CAN Camellia japonica GROW IN VIETNAM? SEED GERMINATION AND INITIAL GROWTH

Camellia japonica L. is an evergreen tree, belonging to family Theaceae. The species naturally distributes in China, Taiwan, Korea, and southern Japan. It has been widely planted for ornamenting purpose. Also, C. japonica oil has been extracted and used for healthcare. In this study, seed germination and initial seedling growth of C. japonica were experimented in Hanoi, Vietnam.Seeds were collected in January in Kyoto, Japan and transported to Vietnam. Seeds were stored in normal room conditions until the experiment in February. Pre-sowing treatment was conducted by soaking in 50-55oC ordinary water until reaching normal temperature. Treated seeds were then sown in wet sandy bed for germination. Germinated seeds were then transplanted to forested-soil pots and tended normally by watering twice a day without fertilization and pest/disease control. The results indicated that the first seed germinated was recorded 3 weeks after experimenting, and germination ended in 2 weeks from the first germination. Most seeds germinated in the duration of 5th day to 10th day after the first germination. The germination rate was 62.5% and seedling survival rate was 96.8% at 4 months of growth. Seedlings of 4 months old had an average height of 15.9 cm, diameter at the stump of 2.1 mm, the taproot of 11.4 cm long, and average 10.6 leaves/seedling. It is possible to grow C. japonica in Vietnam. However, further study should be conducted in the field conditions.