What to Do When Osmanthus Tree Leaves Dry Up? Causes and Solutions
Osmanthus is one of the top ten traditional flowers in our country and a common flower in landscaping. It originated in our country, stays evergreen through all four seasons, and has a delicate fragrance. Since ancient times it has been an important spice and a frequent subject for writers and scholars. During the cultivation of osmanthus trees, leaf drying often occurs due to care issues. Let us take a look below at what to do when osmanthus tree leaves dry up!
Overwatering
[Cause] When osmanthus is overwatered, water accumulates in the pot and the soil stays wet for a long time, causing a lack of oxygen in the soil. This leads to rot of some fibrous roots, which weakens the ability to absorb water and nutrients. As a result, young leaves turn pale yellow, and the leaves gradually turn dark yellow and scorched.
[Solution] Watering should be controlled immediately, fertilizing stopped, and the soil loosened frequently so that the potting soil is well aerated. In severe cases, the entire root ball needs to be removed from the pot and placed in a pile of dry soil so that moisture seeps out quickly. Once the drooping branches and leaves recover, replant it in the pot.
Underwatering
[Cause] When osmanthus is watered too little, or receives only half-watering or missed watering for a long time, the leaves lose water faster than they can absorb it, causing a water shortage. This also causes leaves to turn yellow and leaf tips to scorch; in severe cases, the leaf stalks droop and appear wilted.
[Solution] Move the pot to a cool place at once, spray some water on the leaf surface and water lightly. Later, as the stems and leaves gradually regain their upright form, gradually increase the amount of water. If too much water is given suddenly at this point, it may cause plasmolysis, damage the protoplasm, and cause the plant to die.
Overfertilizing
[Cause] When osmanthus is overfertilized, especially with too much nitrogen fertilizer and a lack of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, the leaves easily turn yellow. This appears as new leaves that are thick and mostly uneven on the surface, while old leaves gradually turn yellow and fall off. In severe cases, leaf tips dry up, and even entire leaves become scorched yellow.
[Solution] Stop fertilizing, increase watering so the fertilizer flows out through the drainage holes, or immediately repot, remove part of the old soil, rinse the root ball with water, replace part of it with new potting soil, and replant the plant in the pot.
Insufficient Fertilizing
[Cause] When osmanthus is underfertilized, especially when nitrogen fertilizer has not been applied for a long time or the potting soil has not been changed, the soil lacks nitrogen nutrition. This leads to weak branches and leaves, thin and yellow leaves, and scorched leaf tips.
[Solution] Repot promptly: take the plant out, switch to a pot one size larger, fill it with new loose and fertile potting soil, and replant it properly. After watering thoroughly, place it in partial shade to recover. Once growth resumes, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer.
Soil Too Alkaline
[Cause] Osmanthus prefers acidic soil. Because most areas in the north have soil with a relatively high salt and alkali content, after being grown for a period of time it gradually loses green color and turns yellow due to a lack of soluble iron that the plant can absorb.
[Solution] Apply 0.2% ferrous sulfate solution at intervals, and alternately apply 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, so that the “alkaline yellowing” is cured. At the same time, potassium dihydrogen phosphate also contains phosphorus and potassium, which helps flower bud differentiation and improves flower quality.