ZhejiangPictorial | Camellia cultivator collects Chinese indigenous varieties, breeds new varieties

Xinhua
18 Mar 2025, 22:05 GMT+10

Wang Zhengtuan observes camellias of a rare variety at a cultivation base in Zhuma Township of Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

JINHUA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Zhuma, known as the "hometown of camellia" in China, is also home to Wang Zhengtuan, a 57-year-old camellia cultivator who has gained recognition within local camellia community.

Wang began cultivating camellias as a teenager under the guidance of elders. As he increased his understanding of flowers, he began to collect Chinese indigenous camellia varieties that were on the verge of extinction. Wang has also cultivated over a hundred new varieties through hybridization and bud variation.

"Today, foreign camellia varieties have gained significant recognition, but China is the true homeland of camellia. I feel a responsibility to pass the legacy on," Wang said.

Wang Zhengtuan (L) and a worker trim camellia bushes at a cultivation base in Zhuma Township of Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Wang Zhengtuan shows camellia flowers at a cultivation base in Zhuma Township of Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Wang Zhengtuan observes a hybrid camellia seed at a cultivation base in Zhuma Township of Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Wang Zhengtuan (1st L) shows a camellia tree to tourists at a cultivation base in Zhuma Township of Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Wang Zhengtuan conducts hybridization experiments on camellias at a cultivation base in Zhuma Township of Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Wang Zhengtuan reads books on camellias at his home in Zhuma Township of Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)