Camellia Cuttings: [Concept, Period, Rooting and Planting]

What does it mean to plant by cuttings?

Planting by cuttings is a method of plant propagation through which a fragment of a mother plant is planted and a new one is generated with characteristics similar to the one that gave rise to it.

The cuttings can be from the stems, leaves, rhizomes and roots and are divided into: tender, juvenile, semi-mature, woody, bud, foliar and root.

The process of planting by cuttings is very useful for those plants that do not produce seeds or that produce a limited number of them.By planting cuttings, a good number of plants can be multiplied from a single specimen: homogeneous and of good commercial quality.

The technique of planting by cuttings is widely used and recommended by horticulturists and is the favorite method of gardening enthusiasts because it is simple and easy to carry out.

The camellia is a bushy plant that reproduces very easily and the efficiency of its multiplication depends on the method applied, the conditions of the mother plant, the crop and, above all, the species to be propagated.

What is the best time to plant camellia cuttings?

The best time to plant camellia cuttings depends on the place and climate where they are grown.In warm areas it is best to plant in the fall so that the plants are established before winter.

Conversely, in cooler climates camellia cuttings will have a better chance of reproducing if planted in early spring.At present and with modern reproduction techniques, the planting of camellia cuttings can be done during any time of the year.

Specialists consider that the time of year in which the cutting is practiced is an important aspect for the success of camellia reproduction or of any plant.

How to get camellia cuttings to root properly?

Camellia cuttings can root correctly with the use of auxin-type regulators that accelerate their growth and increase the quality of the roots.

The camellia has a superficial rooting system so that the root system is not protected against extreme hot or cold conditions.

The temperature conditions must be kept constant so that the roots of the plant can develop properly.Camellia roots require a porous soil with good drainage, but with enough water retention to prevent the roots from drying out.

The degree of success of the rooting of the camellia cuttings will depend on the conditions of the environment where the multiplication takes place:

High relative humidity.
Adequate temperature of the substrate and the air.
Good availability of air and water in the substrate.
Renewal of air that allows good gas exchange
Correct lighting, but never direct sun.

How should we take the camellia cuttings to plant them?

Camellia cuttings should be taken from plants that are healthy and vigorous.

In the case of taking the cuttings that arise around the camellia, it is recommended to do a deep watering to soak the soil to loosen it.

It is recommended to remove the cuttings with your hands so as not to damage the mother plant or the fragment that will be used for planting.It is important to obtain a cutting of 10 to 15 cm and between 2 to 5 leaves, keeping only the 2 upper leaves.

The lower end is cut in a bevel shape under a bud, making a clean and wide cut to put the greatest amount of cambium in contact with the substrate, facilitating rooting.

It is recommended to keep all the gardening tools used for taking camellia cuttings sharp, clean and disinfected.

How long should we leave camellia cuttings in water?

It is not always possible to plant the camellia immediately, so it is recommended to leave the cuttings in water for a few hours while the substrate for cultivation is prepared.

This procedure is mainly used to prevent the camellia cuttings from dehydrating and the tissues from recovering before planting.

Is it convenient to use fertilizer or compost?

In their natural environment, camellias grow in soils with a high humus content (formed by the decomposition of organic matter).

If the substrate or soil does not contain enough humus, a mixture of acid peat should be used, which will provide the slight acidity required by the camellia and cattle manure.

A light coconut fiber-based substrate with a little compost can also be used.Experts and horticulturists recommend the use of fertilizers rich in phosphorous, potassium, magnesium and iron.

It is also suggested to add a part of iron sulfate to the substrates for planting camellia cuttings.The camellia requires fertilizer throughout the year but it is in the winter when it needs it most because it is the time of its greatest flowering.

How long does it usually take for a camellia cutting to come out?

The planting of the camellia by cuttings is not the fastest, but it is the easiest and most economical.Camellia cuttings require 3 to 4 months to root.

The camellia is a plant that blooms in winter and during the flowering season it produces many flowers and when they wither it continues to produce new shoots.

Bibliography and references

Bent Ana. (2019). Great Book of Indoor Gardening. First edition. Servilibro Editions, SA Madrid-Spain. PP 43-47.
Manual of propagation of higher plants. Metropolitan Autonomous University. First Digital Edition 2017, Coyoacán. Mexico PDF.