Detailed Introduction to Several Common Propagation Methods of Osmanthus

Osmanthus is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Osmanthus in the family Oleaceae. Because osmanthus flowers have a rich, sweet fragrance when they bloom, they are very popular, and many people also use osmanthus as an edible ingredient. Hobbyists who are interested will also grow osmanthus themselves. Here, the editor introduces the common propagation methods of osmanthus, so friends who like osmanthus can learn about them together.

Osmanthus

I. Seed propagation:Because seedlings grown from seed take many years to reach flowering, this method is generally not used for home flower growing.

II. Layering propagation:Layering propagation can be divided into air layering and ground layering. Air layering is done in spring by selecting 1-2-year-old thick, strong branches from the mother tree, choosing an easily bendable part, cutting or girdling it with a knife to a depth that reaches the xylem, then pressing it into a 3-5 cm deep trench, and fixing the pressed branch with a wooden stick, leaving only the tip and leaves exposed outside. Ground layering is done from spring to summer. Select a relatively thick, low-trunked mother tree; a 1-2-year-old low-branching or clump-forming mother plant must be chosen, and a ring cut or girdle is made in the same way as with air layering. During the cultivation process, always keep the substrate moist. After roots form in autumn, cut it away from the mother plant for maintenance.

III. Grafting propagation:There are many grafting methods for osmanthus. The rootstock is generally chosen from privet, small-leaf privet, Chinese privet, water privet, fringetree, and white ash, among others. Among these, approach grafting is a commonly used method, and potted osmanthus in China mostly uses approach grafting. Its advantages are: a long suitable grafting period, easy survival, quick shaping, and early flowering. Therefore, approach grafting is generally used to graft osmanthus. First, bring the scion close to the rootstock. Methods such as propping, padding, framing, hanging, and tying can be used to bring the selected osmanthus branch serving as the scion close to the rootstock branch in the same direction. Then specifically determine the suitable grafting site on the rootstock and scion, and fix the position well. Then cut sloped cut surfaces at the determined grafting sites on the rootstock and scion respectively. The sloped surface is oval, 3-5 cm long, and the depth of the cut generally does not exceed half the thickness of the branch. After the grafting is tied and completed, cut off the rootstock branch 1 cm above the graft union. After grafting, if shoots sprout from the part of the rootstock below the graft union, they should be removed promptly. 31-35 days after grafting, cut off the scion below the graft union so that it separates from the mother plant. 3-5 days after cutting off the scion, check whether it has survived; if the scion's branches and leaves grow normally, it has survived; if the leaves wilt, it indicates the grafting failed.

IV. Cutting propagation:The best time is before sprouting in spring. Use one-year-old fully developed branches, cut them into 5-10 cm lengths, remove the lower leaves, keep 2-3 green leaves on the upper part, and insert them into a river sand or loess seedbed. After insertion, water or spray promptly, provide shade, maintain a temperature of 20-25°C and a relative humidity of 85%-90%. After 2 months, they can take root and be transplanted.

How to grow osmanthus trees, cultivation methods and precautions for osmanthus trees

Osmanthus tree is also called linxi tree and has a cultivation history of 2,500 years in China. Osmanthus tree is a long-day plant, suitable for planting under conditions of ample sunlight, fertile soil, and good drainage. It has high ornamental value, and the flowers of some varieties are edible. This article shares the cultivation methods and precautions for osmanthus trees with everyone.

Cultivation methods for osmanthus trees

In China, osmanthus trees are mostly seen in garden ornamentation. The more common varieties include golden osmanthus, silver osmanthus, red osmanthus, and four-season osmanthus, among which golden osmanthus has relatively high economic value. Osmanthus trees are generally propagated by cuttings, layering, and grafting, but because the survival rate is not high, the development of osmanthus is limited to a certain extent.

The cultivation of osmanthus trees is mostly carried out in early spring. First dig a large pit in a place with fertile soil and ample sunlight, apply some organic fertilizer, and at the same time, some plant ash may also be applied. After survival, apply fertilizer water once or twice in July or August, apply decomposed compost before winter arrives, apply quick-acting nitrogen once in March of the following year, apply quick-acting phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once again in July, and apply organic fertilizer once again in October. During routine maintenance, pay attention to weeding, watering, and the prevention and control of pests and diseases. In this way, osmanthus trees can bloom abundantly year after year with a distant, lingering fragrance.

In addition, potted osmanthus trees require even more attention to soil and pot selection, watering and fertilizing, as well as pruning and pest and disease control.

Precautions for osmanthus trees

When watering osmanthus trees, note that before new shoots emerge, water less; on cloudy and rainy days, water less; in dry weather in summer and autumn, water more. When osmanthus trees bloom in autumn, control the amount of watering to keep the pot soil moist; overly wet conditions will cause flower drop.

Osmanthus trees need sufficient fertilization. In particular, insufficient phosphorus fertilizer will affect branching of osmanthus trees, and the flowers will be few and not fragrant. Osmanthus trees have a well-developed root system. Adult osmanthus trees send out shoots every spring and autumn, so pruning should be done to maintain a beautiful plant shape, balance the physiological nutrition of the osmanthus tree, and promote flower bud growth.

To grow an osmanthus tree well, in addition to routine daily management, careful maintenance is also needed, with attention to the prevention and control of pests and diseases and timely spraying for control. The cultivation methods and precautions for osmanthus trees are introduced here. For more flower cultivation information, please follow the planting encyclopedia of China Agrochemical Investment Network.

Extended reading:

Osmanthus tree planting techniques, cultivation methods, osmanthus flower language, effects and benefits

How to grow potted osmanthus trees? Cultivation methods for potted osmanthus trees

The fragrance of osmanthus carries for ten li and is loved by many friends. Many friends choose to keep a pot of osmanthus tree at home. So how should potted osmanthus trees be grown? Below is an introduction to the cultivation methods for potted osmanthus trees.

I. Placement location for potted osmanthus trees:

Osmanthus tree bonsai is suitable for placement in a warm, sunny place, with appropriate shading in summer to avoid direct strong light. In areas north of the Yangtze River, it must be brought indoors for the winter, and a room temperature of 0-5°C is relatively safe. It can be brought out around Jingzhe in the following spring.

II. Watering methods for potted osmanthus trees:

For potted osmanthus trees, follow the principle of not watering when the soil is not dry, and watering thoroughly when watering. Generally, water once every 3-4 days in spring and autumn, once a day during high summer temperatures, and once every 7-10 days in winter. In summer, water in the morning and evening, while in winter water around noon, so that the water temperature is close to the soil temperature and does not cause sudden cold or heat that damages the root system. In autumn, water in moderation, and during the plum rain season prevent the pot soil from becoming too wet or waterlogged.

III. Fertilization methods for potted osmanthus trees:

Osmanthus tree bonsai is mainly grown for its flowers, so sufficient fertilizer should be supplied. When shoots emerge, apply nitrogen fertilizer 1-2 times to promote branch and leaf growth; before flower bud differentiation and flowering, mainly apply phosphorus fertilizer. Before fertilizing, the pot soil should be slightly dry, and it is best to loosen the soil first to facilitate fertilizer absorption. On the second day after fertilizing, water once. If compost or manure is used, it must be fully decomposed before use. If using the chemical fertilizer superphosphate, its concentration must not exceed 2%.

IV. Pruning methods for potted osmanthus trees:

Shaping and pruning of osmanthus trees is best done after autumn, cutting off overly strong upper branches to balance the tree's vigor. Dense branches should be thinned out, and diseased and weak branches removed, so that nutrients are concentrated and flowering is favored. Shaping and pruning combined with water and fertilizer management can improve the robust growth of osmanthus bonsai and maintain a beautiful form.

V. Repotting potted osmanthus trees:

Osmanthus bonsai can be repotted and have its soil changed once every 2-3 years. The new pot should be somewhat larger to facilitate root growth of the osmanthus. Along with repotting, cut off some old roots and dead roots, remove part of the old soil with a bamboo stick, replace it with loose, fertile new culture soil, and place decomposed cake fertilizer at the bottom of the pot as base fertilizer. The soil must be pressed firmly when filling, which can promote luxuriant flowers and leaves in osmanthus.

VI. Pests and diseases that potted osmanthus trees need to control:

Common osmanthus diseases include leaf spot disease, sooty mold, algal leaf spot, root rot, and iron deficiency, and control should be carried out according to the disease situation.

1. For leaf spot disease, sooty mold, and algal leaf spot, spray 0.5 Bordeaux mixture or 5% carbendazim 500-1000 times solution for control;

2. For the control of root rot, attention should be paid to keeping the soil loose and breathable, and do not let it become waterlogged; if root rot is caused by fungi, drench the roots with 200-300 times solution of amobam.

3. Common osmanthus pests include sawflies, whiteflies, mites, white scale insects, and yellow stinging moths. Sawflies, whiteflies, and mites can be sprayed and killed with 40% dimethoate 1500-3000 times solution. For white scale insects, in addition to manual brushing off, during the first and second instar nymph stages, they can be sprayed and killed with 40% omethoate 1000 times solution or 40% fenitrothion 500 times solution.

The above are the cultivation methods for potted osmanthus trees. Friends who like potted osmanthus trees can refer to the above methods for reasonable cultivation.