Definición de los estados fenológicos de especies del género Camellia

Abstract

Camellia genus was introduced in Spain in the mid-19th century. Since then, an increase on Camel/ia culture has been reported, mainly in Galician moist gardens (NW Spain). In spite of its wide distribution, there are sorne features of the biological behaviour of this genus which have remained unknown. The study on the performance of the phenological conditions will obtain an improvement on camellia handling, in the control of phytosanitary products application and commercialisation. The main aim of thc present work will be to describe for the first time the phenological conditions of the Camel/lia genus. For four ycars a monitoring on the different stages of the species: Camellia japonica, Camellia sasanqua, Camellia reticu/ata, Camel/ia sinensis, Camellia híbrido, Camel/ia grijsii. Came/lia rosiflora, Camellia lutchuensis y Camellia o/eifera, Jocated in Areeiro and Soutomaior gardens in Pontevedra (NW Spain) was performed. These gardens were observed twice a week during blooming and sprouting seasons, and once a week the rest of the ycar. The phenological condition of thc species with several specimens growing in the same plantation was evaluated nccording to the stage more abundant, since the phenological development of these specimens was not simultaneous. Results obtained ranged from 9 to 16 diff erent phenological conditions ali nlong the Camellia annual life cycle, being the diffcrences among species very apparent. Thus, C. sinensis blooming period begins in August- September, and sorne C. hibrida cultivars blooming period starts in February.