Williamsii Camellia Camellia × williamsii 'Grand Jury'

Water

Williamsii camellias like consistently moist soil, so water them deeply to saturate the root zone once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. During the growing season, especially in dry spells, you may need to water every three to four days. Ensure the plant receives roughly 1 to 1.5 gallons of water at each session, but avoid waterlogging the soil, as this can lead to root rot. Decrease watering in the winter when the plant is not actively growing, but don't let the soil dry out completely.

Light

Williamsii camellias thrive in light conditions that offer part shade to dappled sunlight. They should be protected from the hot afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch, making a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade ideal. Ensure that the light is filtered or indirect to maintain the deep green foliage and promote healthy blooms.

Temperature

Williamsii camellias prefer temperatures between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. They flourish in a climate that doesn't regularly drop below freezing in winter, but they also need some cooler temperatures to set buds. It's vital to protect them from extreme cold or sudden temperature drops that can damage the plant.

Pruning

Prune williamsii camellias to maintain shape and encourage vigorous growth, typically after the flowering period ends in spring. Remove any dead or broken branches and thin out dense areas to improve air circulation. Pruning is also essential for controlling the plant's size and promoting next year's blooms, as camellias bloom on old wood.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for a Camellia (Camellia × williamsii 'Grand Jury') should be well-draining, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic with a pH between 5.5 to 6.5. A mix of two parts peat moss to one part perlite or vermiculite is ideal for maintaining the necessary soil conditions.

Repotting

Camellias typically need to be repotted every 2-3 years, but this can vary depending on the growth rate of the individual plant. It's best to repot in the spring before the growing season starts.

Humidity & Misting

Camellias prefer a humidity level ranging from 40% to 60%. Consistently high humidity is beneficial for the Camellia to thrive, but avoid overly wet conditions that can promote fungal diseases.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright indirect light, consistent moisture, and avoid hot dry air.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade, shelter from strong winds, mulch well.

• Hardiness zone

  7-9 USDA

Life cycle

The Camellia × williamsii 'Grand Jury', commonly known as Williamsii camellia, begins its life cycle as a seed, which under the right conditions of moisture and temperature, germinates to give rise to a seedling. As the seedling grows, it develops a root system and a shoot that emerges above the soil, gradually forming true leaves and a woody stem characteristic of camellias. The Williamsii camellia enters a juvenile growth phase where it continues to grow in size and strength but is not yet mature enough to flower. After several years, when the plant has reached maturity, it enters the reproductive phase, producing buds that bloom into large, showy flowers usually in late winter to spring, a key attraction of this variety. Following pollination, which can occur through the assistance of insects, the flowers develop into seed pods, containing seeds which when mature, are dispersed to complete the cycle. It is important to note that, as an ornamental hybrid, many Williamsii camellias are also reproduced asexually through techniques such as cuttings or grafting, for consistency in the plant's characteristics.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The Camellia × williamsii 'Grand Jury', commonly known as Williamsii Camellia, is most effectively propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings. The optimal time for taking cuttings is late summer to early fall, when the current year's growth has begun to mature. To propagate from cuttings, a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 centimeters) section of semi-hardwood is cut just below a node. Leaves on the lower half of the cutting are removed, and the base is dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining soil mix or a mixture of peat and perlite. The cutting should be kept at a consistent humidity level, often with the help of a plastic cover, and in indirect light until roots have developed sufficiently to allow for transplanting. This process typically takes several months.