Introduction to Camellias

Yuri Panchul February, 2013

http://panchul.com http://sazanka.org

C. hybrid ‘Stars’N’Stripes C. sasanqua ‘Enishi’ C. sasanqua ‘French Vanilla’

Genus Camellia

• Family Theaceae

• Three systems of taxonomy

– J. Robert Sealy, 1958

• 12 sections, 82 species

– Chang Hung Ta, 1981

• 4 subgenera, 22 sections, 280 species

– Ming Tien-lu, 2000

• 2 subgenera, 14 sections, 119 species

Wild species distribution

Species overview

• Main decorative species

– Most popular - C. japonica

– Fall-flowering, sun-tolerant - C. sasanqua

– Largest flowers - C. retuculata

• Tea camellia – C. sinensis

• Oil camellia – C. oleifera

• Golden camellia – C. chrysanta

• Everblooming camellia – C. azalea

Camellia japonica

• Originated in Japan

• Japanese name Tsubaki

• Wild form - red

• Shadow loving

• Many thousand cultivars

• Many formal doubles

• Flowers January – March

• Problem with Petal Blight

Camellia japonica ‘Glen 40’ / ‘Coquettii’

Camellia sasanqua

• Originated in Japan

• Japanese name Sazanka

• Wild form – white

• Sun-tolerant

• Less formal

• Free-flowering

• Flowers September-December

Camellia sasanqua ‘Asakura’

Flower forms

• Single

• Semi-double

• Anemone

• Peony or informal double

• Rose-form double

• Formal double

Single japonica – Kamo Honnami

Single sasanqua True red C. x vernalis ‘Yuletide’

Single sasanqua True red C. x vernalis ‘Yuletide’

Semi-double japonica – Masayoshi with viral variegation

Semi-double hybrid ‘Stars’N’Stripes’ with genetic varigation

Two sasanquas – single Narumigata and informal double White Doves

Rose-form double: dwarf C. sasanqua ‘Dwarf Shishi’ by Toichi Domoto

Formal double C. japonica ‘Desire’

Anemone C. japonica (‘Elegans’ group)

Anemone C. sasanqua ‘Choji Guruma’

Wild species: Camellia grijsii

New rose-form double from China: C. grijsii ‘Zhenzhucha‘

Small leaves: Camellia puniceiflora

Tea tree - Camellia sinensis

Ancient History - Japan

• First mention - red japonica – 1st century AD – A province of Kyushyu Island – A governor used camellia club in a

battle

• First white japonica

– 7th century AD – Presented to Emperor Temmu

• Became popular in 14th century

– Muromachi period – Traditional Japanese garden

Camellias in the World

• China – the origin of genus Camellia

– C. reticulata near Buddhist Monasteries

• Europe

– Dates of arrival vary from 1550 to 1730

– Linnaeus named the genus after George Kamel

– Greatest popularity – Victorian England

• Australia and New Zealand

– E.G.Waterhouse, Paradise Plants nursery

The Huntington Botanical Gardens

• San Marino, California

• Place to visit

• Large mature collection

• Classic garden

• Species garden

• Japanese garden

• Chinese garden

• Bonsai

A flower from Huntington

Nursery and hybridizers– Nuccio’s Nurseries in Altadena, California

Tom Nuccio at Filoli Garden

Small leaves:C. sasanqua ‘Jewel Box’ by Nuccios

Short internodes: C. sasanqua ‘Sasanqua Compacta’ from Nuccio

Silvery leaves: C. sasanqua ‘Silverado’ from Nuccio’s

John Wang, a hybridizer from Bay Area

Bob Erhart’s garden in Walnut Creek

Bob Erhart’s garden

Bob Erhart’s garden - seedlings

Camellia seeds (C. checkiangoleosa)

Y.C. Shen – Camellia book author living in the Bay Area

Y.C. Shen book

Dan Charvet, Heartwood Nursery Fort Bragg, California

Yuri Panchul’s Seedling #0011

Gallo Winery, Modesto, California

Bonsai Garden

at Lake Merritt Oakland

California

Camellia x vernalis ‘Yuletide’

Recommendations about culture

• Sun in California – 70% shade for C. japonica – 30% shade for C. sasanqua

• Sasanqua may tolerate from 0% shade to 80% shade

• Watering 2-3 times a week during summer – Once a week during winter

• Temperature – not a problem in California – Japonica is generally hardy down to 15 °F (-10 °C)

• Pruning is optional • With proper culture, insects and diseases are rarely a

problem – Petal blight is an exception

Fertilization for the ground

• Any form of nitrogen

– Ammonium sulphate, synthetic urea – Blood meal, Chicken manure – Water two days before and immediately after fertilization

• Phosphorus, Potassium, microelements are not

recommended – our California soil already has plenty of them

• One application in March maybe enough – Second application in July is optional

• But watch for heat waves – do not fertilize during hot weather

Fertilization for the container

• Before each burst of growth – April 15 and 4th of July

• Liquid Camellia fertilizer at half-recommended strength

• Water two days before fertilizing – Plant should not be water-stressed

• Osmocote is not recommended – may quickly release during hot weather

• Cottonseed meal (3:2:1) is a viable alternative

Recommended container soil mix

• Equal parts of peat moss, perlite and “Camellia & Azalea mix” from the store – Watering 2-3 times a week on summer

– once a week during winter

• Why not just a store mix? – Too heavy = root rot

• Why not just peat moss and perlite? – Once dry it difficult to make moist again

• Why not just a store mix and perlite? – Not acid enough, may contribute to chrolosis

Thank you!