Camellias, bot. Camellia japonica are among the most interesting flowering plants for hobby gardeners. They are wrongly considered difficult to keep. If you create the right conditions, you can enjoy their beautiful flowers for many years.
How to plant camellias correctly?
To properly plant camellias (Camellia japonica) in a pot, choose a bright, cool location, use ericaceous soil or an acidic soil mix, ensure good drainage and plant in spring, with the upper root ball protrudes slightly from the earth.
Which location is suitable?
Camellias need to be very bright. 16 hours of light per day is ideal. The plants cannot tolerate direct sunlight. This would burn the leaves.
The location shouldn’t be too warm either. A place where the ambient temperature is between 12 and 16 degrees during flowering is optimal.
A good location can be:
- Sheltered spot on the terrace
- Bright, unheated hallway
- Cool Entryway
- Unheated greenhouse
In which soil does Camellia japonica grow?
Camellias like low PH soil, similar to rhododendrons or azaleas. So-called ericaceous soil (€8.00 on Amazon) is available to buy from specialist retailers.
You can also mix the soil yourself from compost, peat or coniferous soil and a little clay. You can find coniferous soil under firs, pines or spruces.
Camellias cannot tolerate waterlogging at all. Ensure good drainage in the bucket.
When is the best time to plant?
Camellias are best planted in spring.
How to plant camellias correctly?
The Camellia japonica is a shallow-rooted plant. Do not plant the plant too deep in the soil. It is ideal if the root ball protrudes slightly from the soil at the top.
Before planting, you may trim the roots slightly if necessary.
When does the camellia bloom?
The flowering period indoors lasts from December to February. For strong and long-lasting flowering, the plant should not be warmer than 16 degrees.
Can the camellia be propagated yourself?
Camellia japonica is propagated via cuttings that you cut in August. The shoots must not be woody and should be 10 to 15 centimeters long.
The cuttings are inserted into substrate and rooted under foil at 25 degrees.
Tips & Tricks
In summer it is best to leave the camellia in a protected place on the terrace. You only have to bring the plant into the house when the temperatures drop below freezing.
