I. Soil and fertilization requirements
1. Land
To keep the soil loose, well drained, fertile and deep, acid soil is needed, and flowers can also be watered by rainwater or ferrous sulfate 1: 1000 diluent.
fertilize the soil or land
Don't use too much fertilizer, apply fertilizer properly before and after flowering, pay attention to using dilute fertilizer solution, and it needs to be cooked fertilizer.
The flowering period is long, usually from May to February, and the flowering period should be fattened. Apply compound fertilizer on the soil surface for one month in spring and autumn, apply moderate slow-release fertilizer in summer and winter, and apply diluted potassium dihydrogen phosphate 1: 1000 once a week to supplement phosphorus and potassium elements and prolong the flowering period.
Second, the watering requirements
Sufficient moisture is required, but not too much. The principle is to use both wet and dry, so as to avoid defoliation caused by accumulated water. Water should be increased at high temperature, about twice a day. From beginning of spring to July, the watering frequency was increased month by month, and it began to decrease in August and stopped in September.
Third, temperature and light.
The optimum temperature is 20-30℃, which is resistant to high temperature and cold. It is suitable for wintering at 5- 10℃, and freezing injury can be avoided as far as possible when it is higher than -5℃, and it can also be cultivated outdoors in areas above 0℃ in winter.
Camellia azalea is very resistant to shade, but it should also scatter enough light to avoid sun exposure, and shade it when the sun is strong in summer.
Fourth, air humidity and ventilation.
The air suitable for growth has a high humidity of 85%. Ventilation is needed to avoid strong winds and prevent branches from breaking.
V. Breeding methods
1. Seed propagation
Sowing can be done in spring and winter. Choose full seeds, apply a layer of loose and fertile soil after sowing, and then cover them with plastic film or hay to keep them warm and moist. Fertilize once a month after emergence.
graft
Grafting is the most effective way to propagate camellia. By artificial grafting, wild and endangered rhododendrons are propagated. From February to April, Camellia oleifera seedlings or trees are used as rootstocks for grafting.
Step 3: Cutting
May-June and September-65438+10 are suitable for cutting. Strong branches should be chosen. Before cutting, the cuttings should be disinfected, and leaves and buds should be cut from the ground in the seedbed matrix. After cutting, the soil should be kept moist, and the air should be cool and moist, so it is not advisable to apply more chemical fertilizer.
VI. Maintenance Methods
1. pests and diseases
Plants have strong stress resistance and few diseases and insect pests. It is easy to be infected with leaf spot in hot and rainy season, so it is necessary to spray thiophanate-methyl regularly for control. Avermectin (broad spectrum) and avermectin perchlorate can also be used for daily pest control. And the spraying area should be thorough.
Prune branches and leaves.
It is necessary to properly cut off diseased branches, weak branches, too dense branches, etc. Don't be too frequent and too heavy. Buds should be thinned properly during pregnancy.
Replace flowerpots and soil.
Usually 1-2 years. It is best to choose pottery pots or clay pots with good air permeability and drainage performance, followed by Qingshan pots and gallon pots. Pot soil is light loam mixed with furnace ash residue, alum fertilizer water and concrete. Add a lot of water until it seeps, and move camellia with soil at the root into the pot.