How to care for indoor osmanthus tree potted plants
The editor introduces you to the experience of caring for indoor osmanthus tree potted plants and the correct method of caring for family osmanthus trees in terms of green plant maintenance. Next, the editor will introduce accordingly.
Osmanthus is one of the top ten famous traditional Chinese flowers. When it blooms, it has a fragrant aroma and stays green all year round, making it an excellent garden species. Many flower enthusiasts also like to grow osmanthus in pots at home, but often encounter yellow leaves and withering. Today, Lan Yao will focus on introducing the key points of managing potted osmanthus, hoping it will be helpful to you.
Key Points for Managing Potted Osmanthus
Managing osmanthus grown in the ground is very simple and easy to plant, but to ensure that potted osmanthus grows well and blooms with a fragrance, Lan Yao suggests focusing on the following points.
1. Loosely fertile potting soil
Osmanthus grows best in deep, loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy loam. When potting osmanthus, it is recommended to mix three parts of decomposed leaf soil, four parts of garden soil, three parts of river sand soil, and a small amount of fermented organic fertilizer, or two parts of general nutrient soil, one part of garden soil, and a small amount of fermented organic fertilizer.
When potting, you can add fermented organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer at the bottom of the pot. It is recommended to pot with the original soil or remove the outer part of the original soil ball to expose the roots before planting (do not wash the roots). After planting, water thoroughly once and, if not watered thoroughly, water 2-3 times in a row. After watering, place in a bright area with scattered light for 2-3 days to acclimate, then gradually increase sunlight exposure.
2. Maintain adequate sunlight
Osmanthus enjoys a sunny environment. When caring for potted plants, except for the acclimation period after potting, ensure at least 4 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season, preferably full sun. In the summer, shade the pot to cool down, but it's fine if the osmanthus tree is not shaded. When growing osmanthus in a pot on an indoor balcony, make sure to open the windows for ventilation.
3. Water only when the soil is dry
Many flower enthusiasts fail to grow potted osmanthus well, and the main problem is often related to watering. Water osmanthus only when the soil is dry and water thoroughly when you do. Normally, if the surface of the potting soil turns grayish-white, feels hard when touched, or the top 2cm below the surface is dry, it's time to water. Water until a large amount of water flows out of the bottom of the pot, and avoid watering halfway.
In northern regions, where the soil is more alkaline, you can add a small amount of ferrous sulfate or citric acid to each watering to prevent soil alkalization. Alkaline soil can cause iron deficiency yellowing in osmanthus, which can lead to withering.
For outdoor potted osmanthus, be sure to排水 during continuous rainy days to prevent waterlogging.
Before flowering in autumn, as temperatures begin to drop, reduce watering appropriately. Keeping the soil and air moist around the flowering period is important. If the air is dry, it is recommended to spray more water on the leaves to increase relative humidity, which is beneficial for osmanthus bud formation and flowering.
4. Fertilize appropriately to avoid fertilizer damage
Potted osmanthus begins to germinate in mid-to-late 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 after germination, apply 1-2 times of balanced NPK compound fertilizer or soybean cake fertilizer water to make the new shoots grow sturdy and full, laying the foundation for flower bud differentiation.
How to Care for Indoor Osmanthus Tree Potted Plants
In late May to early June, the leaves harden, new shoots stop growing, and enter the nutrient accumulation period. It is recommended to use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote flower bud differentiation. It is suggested to shallowly bury fermented organic fertilizer + bone meal or calcium magnesium phosphorus fertilizer to continuously provide nutrients for osmanthus. From August, add monopotassium phosphate fertilizer to each watering until flowering.
During the flowering period, stop applying additional fertilizer. After the flowering period, apply 1-2 times of balanced NPK compound fertilizer water to promote the recovery of the osmanthus plant. As temperatures decrease, apply 1-2 times of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers before winter to strengthen the roots of the osmanthus and lay the foundation for flowering next year.
Points to Consider When Managing Potted Osmanthus
1. Avoid using concentrated fertilizers.
Many flower enthusiasts do not control the amount of fertilizer well and easily cause fertilizer damage. When fertilizing potted osmanthus, 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 milder effect and are less likely to cause fertilizer damage. Using them in small, frequent doses is also fine without 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 osmanthus, the roots must not come into direct contact with the base fertilizer. The base fertilizer should be separated by soil, especially for bare-rooted osmanthus seedlings. When applying topdressings, do not place them directly on the roots but shallowly bury them around the pot edge.
4. Avoid not repotting for a long time.
It is recommended to change the potting soil of potted osmanthus every two years, cut off the old roots, and the best time for repotting is in late October or March of the following year. At this time, the growth of osmanthus is slow, and the impact of repotting is minimal.
The detailed explanation of how to care for indoor osmanthus tree potted plants and the correct method of caring for family osmanthus trees, hoping this article can bring you help in green plant management!