Camellia

[daviddavid_007]

Hi everyone,

I love camellia in general and especially in bonsai forms/practices. There isn’t a lot of information about camellia bonsai or camellia bonsai anywhere. I rarely see camellia bonsai let alone a super nice ones.
I started this thread in hope anyone has knowledge and experience on camellia bonsai would be willing to share. Please post anything you have on this topic and please include photos if you have them. Thank you!
Here is my camellia I acquired in spring 2017, early 2019 and now.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Excellent start. Some exist. Sasanqua Camellia have smaller flowers and have seen contorted variety at nursery. Please add location to profile.

 

[daviddavid_007]

Excellent start. Some exist. Sasanqua Camellia have smaller flowers and have seen contorted variety at nursery. Please add location to profile.

Thank you! Wishing more people would post their camellia bonsai up in this thread. Added location to signature. Not sure how to add it to profile just yet.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Up at top right of your screen. Open user name, should link to "personal account" where can add location. Also Upper corner do search for Camellia, may find something there. Don't give up on search for trees.

 

[daviddavid_007]

Here is my second one I found at a local nursery in January this year. I brought it home, wired it, repotted it, and now

 

[Carol 83]

I have a couple that are in pots, but they don't really deserve to be called bonsai. Here they need protection in the winter. I have a "Hot Flash" that has already bloomed and a "Buttons and Bows" that should bloom fairly soon. Yours are very nice!

 

[rockm]

A friend's camellia. This tree was initially collected from a garden in Southern Va. and reduced. It's been a bonsai for about 20 years

 

[daviddavid_007]

A friend's camellia. This tree was initially collected from a garden in Southern Va. and reduced. It's been a bonsai for about 20 years

Wow! That’s an amazing camellia. It’d be awesome if your friend can share the experience/soil/fertilizer…etc

My camellia’s are in 100% Kanuma and the 2 camellia’s I have seem to like it. I place them in partial sun area and lightly fertilize them with Dr. Earth Acidic Fertilizer

 

[Carol 83]

A friend's camellia. This tree was initially collected from a garden in Southern Va. and reduced. It's been a bonsai for about 20 years

That's a beauty.

 

[rockm]

Wow! That’s an amazing camellia. It’d be awesome if your friend can share the experience/soil/fertilizer…etc

My camellia’s are in 100% Kanuma and the 2 camellia’s I have seem to like it. I place them in partial sun area and lightly fertilize them with Dr. Earth Acidic Fertilizer

I'm pretty sure they use regular old bonsai soil. It gets mostly full sun all spring and summer, with some light shade in the afternoon.

All of their trees (which include dozens of their own as well as dozens of boarding trees) are watered with a system that injects 20-10-20 low phosphorous fert constantly with every watering. It's low dose, constant feeding. They've got a professional nursery, so not something really practical for the backyard hobbyist. The low phosphorous results in tighter foliage since P is necessary for elongating foliage (so they tell me)

The photo below is from the Japanese collection at the National Bonsai And Penjing Museum. In training since 1876, It used to be a root over rock, but the trunk has basically consumed the rock (Which is now at the back of the trunk).

 

[daviddavid_007]

I'm pretty sure they use regular old bonsai soil. It gets mostly full sun all spring and summer, with some light shade in the afternoon.

All of their trees (which include dozens of their own as well as dozens of boarding trees) are watered with a system that injects 20-10-20 low phosphorous fert constantly with every watering. It's low dose, constant feeding. They've got a professional nursery, so not something really practical for the backyard hobbyist. The low phosphorous results in tighter foliage since P is necessary for elongating foliage (so they tell me)

The photo below is from the Japanese collection at the National Bonsai And Penjing Museum. In training since 1876, It used to be a root over rock, but the trunk has basically consumed the rock (Which is now at the back of the trunk).

Thank you for sharing! It’s very helpful and nice to know how the professional care for their camellia bonsai. I just learned something new again that I did not know how the P effects on tree grows.

 

[Cambob]

I received one for Christmas, purchased from Superfly in Harrisburg.
Excited to learn more about this species!

 

[Carol 83]

View attachment 413724
I received one for Christmas, purchased from Superfly in Harrisburg.
Excited to learn more about this species!

I got one from them for Christmas last year. I got another gift card for them this year, but their website shows they are sold out of almost everything.

 

[Cambob]

I got one from them for Christmas last year. I got another gift card for them this year, but their website shows they are sold out of almost everything.

Yes, I noticed that too. According to my mother, they have a good amount of stock in an indoor greenhouse, as well as some stuff still out in the yard. I guess the website isn't updated very frequently, but if you're local it's still worth the trip! Apparently it was one they hadn't gotten around to repotting yet, so mom also grabbed a pot at their recommendation and a bag of soil. For those who are more experienced than the 4 days I've had with this species: When should I repot it? Seems like Superfly was intending to do it soon. What kind of winter care would need to be involved after a repot at this time of year?

 

[daviddavid_007]

View attachment 413724
I received one for Christmas, purchased from Superfly in Harrisburg.
Excited to learn more about this species!

Very nice! Look like it has some flower buds. Make sure to read up on how to care for camellia as they like acidic soil and dapple lighting area, light on fertilizer, moist roots all the time but definitely not wet…
Please post an update in the spring

 

[daviddavid_007]

Yes, I noticed that too. According to my mother, they have a good amount of stock in an indoor greenhouse, as well as some stuff still out in the yard. I guess the website isn't updated very frequently, but if you're local it's still worth the trip! Apparently it was one they hadn't gotten around to repotting yet, so mom also grabbed a pot at their recommendation and a bag of soil. For those who are more experienced than the 4 days I've had with this species: When should I repot it? Seems like Superfly was intending to do it soon. What kind of winter care would need to be involved after a repot at this time of year?

I would recommend the following as far as repotting:
1. Wait till most the flowers are done with flowering, this also gives you time to enjoy the flowers.
2. Use Kanuma soil as it’s acidic and drain really well. Used on both of my camellias.
3. Be gentle with the roots, camellia is very sensitive with its roots, wash off all the old soil. Do not cut more than 25-30% of the root.
4. Since some roots were taken off some leaves need to be trimmed off too, as less roots may not be able to support all the original leaves. So it’s a good time to trim and wire the tree to shape.
4. After repotted keep it in an open but shady area for 2-4 weeks and let it recovers then move it to partial sun or dapple sun area.
5. Never let it’s roots dry out, always keep it moist all the time but not wet. Kanuma soil allows frequent watering as it drains well.
6. Fertilize lightly after the tree recovers from repotting(3-4weeks)
Good luck

 

[HamburgerTrain]

I collected this one last spring. It was probably 7’-8’. I had to chop it just so I could handle it. Then I watched it drop leaves for about 2 months before it started pushing new growth. Potted in pumice and bark. Lots of die back on some of the branching. Next season I’ll just fertilize and try to build strength, remove dead bits. Then I think I’ll try to air layer off part of the main trunk before cutting back.

 

[River's Edge]

I purchased two in 2010 for Bonsai and worked with them for a couple of years, loved the flowers. Both now grace the landscape beds on the east side of the house.
Learned they are vigorous growers with larger leaves that are difficult to reduce down. Best format is larger rather than smaller, not as well suited to bonsai as I hoped. Best specimen I have ever seen was in a nursery in Vancouver. Full size tree, 20 foot, amazing in full bloom.
They do very well with heavy organic fertilization responding with deep colouration and brilliant blooms. Best planted in partial shade, protected from wind and sun scorch! Keep moist, not fond of drying out!

 

[daviddavid_007]

A few more photos one is current and the others were taken early February 2020 when it was flowering.

 

[Cambob]

I would recommend the following as far as repotting:
1. Wait till most the flowers are done with flowering, this also gives you time to enjoy the flowers.
2. Use Kanuma soil as it’s acidic and drain really well. Used on both of my camellias.
3. Be gentle with the roots, camellia is very sensitive with its roots, wash off all the old soil. Do not cut more than 25-30% of the root.
4. Since some roots were taken off some leaves need to be trimmed off too, as less roots may not be able to support all the original leaves. So it’s a good time to trim and wire the tree to shape.
4. After repotted keep it in an open but shady area for 2-4 weeks and let it recovers then move it to partial sun or dapple sun area.
5. Never let it’s roots dry out, always keep it moist all the time but not wet. Kanuma soil allows frequent watering as it drains well.
6. Fertilize lightly after the tree recovers from repotting(3-4weeks)
Good luck

Thank you sir, that's super helpful! Is there a particular fertilizer you'd recommend that helps acidify the soil?