Good care and careful handling of the root system rewards the Japanese rose with rich bud formation and beautiful flowers. In this article we explain how you can keep the roots of the camellia he althy and what you should pay attention to when inserting them.
How do I properly care for the roots of a camellia?
To keep the roots of a camellia he althy, place the plant in low-lime, humus-rich, well-drained rhododendron soil, ensure regular watering without waterlogging and avoid loosening the substrate so that the sensitive roots are not damaged become.
The camellia is a shallow rooter
Camellias spread their roots into the upper layers of the soil and form lateral roots that run shallowly below the surface. They specialize in absorbing water and nutrients immediately after entering the soil. Since the root ball of the plants does not penetrate into the deep, usually wetter areas, camellias cultivated outdoors also depend on regular watering during dry periods.
The Japanese rose doesn't like waterlogging
In contrast to many other plants, camellias have a cuddly root system that is also quite sensitive. Although they appreciate substrates with good water storage properties, they tend to quickly develop root rot when waterlogged.
What is root rot?
If moisture builds up in the substrate, the plant's storage organs begin to rot and can no longer pass water on to the upper parts of the plant.
The reason for this could be:
- Watering too frequently, which leads to waterlogging if there is no drainage.
- Fungi that attack the roots of camellia.
- Bacteria that spread in the roots.
Root rot can be recognized by the following symptoms:
- Individual shoots of the Japanese rose are beginning to wilt.
- Due to the resulting lack of nutrients, the foliage turns light green or yellow.
- The plant loses its stability due to the rotting roots.
- If you pull the camellia out of the pot, the roots are dark brown and feel mushy and soft. In addition, an unpleasant smell arises from the roots.
The right camellia substrate ensures he althy roots
In order to meet the special requirements of camellias, it is recommended to plant the plants in rhododendron soil. This is low in lime, rich in humus, well-drained and the pH value is in the acidic range.
Alternatively, you can use the substrate from:
- 1 part coconut fiber,
- 1 part bark compost,
- 1 part perlite
- 3 Share Potting Soil
mix it yourself.
Drill a few additional holes in the planter, cover them with pottery shards and fill the pot with a layer of clay granules.
To make the soil permeable outdoors, you should mix the topsoil with a portion of building sand or lava grit. A drainage layer made of gravel ensures good water drainage and therefore he althy roots even on rainy days.
Tip
Unlike many plants, you should not loosen the substrate between the sensitive roots. Do not pot the camellia too deeply. The Japanese rose likes it when the roots still stick out of the ground a little.
