How to fertilize potted osmanthus? Read this article to understand the latest tips

Osmanthus is relatively tolerant of barren soil, but it also likes fertilizer, just not heavy or concentrated fertilizer, so you must master the techniques when fertilizing regularly, especially for potted osmanthus, which often requires more caution. If there are insufficient nutrients in the pot, it will inevitably affect its normal growth; but if you fertilize too much, especially excessively, it can easily cause fertilizer burn. So, what techniques should be mastered for fertilizing potted osmanthus? Today, the editor will share with you the fertilizing techniques for potted osmanthus.

First, we need to understand that potted osmanthus requires more attention to fertilizing management than ground-planted osmanthus, because ground-planted osmanthus can obtain more nutrients from the soil, making it easier to care for; while potted osmanthus can only use a certain amount of soil due to the limited space of the pot, and cannot obtain more nutrients through the soil. Therefore, potted osmanthus is stricter in fertilizing management than ground-planted osmanthus. Second, potted osmanthus has different nutrient requirements at different growth stages, so the topdressing methods also differ.

1. Apply sufficient base fertilizer

Generally, when we pot osmanthus, we need to apply enough base fertilizer at the bottom of the pot, usually mainly organic fertilizer, which can be sheep manure, or manure from other livestock and poultry, or sesame cake, bean cake, etc. In short, base fertilizer should preferably use farm organic fertilizer, which can be buried at the bottom of the pot or mixed into the potting soil, but do not let the fertilizer directly contact the plant's roots.

2. Apply compound fertilizer

During the growing season of osmanthus, not only is sufficient nutrient supply required, but elements also must not be lacking. Generally, a compound fertilizer of the three elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is suitable. You can first prepare a large container, put an appropriate amount of clean water in it, then place the compound fertilizer into the water, and mix it according to the appropriate ratio to make a liquid fertilizer to water the osmanthus. But when fertilizing, apply thin fertilizer frequently, and do not take in too much fertilizer at once to avoid causing root burn.

3. Foliar topdressing

For fertilizing osmanthus, root topdressing is generally the main method, but it can be combined with foliar topdressing. Foliar topdressing has the characteristics of good absorption effect and quick results, and is mostly used to promote flowering and leaf growth, making osmanthus bloom more and more fragrant, and the leaves more oily green and thick, so the ornamental value of potted plants is naturally higher. Spraying foliar fertilizer is generally done when leaves begin to spread in spring, once every week, for three consecutive sprays; at the same time, near the flowering period, a little potassium dihydrogen phosphate can also be sprayed to promote flowering.

4. Alternate fertilizing

For fertilizing potted osmanthus, it is generally recommended to alternate self-made decomposed fertilizer with compound fertilizer, for better plant growth results. We can use peanut beans, fish intestines, etc. to compost into decomposed fertilizer, letting it fully ferment, so it is safer to use. When fertilizing, dissolve and dilute the homemade fertilizer or compound fertilizer into fertilizer liquid, then rotate and alternate for topdressing.

5. Do not apply raw fertilizer

No matter what flower or plant it is, the consequences of applying raw fertilizer are relatively serious. Because raw fertilizer that has not been composted and decomposed, if applied directly, will release a large amount of heat during fermentation in the pot, thereby burning the plant's roots. Raw fertilizer is mainly organic fertilizer that has not been fermented and decomposed, and generally needs to be composted in advance, letting it fully decompose, to avoid it fermenting and heating up in the pot. Of course, self-made fertilizer may have a relatively strong odor, and yogurt can be used to remove the smell.