How to grow potted osmanthus to make it thrive
The editor answers how to grow potted osmanthus to make it thrive and shares some knowledge about the maintenance tips for potted osmanthus. These are great gardening tips, recommended for collection!
Osmanthus is an evergreen shrub that emits a fragrant aroma when in bloom. Planting it in a pot on the balcony or in the courtyard of a house can fill the entire garden with its fragrance. Breaking off branches to place in vases in the living room, bedroom, study, or dining room can fill these spaces with a sweet scent, refreshing the mood and increasing appetite.
Osmanthus is also one of China's top ten famous flowers and has been loved by people since ancient times, as evidenced by the poem: "Osmanthus seeds fall in the moon, celestial fragrance drifts beyond the clouds." The rich aroma of osmanthus is indeed captivating. With the growing number of flower enthusiasts, the fragrance of osmanthus travels far and wide, deeply cherished by people. More and more gardening lovers are starting to grow osmanthus at home.
So how to cultivate osmanthus? What issues should be considered in its cultivation? These may not be clear to everyone. Today, let's share some knowledge about growing osmanthus.
1. Selection of cultivation soil. Osmanthus prefers a warm and humid growing environment and the best soil for cultivation is fertile, loose, and slightly acidic, with good drainage and aeration. Avoid using soil with high clay content or high alkalinity. For potted 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 suitable to plant in clay or ceramic pots with a diameter of 20-30 centimeters and a depth of 35-40 centimeters.
2. Requirements for light and temperature. The optimal growth temperature for osmanthus is around 18-28 degrees Celsius and it does not tolerate severe cold. In northern regions, it is necessary to protect osmanthus from frost in winter, otherwise, the leaves may freeze and affect the growth in the following year. Osmanthus enjoys sunlight but also adapts well to semi-shaded environments. Avoid direct sunlight exposure, and during the hot midday sun in summer, appropriate shading is needed.
3. How to water and fertilize. Osmanthus enjoys moisture but dislikes waterlogging. Watering should be done when the surface of the potting soil is dry, and the soil 2 centimeters below the surface is slightly moist. However, avoid water accumulation in the pot. During the growing period, the soil should be kept moist, and it is advisable to spray water on the leaves frequently, but less watering is required during the flowering period. Osmanthus enjoys fertilizer, with a thin application every 7-10 days during the growing period, mainly using nitrogen fertilizer. Apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once in summer to promote lush growth.
4. How to prune osmanthus. Pruning the branches of osmanthus to reduce their density can save many nutrients and promote healthy growth of the remaining branches. However, care should be taken not to prune too much during flowering, as this may damage the plant's vitality and affect flowering the following year.
How to grow potted osmanthus to make it thrive
5. How to prevent and control diseases and pests. Osmanthus is prone to leaf spot disease, leaf blight, and sootycrust disease, which can cause premature defoliation and weaken the plant's nutritional supply during growth, thus reducing its ornamental value. For potted osmanthus at home, it is necessary to remove diseased leaves promptly, enhance ventilation and light, reduce leaf surface moisture to prevent the spread of diseases. In the early stages of the disease, a fungicide such as carbendazim can be used, diluted 1:800 for spraying. For pest infestations like spider mites, miticides can be used for foliar spraying, ensuring both sides of the leaves are treated, with repeated applications 2-3 times to completely eradicate the pests.
6. How to propagate osmanthus. Osmanthus propagation by cuttings can be done before spring sprouting, selecting one-year-old healthy branches, cutting 5-10 centimeters long, removing the lower leaves, retaining 2-3 green leaves at the top, and inserting them into the culture medium, which can be river sand, coconut bran, or vermiculite. Before planting, moisten the culture medium and then proceed with the cutting. After planting, seal the pot opening with plastic wrap, keep the medium slightly moist, and place it in a shaded area for care, ensuring a constant temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius. After about two months, the cuttings can be transplanted with soil into the desired pot.
The above sharing on how to grow potted osmanthus to make it thrive and the maintenance tips for potted osmanthus are hoping to provide you with some help after reading this article!