How to propagate your own camellia cutting

1. Cut off a long piece of camellia, making a basal cutting just below the node.

2. Make sure the stock is neither too thick or thin and the stem should be brown.

3. Remove the lower leaves, leaving only three at the top.

4. Cut these top 3 remaining leaves in half.

5. Dip in honey or rooting hormone and place in your chosen propagation medium.

6. If you do not have heat, place a plastic bag over your container.

Gardening

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Varieties

There are several species, most common being: c. japonica - red, white or pink flowers that appear in late winter. Glossy green leaves. c. sasanqua - smaller leaves, smaller flowers that appear in autumn and winter. Make great hedging plants, topiary, standards or just as a single plant. They are often fragrant and have good clip ability. They have a whip like growth habit, which is great to train for topiary. c. reticulata - can be described as a tree with large flowers that are often ruffled. Flower colour is usually red, deep pink or crimson. There foliage is deeply veined, leathery rather than glossy. They grow better in milder climates. c. hybrids - many exist as crosses with various varieties. Each need to be looked at as individuals, but they generally flower late winter to early spring.

Light Requirements

sasanqua – full sun to light shade reticulata – sun to light shade japonica – light to medium shade hybrid – full sun to light shade

Flower Forms

There are six common flower forms: Single, semi double, anemone, peony or informal double, rose form and formal double.

Environment

All camellias require moist, organically rich soil that is well drained. It needs to be slightly acidic soil (ph. 5.5 to 6.5). They like the same conditions as Rhododendrons and Azaleas. They are frost hardy to minus 1015 degrees.

Planting

Add some peat moss or compost to the soil when planting. Like most plants, do not plant camellias too deep. The root ball should be just slightly above the soil surface.

Camellias can be used in pots, but beware more attention will be required with regards to watering and feeding. They do not like to be over potted.

Fertilise

Fertilese at the first sign of growth, but never overfeed. Use an acid or specific camellia fertiliser.

Pruning

Not normally necessary, but can be done to control size or rejuvenate an older plant. Enthusiasts sometimes prune to encourage flowers.

Diseases

Camellias can be susceptible to some viruses and fungal diseases. Specificaly - Root Rot Fungus. Apply a strong copper based fungicide. Make sure the position of the plant is free draining. Unfortunately, we have the dreaded Petal Blight in NZ. This presents as rust spots on the flowers, which then kills the flowers. Pick up and destroy infected flowers. The pink / white types (especially of c. japonica) that bloom in spring, are mostly affected by this disease.

Propagation

Camellias can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings. They are easy to propagate, but slow to form a decent root ball, so be patient.

I have always been taught that the best time to propagate camellias is Jan through to March.