Camellia 'San Dimas' Camellia japonica 'San Dimas'

Water

Japanese Camellia should be watered deeply to ensure the roots have adequate moisture, typically once a week, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. During the growing season in spring and summer, water with about 1-2 gallons per week, depending on the size of the plant and environmental conditions. Decrease watering in the fall and minimize it in the winter when the plant is dormant. If you are growing it in a pot, ensure that excess water can drain to prevent root rot.

Light

Japanese Camellia thrives in partial shade, benefiting from morning sunlight and afternoon shade. The ideal spot is an east-facing location where it can receive gentle morning light but avoid the harsh midday sun. Filtered sunlight beneath high-canopy trees is also suitable, protecting the leaves from sunburn while providing enough light for healthy growth.

Temperature

Japanese Camellia prefers a temperate climate with temperatures ideally ranging between 60°F and 80°F. It can handle minimum temperatures down to around 20°F but may be damaged by prolonged exposure to freezing conditions. During hot summer days, shield the plant from temperatures that exceed 85°F to prevent stress.

Pruning

Japanese Camellia should be pruned to maintain shape, remove any dead or diseased branches, and encourage airflow within the canopy. The best time to prune is right after it finishes blooming, which is typically late winter or early spring. Pruning at this time ensures that you won't cut off next year's buds, which form shortly after the flowers fade.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Japanese Camellia 'San Dimas' thrives best in acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. A good soil mix consists of 1/3 organic material like peat moss or leaf mold, 1/3 garden soil, and 1/3 perlite or vermiculite for drainage.

Repotting

Japanese Camellia 'San Dimas' should be repotted every 2-3 years, ideally in spring or autumn, before or after the blooming season, to prevent disrupting its growth cycle.

Humidity & Misting

Japanese Camellia 'San Dimas' prefers high humidity levels, around 50-60%, similar to its native environment in East Asia. Consistent humidity is key for optimal growth and bloom.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright, indirect light and high humidity for indoor Japanese Camellias.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade and sheltered location for outdoor Japanese Camellias.

• Hardiness zone

  7-9 USDA

Life cycle

Camellia japonica 'San Dimas', commonly known as the Japanese camellia, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates in suitable soil conditions, often in partial to full shade with slightly acidic, well-drained soil. After sprouting, the seedling stage is characterized by the emergence of the first sets of true leaves, establishing a root system and beginning photosynthesis. The vegetative stage follows, during which the plant undergoes significant growth, producing a woody stem and a lush canopy of glossy, evergreen leaves; this stage can last for several years as the plant matures. As the Japanese camellia reaches maturity, usually within 2 to 5 years, it enters the flowering stage, producing an abundance of showy flowers — the 'San Dimas' variety typically has a profusion of pink, formal double blooms that appear from late winter to early spring. After pollination, which is often assisted by insects, the plant produces fruit in the form of dry capsules containing seeds, which when mature, disperse to give rise to new plants. The Japanese camellia is a perennial, capable of living and flowering for many years, sometimes even centuries, with proper care and favorable conditions.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• The Camellia japonica 'San Dimas', commonly known as the Japanese camellia, is typically propagated using semi-hardwood cuttings. This technique is performed during the late summer when new growth has begun to mature and harden slightly. Select a healthy stem of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) in length, making a clean cut below a leaf node. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone to promote root development. The treated cutting is then placed in a well-draining potting medium, such as a mix of peat and perlite, and kept under high humidity and indirect light until roots have formed, which could take several weeks to a few months. Maintaining a stable temperature around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 24 degrees Celsius) is crucial for successful rooting.