C. hybrid ‘Stars’N’Stripes
C. sasanqua ‘Enishi’
C. sasanqua ‘French Vanilla’
Introduction to Camellias
Yuri Panchul
February, 2013
http://panchul.com
http://sazanka.org
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
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Tea camellia – C. sinensis
Oil camellia – C. oleifera
Golden camellia – C. chrysanta
Everblooming camellia – C. azalea
Camellia japonica
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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
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Originated in Japan
Japanese name Sazanka
Wild form – white
Sun-tolerant
Less formal
Free-flowering
Flowers SeptemberDecember
Camellia sasanqua
‘Asakura’
Flower forms
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Single
Semi-double
Anemone
Peony or informal double
Rose-form double
Formal double
Single japonica – Kamo Honnami
Single sasanqua
True red C. x vernalis ‘Yuletide’
Single sasanqua
True red C. x vernalis ‘Yuletide’
Semi-double japonica – Masayoshi
with viral variegation
Semi-double hybrid ‘Stars’N’Stripes’
with genetic varigation
Two sasanquas – single Narumigata
and 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
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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 Nursery
Fort Bragg, California
Yuri Panchul’s Seedling #0011
Gallo Winery, Modesto, California
Bonsai
Garden
at Lake Merritt
Oakland
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!