When is the best time to prune osmanthus, and what is the optimal pruning period for osmanthus?

When is the best time to prune osmanthus

Today's tip sharing: Let's learn about the best time to prune osmanthus, a topic on green plant and flower cultivation.

When is the best time to prune osmanthus

Osmanthus can be pruned in March-April of spring. Remove withered, old, weak branches and leaves, and剪 off the top 3-5cm of the main branches along with new buds. In October-November, after flowering,剪 off all remaining flowers and diseased branches. In January-February of winter, prune away any overly long, dense branches and trim long branches.

Overview of Osmanthus

Osmanthus flowers throughout the year with a strong fragrance, especially aromatic in summer and autumn, and slightly fragrant in spring and winter. It prefers warm, humid, and sunny environments, is shade-tolerant, and has some cold resistance but not to severe cold. It is suitable for planting in sandy soil that is high and dry, rich in humus, fertile, moist, and well-drained.

Osmanthus Pruning Time

Early spring pruning: In early spring, when osmanthus produces new buds, around March-April, a pruning can be done. Remove withered, old, weak branches and leaves, and剪 off the top 3-5cm of the main branches along with new buds. In October-November, after flowering,剪 off all remaining flowers and diseased branches.

Winter pruning: In winter, when osmanthus enters a dormant period and grows slowly, it is less likely to be damaged by pruning. In January-February, prune away overly long, dense branches and trim long branches, which is beneficial for its growth in the following year.

Osmanthus Pruning Method

When pruning young osmanthus trees, keep a main stem of 50-60cm and 3-5 lateral branches, and cut off the rest. Pruning young trees not only ensures nutrition but also lays the foundation for the beautiful shape of the osmanthus. Proper pruning can make osmanthus bloom earlier and have good ornamental value in the initial stage.

The top of osmanthus is very dominant, with the main stem growing faster than the lateral branches. Therefore, the main stem should be pruned heavily, while the lateral branches should be pruned lightly or not at all. In addition,剪 off any diseased, dense, overly long, and inner branches to make the osmanthus lush and beautiful. For mature osmanthus, no major pruning is necessary, only appropriate shaping pruning to maintain an elegant tree shape.

Osmanthus has a strong germination ability, and old stumps should also be pruned. The pruning method is similar to that of mature trees. Additionally, old stumps need to be pruned back every 2-3 years, usually 10 days before the early spring germination. Before pruning, apply a mixture of 5% urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer. During pruning, cut off 2-3-year-old branches and dense branches, ensuring smooth pruning cuts.

Osmanthus Pruning Precautions

After pruning osmanthus, it is essential to water and fertilize promptly because osmanthus needs to grow new buds, which consume a lot of nutrients. Insufficient nutrients will result in weak and thin buds, and may cause leaf deformities. Choose a multi-element fertilizer for this purpose.

The above comprehensive introduction to the best time to prune osmanthus is brought to you, hoping to provide green plant enthusiasts with some relevant knowledge.