How to grow osmanthus trees well
The editor will answer how to grow osmanthus trees well and share some small experiences in plant cultivation, including maintenance and management methods. Next, the editor will introduce.
Osmanthus is one of the top ten famous traditional flowers in China. When in bloom, it has a fragrant aroma and is evergreen throughout the year, making it an excellent garden species. Many flower enthusiasts also enjoy growing osmanthus in pots at home, but often encounter yellow leaves and withering. Today, Lan Yao will focus on introducing the key management points for potted osmanthus, hoping it will be helpful to you.
Key Points for Managing Potted Osmanthus
Growing osmanthus in the ground is very simple and easy, but to ensure that potted osmanthus grows well and blooms fragrantly, Lan Yao suggests focusing on the following points.
1. Loose and fertile potting soil
Osmanthus grows best in deep, loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy loam. When potting 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 universal nutrient soil + 1 part of garden soil + a small amount of fermented organic fertilizer mixed evenly.
When potting, you can add fermented organic fertilizer to the bottom of the pot as a base fertilizer. It is recommended to pot with the original soil or remove the outer part of the original soil ball to expose the roots (do not wash the roots). After planting, water thoroughly once, and if it is not watered thoroughly at once, you can water 2-3 times continuously. After watering thoroughly, place it in a bright area with scattered light for 2-3 days to slow down the seedlings, then gradually increase the light.
2. Maintain sufficient light
Osmanthus loves a well-lit environment. When maintaining potted osmanthus, except for the initial period of slow acclimatization after potting, it is necessary to ensure at least 4 hours of direct sunlight during the growing period, preferably full sun. In summer, you can shade the pot to cool it down, but it's okay if the osmanthus tree is not shaded. When growing osmanthus in pots on a室内阳台, make sure to open the windows for ventilation.
3. Water only when the soil is dry
Many flower enthusiasts have difficulty growing potted osmanthus well, and a significant problem is watering. The watering requirement for osmanthus is to water only when the soil is dry and to water thoroughly. Usually, if the surface of the potting soil turns grayish-white, feels hard to the touch, or the soil below the surface 2cm is dry, it indicates that watering is needed. Watering should be done until a large amount of water flows out from the bottom of the pot, and do not water halfway.
In northern regions, due to the high alkalinity of the soil, a small amount of ferrous sulfate or citric acid can be added to each watering to prevent the soil from becoming alkaline. Alkaline soil can cause iron deficiency yellowing in osmanthus, and in severe cases, it can wither.
For outdoor potted osmanthus, it is important to pay attention to drainage during continuous rainy days to prevent waterlogging.
As autumn approaches and temperatures begin to drop, it is advisable to reduce watering slightly. Maintaining a moist soil and air environment around the pot when the osmanthus is about to bloom is important. If the air is dry, it is recommended to spray the leaves more often to increase the relative humidity, which is beneficial for osmanthus bud formation and blooming.
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. It is recommended to apply an appropriate amount of fermented organic fertilizer and slow-release fertilizer and apply 1-2 times of balanced compound fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium after germination, or apply urine and soybean cake fertilizer water to make the new shoots grow strong and full, laying the foundation for flower bud differentiation.
How to grow osmanthus trees well
In mid-to-late May, the leaves harden, the new shoots stop growing, and the plant enters the nutrient accumulation period. It is recommended to use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote flower bud differentiation. Slightly 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 flowering period, osmanthus should stop applying top dressing. After the flowering period, 1-2 applications of balanced compound fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can be applied to promote the recovery of the osmanthus plant. As the temperature drops, 1-2 applications of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can be applied before winter to strengthen the osmanthus roots and lay the foundation for next year's flowering.
Points to Consider When Managing Potted Osmanthus
1. Avoid using concentrated fertilizers.
Many flower enthusiasts have difficulty controlling the amount of fertilizer for potted osmanthus, which can easily cause fertilizer damage. Fertilizing potted osmanthus should follow the principle of applying thin fertilizers frequently. If water-soluble fertilizers are not easy to control, you can use more fermented organic fertilizers, which have a gentle effect and are less likely to cause fertilizer damage. Using a small amount multiple times is also acceptable without using water-soluble fertilizers.
2. Avoid using raw fertilizers.
The tolerance of potted osmanthus to fertilizers is not strong, and raw fertilizers that have not been fermented should not be used, not even rice washing water before fermentation. Once fertilizer damage occurs, it is difficult to save the plant.
3. Avoid direct contact with fertilizer.
When potting potted osmanthus, the roots should not come into direct contact with the bottom fertilizer. The bottom fertilizer should be separated by soil, especially for bare-rooted osmanthus seedlings. When top-dressing, it should not be placed directly on the roots but should be buried shallowly around the pot edge.
4. Avoid not changing the pot for a long time.
Potted osmanthus is recommended to be repotted every 2 years, removing old roots. The best time for repotting is in late October or March of the following year, when osmanthus growth is slow, and the impact of repotting is minimal.
The above is a comprehensive introduction on how to grow osmanthus trees well and the maintenance and management methods, hoping to provide green plant enthusiasts with some relevant knowledge.