Camellia

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Camellia

Named in honor of George Joseph Kamel, or Camellus, a Moravian Jesuit and Eastern traveler. Nat. Ord. Ternstrcemiacece.

This well-known genus is so closely allied to the tea family as to be distinguished from it with great difficulty, the great difference being in the number of parts and position of the flower.

The number of true species of this splendid genus is very limited, not exceeding six or seven, and only one or two of them are thought worth cultivation, except for botanical purposes. The hundreds of beautiful varieties which grace our collections, possessing at once the most rich and vivid colors in their flowers, and the noblest grandeur in the whole aspect of the plants, fully compensate for this scarcity of species, and leave us little to desire that may not reasonably be expected from the same skill and per- severance which have already produced such splendid results.

C. Japanica may be regarded as the parent of the whole race of cultivated Camellias. It is a native of China and Japan, where it attains the altitude of a tree, and is much employed by the natives of those countries in decorating their gardens. Camellias delight in an even temperature, rapid fluctuation being injurious at any season, and the same regular and equable amount of both light and moisture should prevail for the whole year, that in effect the difference between the summer and winter seasons may be lessened as far as practicable.

For this purpose the plant should be kept in summer in a cool green-house, moderately shaded from the sun. When the plants are in a growing state they require abundance of water, both at the roots and over the leaves. After making their growth, and setting their flowerbuds, they require less attention than at any other period. Moderate supplies of water and a situation as cool as can be afforded without danger of frost or nipping currents of air are best.

About the middle of March is the commencement of the ordinary growing season, when a higher temperature and plenty of water to the roots should be given them. Potting should be done when the greatest benefit will be conferred on the prospective shoots, which will be before the roots have made much progress, or as soon after blooming as may be. A distinction in the quality of soil to be used should be made in accordance with the state of each plant, bearing in mind that they grow much stronger in loam, but do not usually produce flowers so freely, and vice versa for healthy specimens; and under ordinary circumstances an addition of leaf mould seems most advisable, introducing a small proportion of sand, and using the soil quite rough.

At this time it should be determined at what period the plants will be required to bloom in the ensuing season, whether early or late, to accord with which the plants may be either forced or retarded. They will bear almost any amount of heat while growing, but after the formation of the flower-buds it must be withheld, as the slightest application then, instead of hastening their development, will infallibly cause them to fall off. Hence, the only way to "force" Camellias into early flowering in fall and winter is to keep them at a high temperature while growing in spring.

A temperature of about 65 is the most proper for such as are desired to flower in the following winter ; 45 or 50 will be sufficient for the next, or those which may be said to bloom naturally, while the portion required to furnish flowers for the late spring months should be placed out of doors. This treatment must be continued until the new growths are completed, and the incipient flower-buds can be discovered, when a cool, shaded situation should be provided for each section as they require it ; observing to supply them bountifully with water during the whole period of growth, with an occasional sprinkling over the foliage, and moderate shade.

Any situation secure from frost will preserve them through the winter, and as the flowers expand, the plants may be removed wherever their presence may be deemed most ornamental.

Many of the best Camellias in cultivation have been raised from seed in this country ; several of the finest of which hae originated in Boston, with Messrs. M. P. Wilder and C. H. Hovey, and have been awarded the highest honors. The usual mode of propagation is by cuttings, or by grafting or inarching, either of which should be done as soon as the new wood is firm enough to handle. The subjects operated on should be placed in a close, humid atmospnere, such as is afforded by a common hand-glass placed over a tan-bark bed. The union takes place in a few weeks, and with encouragement, the scions will form fine plants in one season.

The Tea Plant, known generally as Thea Bohea or Thea viridis, is now returned by many botanists to this genus under the name of C. theifera.