When to Sow Osmanthus? A Detailed Guide to the Best Sowing Time

The osmanthus flower has a graceful shape and a captivating fragrance, and is one of China's ten traditional famous flowers. Besides its ornamental value, it can also be used for making pastries, brewing tea, and more. In the south, many people grow it at their doorsteps. So, when should osmanthus be sown?

1. When should osmanthus be sown?

The sowing time for osmanthus is spring and autumn: spring is from February to May, and autumn is from October to November. The sowing time varies slightly by region. Osmanthus adapts to a subtropical climate and is mainly grown in the southwestern region of our country.

2. Cultivation Techniques for Osmanthus

1. Planting method

It should be planted in spring or autumn, and planting on an overcast or rainy day is best. Choose a ventilated, well-drained and warm location; either full sun or partial shade is acceptable. When transplanting, a soil ball must be formed to ensure the survival rate. The planting soil should be on the acidic side, and alkaline soil should be avoided. For potted osmanthus, the potting soil ratio is 2 parts leaf mold, 3 parts garden soil, 3 parts sandy soil, and 2 parts decomposed cake fertilizer. Mix them evenly, then pot up or repot, which can be done before spring budding.

2. Light and temperature

In areas south of the Yellow River basin, it can be grown outdoors and overwinter there. Potted plants should be moved indoors in winter and placed in a sunny spot so they receive direct sunlight fully, with the room temperature kept above 5°C but not exceeding 10°C. After budding in April of the following year, move them outdoors, first placing them in a wind-sheltered, sunny spot for care, and after stable growth gradually move them to a ventilated, sunny or partially shaded environment, then carry out normal management. Insufficient light during the growing period affects flower bud differentiation.

3. Watering and fertilizing

Before planting in the ground, grass ash and organic fertilizer should first be mixed into the planting hole, and after planting, water once thoroughly. Keep the soil moist before new shoots emerge, and do not water with fertilizer solution. Generally, apply a nitrogen fertilizer once in spring and a phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once in summer to promote abundant flowers and lush leaves, and apply an organic fertilizer once before winter for overwintering, mainly decomposed cake fertilizer and barnyard manure. Avoid concentrated fertilizer, and especially avoid human waste. Potted osmanthus should be placed in a low-temperature greenhouse in winter in the north; indoors, pay attention to ventilation and light transmission, and water less. After being moved out in April, the water amount can be appropriately increased, and during the peak growing season a suitable amount of diluted fertilizer water can be applied; during the flowering season, the fertilizer water can be slightly more concentrated.

4. Shaping and pruning

It depends on the tree: set the main framework well according to the tree's form, and remove other root suckers, overly dense branches, excessive water shoots, crossing branches, and diseased or weak branches to improve ventilation and light penetration. For trees that are strong on top and weak below, the upper branches can be cut back by 1/3 to make the overall tree vigor strong, and at the same time apply a wound-healing antiseptic film to the pruning cuts to protect the wounds.

Osmanthus is suitable for growing in a warm climate, so the planting time has always been in the warm spring and early autumn. In winter, attention should be paid to taking cold-proof and freeze-proof measures for it.