Camellia sp.

The most famous member of the Camellia family is C. sinensis, the plant from which we get tea. Tea can be made from other Camellia species, but its flavor is not as desirable. But these other Camellias make showy bonsai, with beautiful flowers and shiny evergreen leaves. They can be grown outdoors in warm climates, and are often grown as an indoor bonsai when they cannot be kept otherwise. Most Camellias flower from fall through early spring.

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Lighting:

 Partial shade. Likes lots of indirect light. 1000 Lux is recommended indoors.

Temperature:

 Zone hardy to zones 8 or 9, depending on species. Never below 10F. Can be grown sucessfully indoors, but needs cool nights (between 40-60F, but 50-59F is best) in winter. Likes ventilation, but should be kept sheltered from strong winds.

Watering:

 Moderate, but as the root hairs are very fine, the plant CAN NOT be allowed to dry completely. I have a Camellia corpse to prove this. Increase watering during active growth, and when the plant is in bloom. It is best to use decalcified (soft) water if possible. Likes an occasional misting, but do not mist while in bloom or the flowers will wither.

Feeding:

 Every 2-3 weeks, spring-autumn. Use a fertilizer such as Miracid, formulated for acid-loving plants, at half- strength. Do not fertilize while the plant is in bloom. The plant may also benefit from administering chelated iron 2-3 times a year.

Repotting:

 Every 2-4 years in late winter or spring, following blooming.. Likes acidic, humus rich soil. The roots are superficial and fine, so drastic root pruning is not recommended, and it is best if only 10% of the roots are removed.

Styling:

 Wire from late spring to autumn, taking care to protect the delicate bark and branches. Do not wire while the plant is setting buds, and wire only lignified shoots. Young plants should be pruned after the shoots have developed 4-6 leaves, trimmimg back to 2-3 to establish branching. Pruning of established bonsai is best done following flowering, pruning only once and then allowing new shoots to set buds.

Propagation:

 By seed, soaking in warm water, for 24 hours, and then removing the outer casing. Fast germinating. Also hardwood cuttings can be taken from winter-summer, although rooting is slow and difficult. The use of rooting hormone and bottom heat of 72F is recommended. Air-layering is possible.

Pests etc.:

 When flower buds begin to appear, they are delicate. They may fall off if the plant is moved, or if there is too great a variation in temperature or light. Camellia is vulnerable to aphids, red spider mites sooty mold, weevils and chlorosis.

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Some species suitable for bonsai:


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Related posts on Camellia:

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Barry Garcia
barry_garcia@otter.monterey.edu
September 07, 1997
i have Camellia sasanqua "Satsugekka" and it truly is a good plant for bonsai. Its leaves are small and many of the specimens ive seen have very good trunk and branch structure. My Camellia has a slight curve to the trunk.
It shaped up very nice just by trimming it.



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Information Sources:

Information on Camellia is taken from Thomas (ed.) "Hearst Garden Guide to Trees and Shrubs," the Simon and Schuster Guide, Resnick's "Bonsai," Lesniewicz's "Bonsai in Your Home," Ainsworth's "Art of Indoor Bonsai," the Samsons' "Creative Art of Bonsai," Tomlinson's "Complete Book of Bonsai," Coats' "Garden Shrubs and Their Histories," and my own experience.


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