Camellia Sinensis (Tea tree)

that-guy

Sapling
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Mobile, Alabama
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Anyone grow one before bonsai or not? Are they finicky? And if you tried it as a bonsai how did it turn out?
 

Beng

Omono
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I have a small twig of a plant I picked up to grow out this spring at Nuccios. It hasn't done much since i moved it from peat to my akadama and pumice mix. The leaves won't work well for a shohin sized tree but if you give it many many years it could work for a larger bonsai for sure. I may end up selling it because it's growth rate seems to be painstakingly slow!

Ben
 

Shima

Omono
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Hilo Hawai'i
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Camellia

Find a branch or trunk with interesting movement and layer it. they layer easily. Currently I have 4 layers in training from 1" to 3" caliper.
Keep them cut back and they bud like crazy.
http://tinyurl.com/k4m87lg
 
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coh

Imperial Masterpiece
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I have a camellia sasanqua that I've been working with for about 3 years now. I don't know it compares to C. sinensis. The sasanqua has somewhat large leaves and flowers. I've had a little trouble keeping it happy but I'm slowly figuring it out (I think). A local club member who's been growing a camellia (also sasanqua, I believe) for 15+ years recommended transitioning it to a kanuma-based soil...said his started doing much better when he made that change. I'm planning on doing that over the next couple of repots.

Chris
 

fraser67

Shohin
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I've got a leptospermum scoparium I've had in the ground for 5 years. Considering it for bonsai. Interesting trunk. Fairly fast grower...probably only good for broom.
Best,
Jonathan
 

armetisius

Chumono
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Clarification:

No but I would love to see one both as a shrub and as a bonsai.

I have seen many camellia bonsai; but the actual "tea plant" was what I was referring to.
teaplant.gif
 
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