Introduction to Camellias

Yuri PanchulFebruary, 2013

http://panchul.comhttp://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-

DecemberCamellia sasanqua‘Asakura’

Flower forms

• Single• Semi-double• Anemone• Peony or informal double• Rose-form double• Formal double

Single japonica – Kamo Honnami

Single sasanquaTrue red C. x vernalis ‘Yuletide’

Single sasanquaTrue red C. x vernalis ‘Yuletide’

Semi-double japonica – Masayoshiwith viral variegation

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

Two sasanquas – single Narumigataand 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 NurseryFort Bragg, California

Yuri Panchul’s Seedling #0011

Gallo Winery, Modesto, California

BonsaiGarden

at Lake MerrittOakland

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!