Introduction to Camellias

1. Introduction to Camellias C. hybrid ‘Stars’N’Stripes C. sasanqua ‘Enishi’ C. sasanqua ‘French Vanilla’ Yuri Panchul February, 2013 http://panchul.com http://sazanka.org

2. 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

4. Wild species distribution

5. 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

6. 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’

7. Camellia sasanqua • Originated in Japan • Japanese name Sazanka • Wild form – white • Sun-tolerant • Less formal • Free-flowering • Flowers September-December Camellia sasanqua ‘Asakura’

8. Flower forms • Single • Semi-double • Anemone • Peony or informal double • Rose-form double • Formal double

9. Single japonica – Kamo Honnami

10. Single sasanquaTrue red C. x vernalis ‘Yuletide’

11. Single sasanquaTrue red C. x vernalis ‘Yuletide’

12. Semi-double japonica – Masayoshiwith viral variegation

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

14. Two sasanquas – single Narumigataand informal double White Doves

15. Rose-form double: dwarf C. sasanqua ‘Dwarf Shishi’ by ToichiDomoto

16. Formal double C. japonica ‘Desire’

17. Anemone C. japonica (‘Elegans’ group)

18. Anemone C. sasanqua ‘ChojiGuruma’

19. Wild species: Camellia grijsii

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

21. Small leaves: Camellia puniceiflora

22. Tea tree - Camellia sinensis

23. 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

24. 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

25. The Huntington Botanical Gardens • San Marino, California • Place to visit • Large mature collection • Classic garden • Species garden • Japanese garden • Chinese garden • Bonsai

26. A flower from Huntington

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

28. Tom Nuccio at Filoli Garden

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

30. Short internodes: C. sasanqua ‘SasanquaCompacta’ from Nuccio

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

32. John Wang, a hybridizer from Bay Area

33. Bob Erhart’s garden in Walnut Creek

34. Bob Erhart’s garden

35. Bob Erhart’s garden - seedlings

36. Camellia seeds (C. checkiangoleosa)

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

38. Y.C. Shen book

39. Dan Charvet, Heartwood NurseryFort Bragg, California

40. Yuri Panchul’s Seedling #0011

41. Gallo Winery, Modesto, California

42. BonsaiGardenat Lake MerrittOaklandCalifornia Camellia x vernalis ‘Yuletide’

43. 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

44. 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

45. 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

46. 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

47. Thank you!