How to maintain Osmanthus trees to make them bloom more
About these, do you know? Knowledge about how to maintain Osmanthus trees to make them bloom more and the cultivation methods and precautions for potted Osmanthus trees, detailed content will be shared next.
Osmanthus is an evergreen shrub, and its flowers have a strong and long-lasting fragrance when in bloom. Planting it in a pot on the balcony of a home or in the patio of a courtyard can fill the entire garden with fragrance; breaking a branch and placing it in a vase in the living room, bedroom, study, or dining room, the sweet fragrance is pleasing and refreshing, increasing one's appetite.
Osmanthus is also one of the top ten famous flowers in China and has been loved by people since ancient times. As the poem goes, "Osmanthus seeds fall in the moon, and their fragrance drifts beyond the clouds." This shows how intoxicating the fragrance and charm of Osmanthus are! Therefore, with the expanding group of flower enthusiasts, the fragrance of Osmanthus spreads for miles and has captured people's deep affection. More and more flower lovers have started to cultivate Osmanthus at home.
So how to cultivate Osmanthus? What issues need attention in cultivation? These may not be clear to everyone. Today, let's share some knowledge about cultivating Osmanthus.
1. Selection of cultivation soil. Osmanthus prefers a warm and humid growing environment and the selected cultivation soil should be fertile, loose, and well-draining, with slightly acidic loamy soil being the best. It is most disliked for the soil to be sticky and high in alkalinity. For potted cultivation of Osmanthus at home, a mixture of peat soil, garden soil, and vermiculite rich in organic matter can be used to prepare the cultivation soil. It is more suitable to choose a clay or ceramic pot with a diameter of 20~30 centimeters and a depth of 35~40 centimeters for planting.
2. Requirements for light and temperature. The suitable growth temperature for Osmanthus is around 18~28 degrees, and it does not tolerate severe cold. In the northern regions, measures must be taken to protect against frost in winter, otherwise, the leaves will freeze and affect the following year's growth. Osmanthus enjoys sunlight and also adapts to semi-shaded environments. It is important to avoid direct sunlight, especially during the strong midday sun in summer when shade treatment is necessary.
3. How to water and fertilize. Osmanthus prefers moisture but dislikes waterlogging. Watering should be done when the surface of the potting soil is dry, and the soil is slightly moist 2 centimeters below the surface. However, avoid water accumulation in the pot. During the growing period, the soil should be kept moist, and the leaves can be sprayed with water frequently, but less watering should be done during the flowering period. Osmanthus enjoys fertilizer, and thin fertilizer should be applied every 7~10 days during the growing period, mainly using nitrogen fertilizer. Apply a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer once in summer to promote lush flowers and leaves.
4. How to prune Osmanthus branches. Pruning the branches of Osmanthus to reduce their density can save many nutrients and promote the healthy growth of the remaining branches. However, it is important to note that excessive pruning during flowering can damage the vitality of the Osmanthus and affect the following year's blooming.
5. How to prevent and treat diseases and pests. Osmanthus is prone to leaf spot disease, leaf blight, and sootycrust disease, which can cause early defoliation and weaken the plant's nutritional supply during growth, thus reducing the ornamental value of Osmanthus. For home potted Osmanthus, it is important to remove diseased leaves promptly, improve ventilation and lighting, and reduce leaf moisture to prevent the spread of diseases. At the initial stage of the disease, a fungicide such as carbendazim can be used, sprayed at a ratio of 1:800. For pest infestations like red spiders, miticides can be used for foliar spraying, with both sides of the leaves sprayed repeatedly 2~3 times to thoroughly eliminate the pests.
6. How to propagate Osmanthus. The cutting propagation of Osmanthus can be carried out before the spring sprouting, selecting one-year-old healthy branches, cutting them to 5~10 centimeters long, removing the lower leaves, and retaining 2~3 green leaves at the top, then inserting them into the culture medium, which can be river sand, coconut bran, vermiculite, etc. Before inserting, moisten the culture medium, then proceed with the insertion. After inserting, seal the pot opening with plastic wrap, keep the medium slightly moist, place it in a shaded area for maintenance, and always ensure an ambient temperature of 20~25 degrees. After about 2 months, they can be transplanted with soil clumps into a pot of your choice.
The above is a specific introduction to the maintenance of Osmanthus trees to make them bloom more and the cultivation methods and precautions for potted Osmanthus trees. I hope it brings some knowledge of flowers to green plant enthusiasts.