Camelia - Camellia

Dupa cum v-am spus, Dani a cumparat o Camelie acum cateva zile. Recunosc, stiam cateva lucruri teoretice despre aceasta planta, asa ca am apelat la ajutorul tatalui meu pentru a afla si alte amanunte despre ea. Oricum, cred ca in orice carte despre gradinarit puteti gasi detalii despre aceasta superba planta, denumita si trandafirul japonez.

As I told you, Dani bought a Camellia a few days ago. I admit, I knew some theories about this plant, so I ask my father about it, to find out some more. Anyway, I think you can find details about this gorgeous plant (so called japanese rose) in any gardening book.

Sunt peste o suta de specii de Camelie in toata lumea. In functie de specie, ea poate atinge si inaltimi de aproape 20 m., fiind un adevarat arbore. Creste foarte repede, cu 25-30 cm. pe an pana la maturitate.

There are over 200 Camellia's species all over the world. Depending on the species, it can reach heights of almost 20 m., a true tree. It grows very fast, about 25-30 cm. per year until maturity.

Cele mai intalnite culori ale florilor Cameliei sunt albul, rozul si rosul. Sunt cateva varietati galbene, acestea fiind destul de pretuite. De obicei, Camelia infloreste la sfarsitul iernii sau inceputul primaverii. A noastra are deja cativa boboci si astept cu interes repararea camerei foto, pentru a ii surprinde.

The common colours of the flowers are white, pink and red. There are some yellow varieties, truly appreciated. Usually, Camellia blooms in late winter or early spring. Ours has a few buds already and I am waiting impatiently my photo camera to catch their bloom.

Din frunzele Cameliei Sinensis se face ceai, ea fiind denumita si "planta ceai". Din frunzele sale se extrage si un ulei de ceai, care este foarte popular in China pentru gatit.

From Camellia Sinensis leaves you can make tea, the other name for this variety beeing "tea plant". From its leaves you can extract also tea oil, very popular for cooking in China.

Este indicat sa alegeti un loc racoros pentru aceasta planta, dar odata stabilit, sa nu o mai mutati. Riscati sa pierdeti toti mugurii pe care planta ii are in acel moment. Ii place lumina, dar detesta soarele direct si caldura in apropiere. Chiar daca ii plac locurile racoroase, nu ezitati sa o udati din abundenta, in special pe frunze. Va sugerez sa foloositi apa plata sau dedurizata, pentru a evita depunerile de pe frunze - calciu si saruri. Nu ii plac transplantarile dese, asa ca este bine sa alegeti de prima oara un ghiveci mai mare decat e cazul.

It is wise to choose a cool place for this plant, but if you choose it, don't move it. The risk is that you will lose all the buds. Camellia likes the light, but hates the direct sunlight and close warmth. Don't hesitate to use a lot of water, especially on the leaves. I am suggesting you to use water without limestone, to prevent the calcium and salts to settle down on the leaves. Choose a larger pot from the beginning, because Camellia hates to move from one pot to another.

Pentru gradinarii de ocazie sau pentru cei care nu prea stau pe acasa, aceasta planta este considerata pretentioasa. In realitate, insa, necesita o ingrijire putin mai atenta doar in perioada de inflorire. In rest, se comporta frumos in gradina si va bucura zilnic ochiul.

For ocassional gardeners or for those who are not spending a lot of time at home, this plant is considered highly maintenance. In reality, though, Camellis needs a careful care only in the blooming time. All year long, Camellia is a beautiful plant in the garden and brings joy to your eyes.