Caring for Potted Osmanthus
Sharing some tips for caring for the woody flower osmanthus, the method of caring for potted osmanthus. Corrections are welcome if there are any mistakes!
Osmanthus thrives in a warm, humid environment with moderate sunlight, good ventilation, and protection from wind. It grows well in fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, is heat-tolerant, and has some cold resistance. The optimal temperature for growth is between 25°C and 28°C, temperatures above 30°C slightly affect growth, and temperatures below -6°C may cause frost damage. Osmanthus enjoys fertilizer, and during the growing season, it should be fertilized with a dilute, decomposed liquid fertilizer every 7 to 10 days, and dry fertilizer should be applied before and after flowering. Throughout the growing period, more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied. Potted osmanthus needs to be repotted once a year before sprouting in the spring, and dense or aging fibrous roots should be pruned appropriately. It is best to place it in a well-ventilated and sunny area from April to September.
In daily management, the following five points should be noted:
One, avoid overwatering. The water management of potted osmanthus is challenging. Too much watering often causes excessive growth, and poor drainage or waterlogging in the pot can easily cause root rot. Therefore, it is important not to overwater during daily maintenance, even during the flowering period when water is needed, it is important to avoid overly wet soil. Accumulated water in the pot should be drained promptly after rain, and watering should be controlled during the flowering period to prevent severe flower drop. In case of rainy autumn weather, the pot should be moved to a sheltered area inside the balcony or under a corridor immediately, and during the intervals between rainy periods, the plant should be exposed to more sunlight.
Two, do not over-shade. Osmanthus is a long-day plant that enjoys strong light. If the plant does not receive sufficient sunlight during the growing period, it will lead to excessive growth of stems and leaves, affecting the formation of flower buds, resulting in no flowering.
Three, maintain adequate nutrients. Not repotting or changing soil for potted osmanthus for a long time can lead to insufficient nutrition for the plant, with the roots tangled and unable to spread, affecting flowering. Therefore, it is best to repot potted osmanthus every 1 to 2 years and apply a small amount of hoof slices as a base fertilizer, with more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers applied throughout the growing period.
Four, strengthen winter care. After moving indoors in winter, it should be placed in a low-temperature area to allow it to hibernate so that it can grow robustly and bloom profusely the following year. If the room temperature is high, the osmanthus will not get enough rest, causing it to sprout and unfold leaves prematurely, resulting in weak branches and consuming a lot of nutrients. After being moved outside in spring, it may wither and die in dry winds.
Too much watering in winter or insufficient light in the placement area can easily cause the plant to shed a lot of leaves, affecting flowering the following year.
Five, prevent pollution from soot. Osmanthus is not tolerant of soot. Allowing it to grow in a polluted area will result in poor growth, smaller leaves that are prone to falling, and little or no flowering.
The above is a detailed introduction to the method of caring for potted osmanthus, hoping to bring some floral knowledge to flower enthusiasts.