Camellias are beautiful evergreen shrubs which might be extremely prized for his or her stunning flowers and colourful hues. To get the absolute best show annually, fertilizing your camellias is sweet apply. This text will clarify when and the right way to fertilize camellia flowers.
The Function of Fertilizer in Plant Well being, Progress, and Growth
Like all organisms, crops require vitamins to develop and develop new tissues. Vegetation take in nearly all of their vitamins from the soil by means of their roots. Fertilizers assist replenish the vitamins within the soil, conserving the plant fed all year long.
Vegetation require 4 foremost sorts of vitamins; structural macronutrients, main macronutrients, secondary macronutrients, and micronutrients.
Carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) are the three structural macronutrients that crops want. By absorbing these vitamins from air and water, crops can produce glucose. This sugar is then used to fabricate cellulose, which is the essential constructing block of all plant tissue.
The three main macronutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (Ok). Nitrogen produces bushy foliage, whereas phosphorus is important for flower manufacturing. Potassium helps crops flow into vitamins extra effectively.
Secondary macronutrients carry out numerous different features and embrace calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S).
Varieties of Fertilizers
Most fertilizers are both natural or artificial. Natural fertilizers are produced from pure components, whereas artificial fertilizers include chemical substances and salts. Artificial fertilizers work quicker than natural ones however can kill helpful micro organism within the soil.
All fertilizers have an NPK ratio that reveals how a lot of every main macronutrient every dose incorporates. Selecting fertilizers with completely different NPK ratios has completely different results on the development of a plant. If you would like your plant to provide a lot of leaves, use fertilizers larger in nitrogen. For those who’re specializing in flowers, select fertilizers that include extra phosphorus.
Which Kind of Fertilizer is Finest for Camellia Flowers?
Camellias have particular soil necessities that affect which kind of fertilizer they want. Camellias want wealthy, acidic soils with a pH vary between 5.0 and 6.5.
Resulting from their acidic soil necessities, camellias want ericaceous fertilizers and compost. These mediums are designed for acid-loving crops. Use natural ericaceous fertilizer wherever doable. Most fertilizers are available liquid kind.
Use ericaceous fertilizers with excessive nitrogen ranges for younger camellia shrubs to provide extra bushy development. For established crops, select a balanced ericaceous fertilizer or one that gives extra phosphorus. This promotes extra flowers slightly than new leaves.
When to Fertilize Camellia Flowers
Camellias are slow-growing shrubs that demand a lot of vitamins. As such, camellias are thought-about to be heavy feeders. That’s why camellias want fertile, acidic soils with a lot of preliminary vitamins.
Fertilize camellia flowers a few times a yr to get the absolute best show. All camellias must be fed as soon as they’ve completed flowering. This provides the camellia loads of vitamins to begin producing subsequent yr’s buds from newer development.
If desired, give camellias a second feeding in midsummer. This gives an additional dose of vitamins for the growing buds. Early-season camellias flower within the fall, so midsummer is the proper time for a lift.
Keep away from feeding camellia shrubs after midsummer. Camellia buds are delicate, and over-fertilizing can injury them, in addition to trigger yellow or curling leaves. For those who feed your camellia too late within the yr, these flower buds may begin dropping off.
How you can Fertilize Camellia Flowers
Right here’s a fast information on the right way to fertilize camellia flowers:
- After flowering has completed within the spring, take away all of the spent blooms.
- Scrape away any mulch across the base of your camellia and calmly water the soil.
- Apply a dose of ericaceous fertilizer to the soil. Make certain to dilute the dose in response to the packet directions.
- Water the soil once more completely to assist it take in the vitamins.
- Repeat this in midsummer if desired.
Fertilizing Camellias FAQs:
What’s the Finest Time to Fertilize Camellias?
The perfect time to feed camellias is after they end flowering within the spring. Fertilizing helps your camellia start growing new buds.
Do You Feed Camellias When They’re Flowering?
Don’t feed camellias whereas they’re in flower. This may injury unopened buds and trigger them to drop off.
How Usually Ought to You Feed Camellias?
Feed camellias a few times a yr, often after flowering has completed. You may feed camellias once more no later than midsummer.
Wrapping Up
Fertilize camellias annually after they end flowering within the spring. You may apply a second dose in midsummer for an additional enhance. Use ericaceous fertilizers designed for crops that want acidic soils.
For extra, see our in-depth information on the which means and symbolism of camellias and uncover our favourite sorts of pink, white, and pink camellia flowers.
Edd is a budding content material author and gardener residing in the UK. He has a bachelor’s diploma in Artistic and Skilled Writing and has written for a number of gardening publications on-line. He’s enthusiastic about nature and sustainability with a deal with gardening and wildlife.
