One plant in particular is very popular among hobby gardeners: the camellia. No wonder, because it is relatively easy to care for and a feast for the eyes, especially in winter.
Camellias (Camellia japonica) beautify our apartment and the conservatory, especially in winter. However, you will only get lush flowers if you take good care of your camellias. They then enchant pretty much every room with their wonderful colors. The camellia is ideal for bringing a foretaste of spring into the house. However, to ensure that the plant opens its buds in time for the end of winter, you should give it the right care.
How to properly care for camellias
❖ Tip 1 - Location:
Camellias should not be placed in too warm a location. They like it relatively cool. For example, you should never place the plant next to or above a heater.
The camellia also likes it bright. If it gets too little light, only a few flower buds form. Therefore, always place your camellias in a semi-shady spot.
❖ Tip 2 - Watering:
The soil around the camellia should never dry out. However, there must be no waterlogging, because the plant does not tolerate that at all. The roots then die off. It is best to water the camellia vigorously once a week. From October you should then water less. It is best to only do this when the root ball is completely dry.
❖ Tip 3 - Humidity:
Even though camellias don't need to be watered very often, they still like high humidity. In a warm room you should therefore always dust the leaves with a little water.
❖ Tip 4 - Repotting:
Camellias should be repotted once a year. A drainage layer of gravel is ideal for this plant, which ensures that no waterlogging occurs at the bottom of the flower pot.
If you want your camellias to flower even more, then you should plant them in rhododendron soil and don't forget to fertilize them.
❖ Tip 5 - Fertilize:
Fertilize your camellias from the end of May. Best with mineral long-term fertilizer for rhododendrons or organic rhododendron fertilizer with guano. After fertilizing theAlways water the soil well and stop fertilizing in August, because then bud formation is complete.
❖ Tip 6 - Cut:
Whether you have younger or older camellias at home, it is always better to prune them. Younger plants are pruned so that they branch better and become bushier. Older people, on the other hand, to keep them in shape. So cut your camellias back a little after they have bloomed (end of August is best). Find out more here.
Remove faded flowers regularly. This promotes flowering.
❖ Tip 7 - Overwintering:
Older camellias are usually hardy down to -5 degrees Celsius. Wrap the flower pot with fleece and cover the bottom with a thick layer of mulch, then even down to -15 degrees Celsius. However, the plant must then be in a sheltered location.
If you prefer to bring your plants indoors, do so only when the temperature has dropped to -5 degrees Celsius. The plant needs this cold stimulus so that the buds open and the flower lasts for a long time. Then move the camellias to a room where the temperature does not exceed 15 degrees Celsius. You can find out more about overwintering camellias here.