How to Grow Potted Pittosporum? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods

Pittosporum is also known as Qilixiang, Baozhuxiang, Shanruixiang, etc. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Pittosporum in the family Pittosporaceae, reaching up to 6 m tall, with young branches covered in brown soft hairs, and umbel inflorescences or corymbose umbel inflorescences terminal or nearly terminal. It can usually be planted as a hedge, and can also be planted singly or in clumps at the edge of grass, at the forest edge, or beside gates, or planted in rows along roadsides. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods for potted pittosporum!

Growth Habits of Pittosporum

It has strong adaptability to climate, can withstand cold, and is also quite tolerant of summer heat. South of the Yellow River basin, it can overwinter safely outdoors. It has strong adaptability to soil and can grow normally in clay, sandy soil, and lightly saline-alkaline soil. It is highly resistant to toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, and chlorine. Its adaptability to light is also relatively strong; it is fairly shade-tolerant and also quite tolerant of intense sunlight, but grows best in semi-shade. The suitable growth temperature is 15-30°C. In winter, place it indoors in a cool but non-freezing location; it can endure freezing temperatures, but to make it grow well, the minimum nighttime temperature should be kept above 13°C.

Propagation Methods of Pittosporum

Pittosporum is propagated by sowing or cuttings. The capsules mature from October to November, and are sown in mid-March of the following year by the drill method; the seed germination rate is about 50%. Seedlings grow relatively slowly. Seedling plants generally need 2 years before they are suitable for potting, and 3-4 years before they are suitable for being lifted from the nursery with a soil ball for planting in the ground. For cuttings, in early spring before the new leaves sprout, cut 1-2-year-old young branches into sections 15 cm long each, insert them into a wet sand bed, provide sparse light, and mist to keep moist. They root in about 20 days, and after about 1.5 months are moved into the nursery for cultivation. At 2-3 years old they can be used for potting or lifted from the nursery for planting in the ground. In routine management, attention should be paid to maintaining the tree shape; water appropriately during drought, and apply base fertilizer once in winter.

Cultivation Methods of Pittosporum

1. Potting: When potting pittosporum, it needs to be planted with its original soil, in a deep pot, with a ring of hard plastic about 5-8 cm high added along the upper inner rim of the pot, and more broken tiles placed at the bottom of the pot. When potting, the root crown can be raised accordingly, with the potting soil slightly lower than the plastic ring, so that deep-pot shallow planting does not affect survival.

2. Light: Pittosporum has strong adaptability to light. In summer it can be placed outdoors; if conditions permit, it can be placed in dappled shade. Strong light does no harm to the plant.

3. Temperature: Pittosporum requires air humidity of about 50%, and the suitable growth temperature is 15-30°C. In winter, place it indoors in a cool but non-freezing location, with a minimum temperature of 5°C.

4. Watering: Pittosporum consumes a large amount of water in summer, so it should be watered frequently. In winter, if the temperature is relatively low, the amount of watering should be reduced accordingly.

5. Fertilizing: During the growing season, fertilize pittosporum once every two weeks; no fertilizer is needed in other periods.

6. Repotting: Young potted pittosporum plants are repotted once a year, and mature plants once every 2-3 years. The potting mix is prepared with 1/3 leaf mold plus 2/3 clay or loam. When repotting, dead roots must be pruned away, and new culture soil rich in organic matter should be added to the potting soil.

7. Pruning: Pittosporum has strong branching ability and is tolerant of pruning. In early spring it needs pruning and shaping to maintain a beautiful tree form. If you want to inhibit its growth and produce more branches and leaves, cut the top when it grows to the corresponding height. Some also prune it into various shapes.