How to fertilize osmanthus trees and when to graft osmanthus trees

Osmanthus is one of the ten traditional famous flowers, and it is also a relatively common flowering plant. In the past, osmanthus was an important raw material used by people to make pastries. Nowadays, the characteristics of osmanthus, being evergreen in all four seasons and having a sweet and elegant floral fragrance, make it an indispensable part of home flower cultivation. In order to make osmanthus grow stronger, fertilizing it is a key step.

How to fertilize osmanthus trees

1. Choosing fertilizer

At different growth stages, osmanthus also needs different fertilizers applied. Overall, it needs phosphorus fertilizer, nitrogen fertilizer, potassium fertilizer, and a mixed fertilizer of phosphorus fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer.

2. Fertilization periods

In early March, because osmanthus is in the period of growing branches and buds, it needs a large amount of fertilizer. During this period, applying nitrogen fertilizer to osmanthus helps the growth of new branches and buds, makes flower buds grow quickly, and helps flowering.

3. Fertilization methods at different periods

After late May, because the branches and leaves of osmanthus have already grown mature, osmanthus needs to accumulate nutrients. At this time, phosphorus fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer should be applied to osmanthus. After October, because osmanthus will continue to grow and needs nutrients for photosynthesis, during this period a mixed fertilizer of phosphorus and potassium mainly based on nitrogen should be added. After winter begins, osmanthus should be moved indoors for care. After moving it indoors, cake fertilizer should be applied to the surface of the soil to let osmanthus overwinter.

4. Care after fertilization

After fertilizing osmanthus, water it with enough water and place it in a warm place with sunlight.

5. Precautions

Be careful not to fertilize in high-temperature weather. High-temperature weather will make the fertilizer hot, and osmanthus is not suitable for the application of heated fertilizer, so avoid fertilizing in high-temperature weather. It is best to fertilize in the evening when the temperature drops.

Do not apply concentrated fertilizer to osmanthus. When applying fertilizer, only a small amount of fertilizer with more water is needed. Do not apply raw fertilizer to osmanthus; use fertilizer that has already decomposed, otherwise it will burn the roots of osmanthus. Each time you fertilize, do not apply the fertilizer directly on the roots, to avoid burning the root system and affecting the growth of osmanthus.

When to graft osmanthus trees

Grafting osmanthus trees is better in early spring, generally carried out from April to June. Whether they survive can be determined in the same year, which is helpful for management. Osmanthus can also be grafted in autumn; skilled grafters have a relatively high survival rate.

How to make osmanthus trees grow well

1. Give water appropriately

First, water appropriately. Remember the principle of not watering if the soil is not dry, and watering thoroughly when you do water. Spray water on the leaf surface every day. In the hot midsummer, you must water in the morning and evening, so that the plant does not lack water. In winter, water around noon. The water temperature should be close to the soil temperature, and do not let it go from cold to hot suddenly. Note that there must be no standing water in the pot.

2. Supplement fertilizer in time

Fertilize reasonably. Since it is grown for the purpose of viewing flowers, it should be given plenty of fertilizer. When new branches emerge, apply 1-2 times of urea. After the flower budding stage and before flowering, phosphorus fertilizer should be the main type used. Before using fertilizer, the soil should be somewhat dry. It is best to loosen the soil so the flowers can absorb it better, and then water once after a day.

3. Change pots and soil on time

Every 2 to 3 years, change the pot and prepare some new soil, remove some old roots and withered roots, so as to avoid the loss of unnecessary nutrients. At the bottom of the flower pot, a layer of charcoal residue or roof tiles can be placed to facilitate air and drainage. Oil-pressed residue cake can be put in as a base fertilizer. When changing pots, spread the soil evenly and firm it down.

4. Prune it into a good shape

Pruning and shaping. Shaping generally adopts a method combining shaping and pruning, and it is best carried out after autumn. For trees with a poor shape, most of the top branches can be cut off at the 2/3 or 3/4 point. Plants with too many branches also need thinning by pruning. After flowering, old, weak, diseased, and pest-damaged branches need to be cut off.

5. Care methods for overwintering

Then overwintering management. When overwintering indoors, the temperature should be kept at 0-5°C, and the humidity should be kept at 50-80%. In winter, indoor light exposure is very important, especially in early spring before the buds revive. Sufficient sunlight is for the second year; after late spring, move the potted plant outdoors.

How to water osmanthus

1. Time

In spring and summer, water frequently in high-temperature weather. Watering must be done before 10 a.m. every day. In the dry and cold winter season, reduce the amount of watering.

2. Water quality

When watering osmanthus, ordinary tap water is enough, but the water should be placed in the sun for two or three hours. Water temperature: in order to keep the water temperature consistent with the soil temperature and prevent the water temperature from being lower than the soil temperature and harming the roots, it is best to water before 10 a.m. In short, it is enough for the water temperature to differ as little as possible from the day's air temperature.

3. Operation

Because the seasons are different, the water requirement will also be different, so when watering, the amount of water should be measured according to the season. Summer is the hottest, so in summer watering should be done before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., and it can be done twice a day. When watering, pour slowly, or water by spraying. If high-temperature weather occurs, spray water on the leaves of osmanthus to keep the plant moist. After watering, it is best to loosen the soil to help the roots absorb enough water and promote growth.

4. Precautions

The time of watering should be before 10 a.m., and the water temperature should be ensured to be similar to the day's air temperature. Also note that it is enough to ensure the humidity of the soil; do not let water accumulate, so as to avoid root rot. In summer and just after planting, water frequently. In particular, newly planted seedlings should be watered thoroughly to promote the growth of the seedlings.

Osmanthus prefers a warm and humid growing environment, and its soil requirement is well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic sandy soil, because the growth of osmanthus requires more sufficient nutrients than ordinary flowering plants. Flower lovers need to pay more attention to this when cultivating it.