Hur hög växer en camellia japonica
Kamelia (Camellia japonica) vill ha mycket ljus under vinterhalvåret, men skydda den från direkt solsken under våren och sommaren. Det är den svala viloperioden med en vintertemperatur på grader, som är svår för de flesta att ordna. Ett orangeri, växthus eller inglasat uterum med frostvakt krävs för att lyckas. These slow-growing, attractive flowers are easy to care for in the garden. Camellias are popular plants with showy blooms, and the Japanese camellia is a favorite.
This compact, long-lived shrub has dark, glossy foliage with beautiful flower clusters in a wide range of colors in the winter and early spring, attracting pollinators and songbirds. Caring for this popular shrub is tricky because it is quite picky about its growing conditions and it is also prone to pests and diseases. Although Japanese camellias are slow-growing, they are often used as an informal screen.
How to Grow and Care for Japanese Camellia
There are thousands of varieties with various bloom times, sizes, and petal forms. Some varieties lend themselves to be trained as an espalier specimen to grow up against a wall or fence. The shrub has thick roots, but they are not invasive. The roots grow near the surface and do not threaten nearby homes or structures. Japanese camellia is best planted in the spring; in southern locations, fall is also possible.
Here are the main care requirements for growing a Japanese camellia:. Japanese camellias produce the best blooms in light shade. They need protection from the intense, direct afternoon sun. These shrubs have very specific soil requirements. A well-drained, nutrient-rich, moist, and slightly acidic soil is a must for successfully growing Japanese camellia. If your soil does not meet these conditions, grow it in a container.
Japanese camellias need consistent moisture but not to the point of saturation to produce healthy abundant blooms. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture. Sudden temperature changes are detrimental to growing Japanese camellia. The plant tolerates temperatures as low as 10 degrees F but only for short periods. Select the site carefully and ensure it has adequate shelter against cold winter winds. If you want to see many healthy blooms on your Japanese camellia, apply a high-potassium fertilizer monthly during the summer.
In the spring, use a slow-release nitrogen-rich fertilizer, as this will promote healthy, dark foliage. It's even possible to find camellia-specific fertilizers in some garden centers. For the amounts to use, follow product label instructions. Of all the camellia species, Camellia japonica is the most widely grown and has the most cultivars with various bloom times, sizes, and petal forms. Popular options include:.
Unless you want to train your Japanese camellia, it won't need much pruning, and too much may spoil the attractive natural shape. Only remove dead or damaged branches or long, heavy shoots right after the flowering season. This stimulates branching and prevents the accidental removal of new flower buds. Home gardeners successfully propagate Camellia japonica through the layering technique, where the new plant stays attached to the original one while roots are forming.
Kamelia: Skötsel, Plantering & Val av Art (Guide med Bilder)
As most Japanese camellias are cultivars and propagating them from seed does not produce a plant that is true to the parent, growing them from seed is not recommended. Camellias thrive in pots. The container will require ample drainage holes and a well-draining soil mixture, such as a camellia or azalea potting mix. You can also make your own mix from bark, sand, sphagnum moss, pumice stone, and compost.
Like all container plants, potted Japanese camellia needs more frequent watering than the shrub in the landscape. However, it does not tolerate wet feet or soggy soil. Fertilize it regularly between April and September, except when temperatures are above 90 degrees F. Repot the plant every two to three years to a larger container with fresh potting mix as the roots and plant outgrow the container.
In a southern climate with mild winters, Japanese camellia can remain outdoors during the winter. If you planted the shrub in a protected spot, all you need to do is cover the soil with a thick, mounded layer of dry leaves and pine needles to insulate the roots from freezing temperatures. Camellias that are in a more exposed location should be covered with a burlap or canvas protective fence until spring arrives.
In northern areas, Japanese camellia should be grown in a container and overwintered indoors.