it must be watered abundantly, but evenly, as soon as the topsoil dries. Watered with soft water, let it settle before watering. If in winter the camellia flower is kept in cool conditions, it should be watered very carefully so that the soil does not acidify. If this happens, the plant will drop buds and the leaves will turn brown. And if the camellia is dried out, then the leaves will fall off.

Spraying camellia.

The home camellia flower loves very humid air, so the pots should be placed on a tray with moistened pebbles or expanded clay, and the leaves should be sprayed with soft water. If the plant blooms, then you need to ensure that water does not fall on the flowers.

Camellia nutrition.

Feed homemade camellia every three weeks throughout the year. Mineral fertilizers are taken complete (1 g of fertilizer per 1 liter of water).

Pruning camellia.

In order for the axillary buds to grow better, the camellia shoots are pruned at the end of autumn at room conditions.

Camellia transplant.

Young specimens of camellia need to be transplanted annually. If a plant blooms every year, it needs to be repotted every two years. Transplanted in the spring, pinching the shoots in parallel for better branching. The soil should be acidic with a pH level of 4.5 to 5. Distinctive feature room camellia compared to many subtropical plants is the ability to grow in soils with a pH of 4 and below. The soil mixture is made up of peat, sod, leaf soil and sand (2: 1: 2: 1). Plants growing in tubs need to be topped up with fertilizer every year. High-quality drainage should be built in a container with camellia.

Camellia from seed.

Seeds should be sown in five-centimeter pots one at a time. When the seedlings have two leaves, they dive into larger pots. When propagated by seeds, the signs of varieties may be lost, therefore, to preserve them, the camellia is propagated by cuttings. Signs of camellia varieties are especially valuable in ornamental gardening; for this reason, camellia is propagated vegetatively (by cuttings).

Reproduction of camellia cuttings.

Decorative varieties of camellia are usually propagated in July and January with the help of 6-8 cm apical cuttings, not yet woody. Cuttings (they should have from 3 to 5 developed leaves) are planted in boxes, and the temperature is kept at 20-23 ° C. The soil mixture is prepared from equal parts of peat and sand. When planted in summer, rooting can take up to two months, and in winter - a little longer. A container with cuttings must be sprayed and watered. To speed up rooting, the cuttings can be soaked in a heteroauxin solution, and then watered periodically, but this may either speed up the rooting process or have no effect. When the cuttings take root, they are transplanted into pots 7 cm in diameter in a substrate of peat, leafy, soddy soil and sand (2:2:1:1). Sometimes vaccinations are carried out on rooted cuttings, and sometimes on one- or two-year-old camellias. At first, it is watered abundantly, after which watering is reduced to accelerate the lignification of petioles.

Reproduction of camellia by grafting.

If the camellia variety takes root poorly, it is worth propagating by grafting. They do this in January, using the developed buds from the top of the shoot. After two months, the grafts will germinate when kept at 20°C. Young plants need to be sprayed, watered, control humidity, cut off shoots and prevent burns on the leaves (otherwise they will fall off). In the second year, the plant is transplanted into 9-cm pots with the same substrate, and in the third year, the camellia plant is transferred into pots 11-14 cm in diameter into a substrate of leaf, sod, heather, peat soil and sand (2: 2: 2: 2:1).

Camellia - diseases and pests

Camellias are dropping buds. If the soil is allowed to acidify, the buds will fall off, and the leaves will take on a brown tint.

brown spots on camellia leaves are sunburns. The plant needs to be shaded from the sun, especially on a summer afternoon.

Camellia leaves are falling if the plant lacks moisture for a long period.

Camellia dies. The reasons for the death of camellia in novice flower growers: incorrect soil composition, low light, too low humidity, too high air temperature.

Camellia pests. The main pest that harms camellias is the spider mite.

Camellia - types

Camellia mountain / Camellia sasanqua

Camellia mountain (Camellia sasanqua) or Camellia Miyagi (Camellia miyagii) or camellia tegmentosa (Camellia tegmentosa). This species is native to Okinawa and about. Kyushu. These shrubs grow to a height of 3 to 5 m, the branches are thin, and the shoots are pubescent with red hairs. Leaves reach a maximum of 7 cm in length and 3 cm in width; the shape of the leaves is elongated-ovoid or elliptical with teeth along the edges; the upper side of the leaf is dark green and glossy; on the lower side, the midrib is pubescent. Simple fragrant 7 cm flowers grow singly or in groups of 2-3 and are red, pink or white. The period of abundant flowering from November to January. Grows best in cool rooms.

Camellia sinensis / Camellia sinensis

Chinese camellia (Camellia sinensis) or camellia bohea (Camellia bohea). It grows in gorges, on mountain slopes and in the forests of China. In height, these trees or shrubs grow up to 15 m. The leaves are up to 10 cm long and up to 4 cm wide, elliptical or ovoid, glossy and dark green on the upper side; young leaves are pubescent with white hairs, and adults are naked. White axillary flowers grow on short pedicels of 1, 2 or 3 things.

Japanese camellia / Camellia japonica

Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica). This species can be found in Japanese, Chinese and Korean forests. These trees or shrubs grow up to 15 m in height. The leaves are pointed at the top and jagged at the edges, leathery to the touch, dark green, glossy. They have the shape of an egg or an ellipse, reach a maximum of 10 cm in length. Simple 4-centimeter flowers grow several or singly, there are double and semi-double; the color is pure red, pink or white, and there are also variegated leaves. The flowering period is from December to April.

Behind garden camellias, identification with roses has taken root, only those that bloom in winter, when all plants are sleeping. Although the similarity of these two colors lies only in their appearance: splendor and shape. But the garden camellia in its agricultural technology differs from other ornamental shrubs, planting and caring for it are special.

Frost-resistant camellia varieties

To date, among the many cultivated varieties of camellias, there are also varieties that are adapted to the winter cold. They can be grown outdoors even in areas where winters are severe.

Just for success to be justified, you, as a gardener, will need to carefully select the growing conditions and ensure careful care for the camellia. And then the beauty of the blooming camellia will pay back all the efforts.

Camellia as a species combines a lot of varieties with a wide variety of forms: from small shrubs to huge trees.

But frost-resistant varieties of camellia have been bred for hundreds of years, and only in the 21st century seedlings of crops that can grow on open soil even in frosty winters began to spread en masse. The following best frost-resistant varieties of camellia can be distinguished:

All of them begin to bloom in spring, and even in winter they retain their foliage.

Camellia varieties - seemingly fragile and delicate purple-pink ornamental shrub. The rounded flower petals vaguely resemble an orchid. The flower is 10 cm in diameter.

This variety is very slow-growing, forgiving of small missteps in care and suitable even for novice gardeners or those who have no experience growing camellias. The lush dark green crown only emphasizes the luxurious scattering of large bright flowers.

Camellia variety also has purple-pink flowers, only more saturated colors. Unlike the previous variety, Debbie grows quickly, and her abundance of flowering does not suffer at all.

Her flowers are smaller and more double, and the petals are rounded, but in general, these two varieties are very similar. Debbie is not afraid of either precipitation or late snow, she does not require complex care and is very well suited for getting to know the world of camellias.

The Japanese camellia variety blooms with pearly pink buds with overflows. But flowers are actually chameleons. With further blooming, they turn white.

This is a slender ornamental shrub with elongated branches and a dense crown. Camellia grows slowly and mostly upwards, adding a little in crown diameter.

Camellia flowers are red in color with a slight coral overflow and a silky texture. This is a real work of art among plants, decorated with bright stamens.

The branching of Freedom Bell is very dense, straight growth and large beautiful glossy leaves. This variety tolerates pruning very well. In case of deformation and freezing of the shoots, they can be shortened without fear.

The Japanese camellia is strikingly different from the previous variety with its bright and variegated red flowers. White and scarlet spots stand out interestingly on them. White streaks on the petals increase as the buds open.

Did you know? To date, more than 10,000 species and varieties of camellias are known.

How to buy a young seedling in a store

It is better not to purchase camellia seedlings in advance, but to buy immediately before planting. Choose only those seedlings that are at least four years old. They should have powerful lignified shoots.

If you purchase a frost-resistant variety, check its properties in the store. The supplier must provide full information on the possibility of growing camellias in regions with snowy and frosty winters and on the range of tolerated temperatures.

The meaning of this is that the variety, although frost-resistant, but a certain batch of seedlings can be grown in milder climatic conditions. And this can turn into disastrous consequences for the camellia in the very first winter.

Confirm the cold hardiness of each plant you purchase by asking leading questions to the seller/supplier.

Planting a garden camellia

A gardener planting camellias must know where it is best to plant it, how to properly care for it, what soil should be, how much to water it and in what quantities to feed it. The full life of a shrub begins with its landing in open ground.

Planting dates in open ground

Camellia planting must be done in the period from the twentieth of April to the tenth of June.

How to choose a place to land

For camellia, moderate and humid climatic conditions are most preferable. For planting in other regions, the plant must undergo adaptation. Further cultivation of camellia in the garden should begin with the choice of a shady place where strong winds do not penetrate.

The eastern side and constant exposure to direct sunlight do not have a beneficial effect on camellia. The shrub will grow well in partial shade or in constant shade - just not in the dark.

For the emergence of buds, camellia needs cool air and a short daylight hours. Camellia flower buds are laid at a temperature of 17 to 20 ° C, and bloom - from 8 to 13 ° C.

How to prepare the soil for planting a seedling

The optimal soil can be prepared independently. It is enough to mix peat soil, sand, coniferous litter and ground bark. You can buy ready-made soil in the store, which is intended for growing azaleas and rhododendrons.

Often a purchased camellia is planted in the country. In this case, you need to opt for a flowering specimen. During this period, the plant is in a state of rest, and with the accumulated forces of camellia, it will be easier to transfer adaptation to a new habitat.

The shrub must be carefully removed from the container, keeping the fragile roots intact. When planting a camellia, do not deeply deepen its root collar into the soil.

But do not leave the root system too close to the surface, because there is a high probability that the plant will die at the first onset of frost. After planting the camellia, water it abundantly and mulch it.

Did you know? One of the ancient legends says that beautiful maidens from Saturn were turned into camellias, who did not succumb to the spell of the god of love, Cupid. In memory of this, camellias are symbolized with coldness and insensibility.

Features of caring for camellia in the garden

Despite its unpretentiousness, garden camellia needs mandatory and proper regular care.

Watering and feeding plants

When watering the camellia during flowering, make sure that water does not fall on the buds or flowers. In summer, the plant needs regular moisture, which must be produced very generously. In winter, the intensity of watering should be significantly moderated.

But it also happens that the camellia sheds leaves, and sometimes buds, what to do in this case? Firstly, this is the very first sign that the soil is either not sufficiently moistened or poorly fertilized. The solution is obvious - the normalization of watering and improving the quality of top dressing.

Important! Camellia growing in the garden is demanding on the composition of water and its quality. Do not water the plant with water that contains lime. For this purpose, soft, well-settled water is best suited.

Camellia needs high-quality top dressing, especially in spring, during the formation of new shoots, when the active period of its growth begins. Feed until the end of summer twice a month.

Important! Don't overdo it with feeding. The root system of camellia does not require a large amount of food. Feed the plant only when the soil is well moistened.

It is necessary to introduce top dressing only based on organic matter and mineral fertilizers. You can buy them at any store that specializes in gardening. When the summer season gives way to autumn and new buds are formed, feeding can be stopped.

Overfeeding the plant will cause it to grow at the right time to rest. In this case, an adult camellia can suffer greatly, and a young one can freeze completely.

Pruning and transplant

Camellia should be transplanted during its rest period, namely with the onset of winter. There are two active periods of plant growth:

1. The first - from the beginning of April and for three weeks.
2. The second - from the beginning of July until autumn.

Important! Transplanting a camellia in the growth phase is fraught with disastrous consequences: the plant can stop its growth or even die.

With proper care for a young plant, it should be transplanted annually. And during the flowering period, camellias need to be transplanted to a new place every two years.

For greater density and branching, camellia shoots need to be pinched during transplantation. To stimulate bud formation, you need to cut the camellia in mid-autumn.

Camellia is unpretentious regarding pruning, but it will only be useful if pruned at the end of the flowering period. If the bush has been cut too much, then it will need more thorough care. The affected shrub will need to be moistened more often.

Preparing the bush for winter

In the summer, the camellia grows in the garden, for the winter it can be dug up and transferred to the wintering place indoors. It is quite difficult to save a shrub, since heating has a bad effect on the plant.

The best place for camellia, it is a warm balcony or any other room with conditions similar to a cold greenhouse.

In winter, the flowering of camellia is the most intense, but this is achieved only at a night temperature of 0 ... + 5 ° С. This is the main factor in which garden camellia blooms most intensively and for a long time.

Reproduction of camellias at home

Camellia can be propagated like most other plants: by seeds, layering, grafting and cuttings.

Garden camellias reproduce best with half-lignified cuttings, which are cut closer to August. The stalk should be with five leaves, about 8 cm long.

How to root camellia? Her stalk must be planted in sand or a mixture of sand and peat soil in a ratio of 1: 1. The end of the cutting is dipped in a phytohormone, which helps to better heat the soil.

Its temperature should be about 25 degrees. Under such conditions, the cutting will take root for two months.

Be sure to take only semi-lignified cuttings. Green young shoots are not suitable for propagation. Rooted cuttings are planted in separate pots.

seeds

The seed method of propagation of camellia is the most effective. When should you plant camellia seeds? They ripen by mid-autumn. Seeds must be sown immediately after harvest, otherwise their germination will quickly be lost due to the high oil content.

Sow seeds in a mixture of peat and sand in wooden boxes. Seedling growth accelerates at 20°C and lasts from several weeks to one year. Then, with the appearance of two leaves, the seedlings dive one by one into separate pots with a diameter of 7 cm.

Seed-grown camellias adapt much better to harsh conditions and grow faster.

Usually the plant blooms in the fifth or seventh year, but some varieties bloom already in the second or third.

Did you know? Camellias appeared in Europe in 1738 thanks to the Jesuit monk Joseph Kamel. In his honor, the plant began to be called "camellia".

Frequent growing problems, possible diseases and pests of camellias

Camellia diseases can be both treated and prevented, the main thing is to know the methods of control and prevention.

Yellow spotting. Individual leaves and shoots of the plant are covered with yellow spots of various shapes. The disease can manifest itself as a result of genetic abnormalities, and under the influence of viral diseases.

How to fight: mother liquors must be carefully selected. Plants with even the smallest signs of yellow spot should be removed.

Phyllostictiosis. The leaves are covered with brown spots of irregular shape. This disease is manifested as a result of high humidity and damage to the foliage.

How to fight: affected leaves must be removed. For the fastest drying of the plant, the humidity of the air must be reduced. Before the onset of winter, camellia should be treated with one of the preparations: Saporol, blue vitriol, Bordeaux mixture, Abiga-Peak.

Weevil-mower. This pest can be identified by the leaves gnawed at the edges. The larvae of this insect are much more dangerous than the mother. They damage the root system. They look like white worms 1 cm long with a brown head.

How to fight: perfectly cope with pests Bazudin in granules, Iskra gold, Mukhoed and Medvetoks.

Shields and false shields. They damage still young shoots, and tubercles of golden or golden color are visible on the surface of the stems. Brown. Insects can be simply picked off with something thin.

How to fight: with a small lesion, you can get rid of pests with a toothbrush. After that, moisten a cotton swab in kerosene and wipe the stems. A dense film does not allow air to pass through, and insects die from asphyxia. If the lesions are more global, then the camellia should be treated with insecticides. Mineral oil works well.

The leaves of the plant throughout the mercy acquire an uneven yellow-white color. There are dark spots on the underside of the leaves. Thrips are tiny elongated yellow or brown insects that live on the underside of leaves. They appear with an increase in air temperature and an increase in humidity. Severely affected leaves dry and fall off.

How to fight: you need to hang blue sticky traps near the plants. To completely get rid of pests, camellias are sprayed with insecticides Aktara, Aktellik, Fufanon, Fitoverm, Tanrek, Iskra, etc. After five days, the treatment must be repeated, since the insects go through several stages of development.

The leaves are stained with yellow dots, which expand over time, discolor and dry out. The mites, only 0.5 mm in size, live among the cobwebs on the underside of the leaves. Ticks appear from high temperature and dry air.

How to fight: in the first stages, you can treat the camellia with soapy water or mineral oil. With a more extensive fitoverm, Akarin, Vertimek, Lightning and others will help.

The use of camellia plants in different areas

Camellias plant light cool rooms. Their flowers are great for decorating apartments and halls.

Medicinal preparations are made from the buds and leaves of camellia. It is young buds that are used to make drinks, as fermentation takes place in them.

Young buds and camellia leaves contain enzymes that increase the metabolic processes of the body and promote the removal of excess fat.

Phenolic compounds contained in the leaves have a calming effect and break down lipids. Thus, fewer calories enter the body. A decoction of camellia roots treats diarrhea.

All kinds of cosmetics are made on the basis of camellia seed oil. For example, lipsticks with camellia oil are applied in a thinner and lighter layer. A decoction of the leaves makes the hair more manageable and silky.

A healthy and fragrant tea is prepared from dried camellia leaves. It can also be prepared at home. Five-leaf shoots should be collected from May to September. They are laid out on a wooden board and withered for half a day.

Then they are twisted into tubes and laid out on a wet towel with a layer 7 cm thick and left for five hours. When the leaves begin to smell and take on a copper-red color, they should be dried in an oven at 50°C. Tea can be brewed.

In China, camellia leaves are used to treat dysentery, heal wounds, soothe stomach upsets, treat malaria, epilepsy, and anemia. Good for helping with fatigue.

Thanks to the tonic and astringent properties of camellia flowers, hemorrhoids are successfully and painlessly cured. A decoction of the flowers stops internal and external bleeding.

Important! Be sure to follow the dosages when taking camellia raw materials as a remedy.

And finally, I would like to understand one more question: what does the camellia flower symbolize?
For a long time, the camellia was the "flower of the samurai." Only representatives of this class could grow camellias and decorate their clothes with them. But in the 15th century, such a belief suddenly arose that a samurai who touched a camellia would inevitably be beheaded. It is explained simply.

A plucked camellia flower does not crumble when it hits the ground, and the associative fantasy of the Japanese added its own colors.

In ancient times, according to the Shinto tradition, the camellia was a symbol of the sun goddess Amaterasu, later of Jesus, with the advent of Christianity. Today, the camellia symbolizes resilience and longevity.

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