Ask the Curator
David MacLaren, the Curator of the Asian Gardens, is happy to answer your questions regarding camellias. Please understand that he will try to answer all questions, but may not be able to during very busy times in the garden.
If you have a question, please email David at dmaclaren@huntington.org with the words "Ask The Curator" in your subject line. Below are some recent questions that David has received.
Q: What's the rarest camellia in The Huntington Botanical Gardens?
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Q: Are camellias native only to Asia or are they found elsewhere in the world as well?
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Q: What is meant by the term "gibbing"? Do you do this at The Huntington?
A: Gibberellic acid has been used by camellia fanciers for more than 25 years. This chemical compound is a natural plant hormone and, when applied in concentrated form, can cause the flower buds of camellias to open earlier, thereby extending the flowering season. It also creates blooms larger than those not treated. In camellia shows (where flowers are judged in categories), "gibbed" flowers are displayed separately from regular flowers.
Gibberellic acid has only a localized effect when applied proximate to a flower bud 6 weeks prior to flowering. In the procedure, the vegetative bud below a flower bud is removed and a tiny drop of gibberellic acid is applied to the empty bud cup. The targeted flower bud develops more quickly than it would otherwise, and usually achieves a larger size than normal. Each year in late fall and early winter a selection of buds on Huntington plants is treated in this manner.
