Re: Re: Camellias and tea

Andrea, since Camellias are your specialty you may find this of
interest.  In  1980, just before he died, my father sent me a couple
of seeds, saying "plant these - they may be something special."
Well, I planted them in a pot with some other things and forgot
about them.  When the first came up, I thought it was a weed and
pulled it out - then realized too late what it had been.  When the other
came up, I treated it more carefully.  It didn't grow very quickly, but it
soon became obvious that it was some sort of Camellia.  Eventually
it grew big enough to put into a large pot.  For some years now, I
have kept it in a 12" pot.  It has never grown more than three feet
tall, and spreads to about four feet.  I suppose that keeping it in a 
pot may cause some bonsai characteristics.  It blooms, not every
year, but has bloomed several times.  The blossoms are delicate
pink singles - probably sasnaqua type.  The interesting thing about
it, however, is it's growth habit - it doesn't exactly "weep", but grows
downward with somewhat contorted stems.  It is a handsome plant,
which I put outside in the summer and try to keep as cool as 
possible in the winter - leaving it in an unheated entry until the 
weather is very cold.  Does this ring any bells with you?
Auralie
 
In a message dated 4/5/2008 11:05:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
andreah@hargray.com writes:

Yes-tea comes from Camellia sinensis. They originate from China and the 
first tea was made in the 6th century bc. I know this because I'm writing my 
last paper on propagating camellia japonica and sasanqua. Been researching 
their history.





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