For camellias to bloom profusely, they need proper care. We will show you which care measures are essential for the camellia.
The camellia (Camellia) is a real flower beauty. However, if you want to grow large and colorful flowers, you should pay attention to the right attention, so that this can also succeed. We will tell you the most important care measures to ensure that your camellia grows he althy and lush.
Caring for Camellias
The camellia has some special requirements when it comes to its environment and care. The following points must be observed in order to let the Asian tea beauty shine in all its glory.
Water camellias
Camellias are ericaceous plants and like it permanently moist. However, the emphasis is expressly on "moist", because waterlogging can quickly lead to root rot. Regular watering is therefore the preferred method to avoid waterlogging in any case. However, if there is a longer dry period in summer, it is advisable to reduce the frequency of watering, but use more water. With the larger amounts of water you can compensate for the evaporation on the surface a little and make sure that the rooted area of the soil is also completely penetrated by water.
Fertilize camellias
The camellia forms very large and dense flowers with good care. To ensure this, fertilization plays an important role. Therefore, fertilize at regular intervals, especially in late spring to late summer. The frequency depends on the soil conditions and weather conditions. Rhododendron fertilizers have proven themselves as fertilizers, as they largely meet the requirements of camellias. Occasionally you can use a complete mineral fertilizer to promote lush flower growth. Simply apply complete liquid fertilizer with the irrigation water in the weeks before flowering. However, pay attention to the dosage instructions on the fertilizer packaging to avoid over-fertilizing.
Camellias can also be excellently fertilized organically. This minimizes the risk of over-fertilization as the nutrients are released slowly and gently. Organic organic fertilizers such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer with long-term effect are best suited. You should apply this right at the beginning of the budding. You can find more information on fertilizing camellias in our special article.
Transplanting and repotting camellias
The camellia has above-average root growth. It is important to repot the camellia occasionally so that the roots do not eventually compete with each other for nutrients. Autumn offers the best time to do this, starting in early October. In August and September, most camellias go into a dormant phase during which they also need less water. Watering them in the new, larger bucket could therefore harm them. So wait until this dormant phase is over and spoil your camellia with a larger planter when the new growth phase begins.
Pruning Camellias
The camellia rarely needs extensive pruning under normal circumstances. It is much more important to regularly rid them of withered shoots and withered flowers. However, if you do want to prune your camellia, the best time to do so is anywhere between May and July, depending on the weather and growth. However, it is important not to cut your camellia too harshly with one cut, as a radical cut could take revenge with a greatly reduced regrowth. However, you can and should remove wilted flowers regularly.
You can find precise instructions for pruning camellias in our special article here.
Winter Camellia
Camellias need cool temperatures in winter, but it should still be frost-free. Only a few varieties are conditionally hardy and can withstand our domestic winter with appropriate winter protection planted in the bed. To survive the frost, the root area of the plants is covered with a thick layer of bark mulch, brushwood, spruce branches or moss. In severe frost, the part above ground must also be protected.
However, most varieties should be cultivated in pots and stored in a light spot with temperatures between 5 and 50 degreesand 15 °C.
You can find detailed information on overwintering camellias indoors and outdoors here.