Not all camellias root readily from cuttings, but with good
facilities, bottom heat, intermittent mist, and rooting hormones
almost any camellia cutting can be rooted successfully.
Cuttings of new growth are the easiest to root. They should
be taken soon after the tender growth matures and hardens (May
- August). The cut should preferably be made around the fifth
node (the node is the tiny bud-like growth at the base of the
leaf junction with the stem). Cuttings of this length are long
enough to remove the lower leaves, leaving eyes from which roots
will develop in addition to those at the cut end. A tapering
cut should be made at the base of the cutting. This allows more
surface for roots to develop. To reduce dehydration, the leaves
left on the cutting may trimmed back one-half.
A media of one-half sand and one-half peat has been proved
successful. Also used are vermiculite and perlite. The medium
should drain well but not dry out too quickly. Any box, pot,
or container, or bed at least 4-6 inches deep that provides good
drainage is suitable for the medium. Although not necessary,
a rooting hormone may speed up rooting if applied to cuttings
before inserting into the medium.
Cuttings should be place in rooting media about 2 inches apart
and 2-3 inches deep. A covering of glass or plastic over the
pot will help to retain moisture. Intermittent mist is used by
nurserymen to prevent drying out. Cuttings should be kept moist,
but not wet at all times. When cuttings are well rooted, usually
mid-to-late winter, transfer them to pots or plant in a protected
bed. A small number of cuttings may be rooted in a pot of sand
covered with a milk jug or soft drink bottle with bottom removed.
Seed
Growing plants from seed presents the gardening enthusiast
with a real challenge. Camellias do not come true from seed and
very rarely is a good flower produced from seed. Out of many
seedlings, the chances for a superior variety are very slim since
camellias have been hybridized for over 2000 years to produce
the varieties available today.
Camellia seed ripen at different times depending on variety
and location. However, seed generally mature in early fall. When
seed are mature the pod begins to crack slightely and seed are
ready to be picked. Soak the seed for 12 hours or crack carefully
the hard coat to aid in germination. Plant in good soil, peat
moss, or a combination of peat moss and sand. Keep the soil damp.
Seed usually germinate in one month if planted immediately after
harvesting. Other seed may not germinate until spring. Once the
seed have germinated, transplant into containers or outside.
Cutting off the tap root will produce a more fibrous root system
and is helpful if planting in a container. If planted outside
the tap root will help the plant survive during periods of drought
or severe cold. Better germination will occur when seed are planted
immediately upon ripening.
|
