How to cultivate an indoor osmanthus tree
Let me tell you about how to cultivate an indoor osmanthus tree and the topics of osmanthus tree cultivation methods and precautions for growing flowers and plants. Next, I will introduce you to more information.
Osmanthus is one of the top ten famous traditional Chinese flowers. When in bloom, it has a fragrant aroma and is evergreen throughout the year, making it an excellent garden species. Many flower enthusiasts also like to grow osmanthus in pots at home, but often encounter yellow leaves and withering. Today, Lan Yao will focus on introducing the key points of managing potted osmanthus, hoping it will be helpful to you.
Key points for managing potted osmanthus
Cultivating osmanthus in the ground is very simple and easy to grow. However, to ensure that potted osmanthus grows well and blooms with fragrance, Lan Yao suggests focusing on the following points.
1. Loosely fertile potting soil
Osmanthus grows best in deep, loose, fertile, and well-draining sandy loam. When growing potted osmanthus, it is recommended to mix 3 parts of decomposed leaf soil, 4 parts of garden soil, 3 parts of river sand soil, and a small amount of fermented organic fertilizer, or 2 parts of general nutrient soil + 1 part of garden soil + a small amount of fermented organic fertilizer mixed evenly before planting.
When potting, you can add fermented organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer at the bottom of the pot. It is recommended to pot with the original soil or remove the outer part of the original soil ball to expose the roots before planting (do not wash the roots). After planting, water thoroughly once, and if it is not watered through the first time, you can water 2-3 times continuously. After watering through, place it in a bright area with scattered light for 2-3 days to acclimate, then gradually increase the light exposure.
2. Maintain sufficient light
Osmanthus prefers an environment with plenty of light. When caring for potted plants, except for the initial acclimation period after potting, it is necessary to ensure at least 4 hours of direct sunlight during the growing period, ideally full sun. In the summer, you can shade the pot to cool down, and it's fine for the osmanthus tree not to be shaded. When growing osmanthus in a pot on an indoor balcony, make sure to open the windows for ventilation.
3. Water when the soil is dry
Many flower enthusiasts have difficulty growing potted osmanthus well, and a significant issue is watering. The watering requirement for osmanthus is to water when the soil is dry and to water thoroughly when watering. In daily maintenance, if the surface of the potting soil appears grayish-white, the surface feels hard to the touch, or the soil below the surface is dry within 2 cm, it indicates that watering is needed. Water should be poured until a large amount of water flows out from the bottom of the pot, and do not water halfway.
In the northern regions, where the soil is more alkaline, you can add a small amount of ferrous sulfate or citric acid to each watering to prevent the potting soil from becoming alkaline. Because after the potting soil becomes alkaline, osmanthus can easily develop iron deficiency yellow leaves, and severe cases can lead to withering.
For outdoor potted osmanthus, it is necessary to pay attention to drainage during consecutive rainy days to prevent waterlogging in the potting soil.
As autumn approaches and temperatures begin to drop, it is advisable to reduce watering slightly. Maintaining a moist environment for the soil and air before and after the potted osmanthus blooms is important. If the air is dry, it is recommended to spray more water on the leaves to increase the relative humidity, which is beneficial for the osmanthus to bud and bloom.
4. Fertilize appropriately to avoid fertilizer damage
Potted osmanthus begins to germinate in mid-March and quickly enters the vigorous growth period of new shoots. Therefore, it is recommended to apply an appropriate amount of fermented organic fertilizer and slow-release fertilizer and apply 1-2 times of balanced NPK compound fertilizer or soybean cake fertilizer after germination to make the new shoots grow robust and full, laying the foundation for flower bud differentiation.
How to cultivate an indoor osmanthus tree
In mid-to-late May, the leaves harden and the new shoots stop growing, entering a period of nutrient accumulation. At this time, it is recommended to focus on phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote flower bud differentiation. It is suggested to shallowly bury fermented organic fertilizer + bone meal or calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer to continuously provide nutrients for the osmanthus. Starting in August, add monopotassium phosphate fertilizer to each watering until blooming.
During the blooming period, osmanthus should stop applying additional fertilizer. After the blooming period, apply 1-2 times of balanced NPK compound fertilizer to promote the recovery of the osmanthus plant. As the temperature drops, you can apply 1-2 times of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer before winter to strengthen the osmanthus roots and lay the foundation for next year's blooming.
Precautions for managing potted osmanthus
1. Avoid using thick fertilizer.
Many flower enthusiasts do not master the amount of fertilizer for potted osmanthus, which can easily cause fertilizer damage. The principle of fertilizing potted osmanthus should be thin and frequent applications. If water-soluble fertilizer is not mastered, it is advisable to use more fermented organic fertilizer, which has a gentle effect and does not easily cause fertilizer damage. Using a small amount multiple times is fine, and water-soluble fertilizer is not necessary.
2. Avoid using raw fertilizer.
The tolerance of potted osmanthus to fertilizer is not strong, and unfermented raw fertilizer cannot be used, not even rice washing water before fermentation. Once fertilizer damage occurs, it is difficult to save.
3. Avoid sitting on fertilizer.
When potting potted osmanthus, the roots must not come into direct contact with the base fertilizer. The base fertilizer should be separated by soil, especially for bare-root osmanthus seedlings. When potting, be very careful. When top-dressing, do not place it directly on the roots but shallowly bury it around the pot edge.
4. Avoid not changing the pot for a long time
Potted osmanthus is recommended to change the potting soil every 2 years,剪除老根, and the potting time is more suitable in late October of each year or March in spring. At this time, the growth of osmanthus is slow, and the impact of repotting is relatively small.
The above introduction by Green Plant Enthusiast Network on how to cultivate an indoor osmanthus tree and the cultivation methods and precautions for osmanthus tree cultivation are detailed. I hope everyone will like it!