How to grow potted osmanthus well? These care methods must be mastered

    For potted osmanthus, choose a plant that is short and sturdy, with a relatively thick main trunk and evenly balanced branches and leaves. The potting soil should be loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam. Soil that is too heavy or too loose is unsuitable for osmanthus growth. Generally, mix and use 50% leaf mold, 40% garden soil, and 10% rice husk ash. 

    Osmanthus sends out new branches twice a year, in spring and autumn, but the spring shoots grow best. It generally sprouts in March, the spring shoots develop in late April, they grow into half-mature sturdy branches by the end of June, flower buds form during the high temperatures of August, and it blooms at the end of September. Branches from the previous year also bear flowers, but the flowers are few and of poor quality. Therefore, after blooming in autumn, pruning is needed once. When pruning, according to the plant's growth vigor, excessively dense branches should be thinned appropriately so that sturdy branches are evenly left on each side branch. If the branches are too dense, photosynthesis is affected, which leads to physiological imbalance and affects bud formation and flowering. At the same time, the leggy shoots grown in summer and autumn should be cut off. The second pruning is done in early spring before the buds sprout, cutting off all the dead branches, thin weak branches, and diseased and pest-damaged branches left after winter. If the plant is too tall and has few lower branches with an unattractive shape, the top of the main trunk can be cut off to make adventitious buds sprout from the lower part and grow new branches. In addition, during the growth period, root suckers should often be cut off so that nutrients are concentrated, which benefits spring shoot growth and flower formation.

    Although osmanthus is not strict about light, it blooms more and has a strong fragrance in an environment with ample sunlight and good ventilation. If kept in a semi-shaded place for a long time, it blooms little and has a faint fragrance. Potted osmanthus is not cold-tolerant, so in winter it should be placed indoors in a sunny spot, and it can generally overwinter at above 4°C. When light is poor and the temperature is low, it easily drops leaves. In late March of the following year, the potted plant can be moved outdoors to a sunny spot for care.

    During the growth period, fertilizer and water management should be strengthened. The pots used for potted osmanthus are relatively large, and in spring and autumn it is generally watered once every 4-5 days. Osmanthus avoids wetness, especially during the autumn flowering season, as too much moisture can cause flower drop. Usually, just keep the potting soil moist. Summer is the peak growth season for the plant. When temperatures are high, the potting soil dries easily, so watering should be sufficient. Water once every early morning, and in the evening, depending on how dry or moist the potting soil is, if dry, water again lightly. During the plum rain season and summer showers, promptly tilt the pot to drain water,   so as to avoid root rot.
   
   Osmanthus greatly likes fertilizer. When it sprouts in spring, apply 30% cake fertilizer water and human feces and urine (which must be fully decomposed) once every 7-10 days to promote sprouting and branch growth. After July, apply 30% decomposed chicken and pigeon manure water or fish waste water, or add 0.5%-1% superphosphate to the above fertilizer liquid, to promote flower bud growth and produce good flowers. When the potting soil is too dry, do not fertilize immediately. Water so that the potting soil is slightly moist, then fertilize, to avoid scorched and curled leaves.