Like the parent Pompone, the bloom buds are much less liable to fall
off, than those of the double Red, White, or Buff Camellias. A plant
inarched with two or three different kinds, will, from want of water, or any
neglect that may occur, frequently shed the Blooms of the three sorts
alluded to, whilst those of the Pompone and its seedling, here figured, will
remain and bloom uninjured.
The present Camellia may be described as much superior in size, form,
and foliage to the variety from which it sprang, and to which it most assimilates,
and will probably be considered as one of the ornaments of a new
series of Camellias, which if they do not eclipse, certainly rival the most
beautiful of those hitherto imported.
PARTICULARS OF CULTURE.
T he soil best adapted to the growth of Camellias, is a mixture of
Peat or Bog Earth and Loam, in nearly equal proportions: where the
loam is peculiarly light, a less quantity of peat is requisite. The earth
should be well mixed and passed through a coarse sieve, reserving the
detached portions of peat and loam that will not pass the sieve, to
fill the bottom of the pots, thereby securing a free drainage, a circumstance
indispensable to the success of the plants. They require
plentiful watering at the respective periods of growth and flowering:
during the latter, if not regularly supplied, the bloom buds will infallibly
fall off, instead of expanding into flower; at other times a regular
moderate supply is essential, and the plants will improve in appearance,
by occasionally sprinkling the foliage. The time for fresh potting is
generally when the spring growth has hardened; and the dormant
blossoms for next season may then be detected in the rounded form of
the leading buds, which afterwards usually split into a growing and a'
blooming bud. After potting, the plants may be placed in the open
air, or retained in the green-house, according to the season they are
wanted to flower. Where families spend the winter in London, it is
desirable to have them bloom a little before Christmas, and if the
house is kept up to the warmth of a regular hot-house in February and
March, the spring growth will be anticipated two months, and an early,
almost an autumnal bloom, will be the consequence : with this treatment
the regular watering is the only material circumstance, and when the