How Do You Propagate an Osmanthus Tree? How Much Does a Sapling Cost?

Osmanthus trees are planted across a very wide range in China; their flowers can be used for tea and pastries, and the trees can serve as landscape trees. They are excellent garden trees that combine ornamental value with practical use. So how do you propagate an osmanthus tree? How much does a sapling cost?

How do you propagate an osmanthus tree?

Osmanthus trees can be propagated by two methods, cuttings and layering. The detailed methods are as follows:

1. Osmanthus cutting propagation

(1) The key to cutting propagation is the choice of cuttings. You can cut sturdy semi-mature branches to use as softwood cuttings. You can also cut mature branches to use as hardwood cuttings.

(2) When selecting cuttings, avoid using water sprouts, slender branches, inner-canopy branches and diseased branches. The cutting should be 8-12 cm long; remove the tender tip and keep 2 small leaves at the top. Insert immediately after cutting, to a depth of 2/5 of the total length, then firm the soil and water thoroughly once.

(3) After cuttings are inserted they must not be exposed to the sun; a shade frame needs to be set up, and in dry weather they should also be misted with a sprayer 1-2 times a day.

2. Osmanthus layering propagation

(1) Air layering can be done in all four seasons, but it is better to do it before bud break in spring. From a vigorous mother plant of a good variety, choose a 2-3 year old branch and girdle the bark, with a cut width of about 2 cm; take a bamboo tube and split it open, line it with a layer of sandy moist potting soil, wrap it completely around the girdled part of the branch, wrap the outside well with plastic film, then tie it with a strap. After 1 month the wound heals, and after 3 months new roots grow from the cambium at the cut.

(2) Ground layering, also called trench layering or simple layering, is best done in April-June or August-September (when the temperature is 25°C-30°C). On a branch near the base, cut the bark 1-2 cm long and bend it down to the ground, pile 7-8 cm of soil over the wounded branch, firm it, and water often to keep it moist; roots will form in about 3 months.

How much does an osmanthus sapling cost?

Generally, prices for osmanthus saplings vary with variety, place of origin, size and purchase quantity. For example:

1. At the Changsha Yuhua sapling wholesale base, a four-season osmanthus with a tree height of 2 m, a tree age of 4 years and a trunk diameter of 4 cm costs 80 yuan each;

2. At the Shuyang County nursery, a 3-year-old potted strong-fragrance osmanthus sapling with a plant height of 60-80 cm costs 16 yuan each;

3. Below is a reference price table for osmanthus trees of different sizes from a nursery in Suqian, Jiangsu:

To grow osmanthus trees well, good saplings are important; if you want to buy some, be sure to choose a legitimate sapling company or nursery to avoid being cheated.