How to grow osmanthus trees at home: safe overwintering is the key

In winter, families with a yard can place potted osmanthus trees in a sunny corner of the yard, while those without a yard can put the osmanthus tree on the balcony. When the next spring arrives, as the temperature rises, you can open the balcony windows so that the outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature adapt to each other. In hot summer weather, spray water around it to increase the humidity of the surrounding environment, which is more conducive to plant growth.

Osmanthus trees by the park

How to grow osmanthus trees well at home: safe overwintering is the key!

Causes of poor growth

The dormancy period of the osmanthus tree is between 0-5°C. If the indoor overwintering temperature is higher than 15°C, under such temperature conditions, the dormancy period of the osmanthus tree will be broken, causing it to sprout branches and unfold leaves early. Not only will it fail to enter the dormancy period to accumulate nutrients, but it will also consume a large amount of its own nutrients too early, creating a false appearance of lush branches and leaves. By the next spring, the tender branches and leaves cannot withstand the buffeting of the cold spring wind and will quickly wilt and dry up. If this situation continues for 2 or 3 years, the entire osmanthus tree will be on the verge of death.

A wilted osmanthus tree

Creating a dormancy environment for osmanthus trees

Families with a yard can, when winter comes, place the osmanthus tree in a sunny corner of the yard, dig a soil pit of the same size according to the specifications of the flower pot, fill it with soil so that it is level with the flower pot, build a frame around it, and cover the frame with plastic film.

Potted osmanthus trees grown in a greenhouse

If you do not have a yard, you can place the potted osmanthus tree on the balcony, isolate the outdoor balcony air from the indoor heating to prevent the heating from drifting toward the balcony and causing disordered growth. Relying on the natural temperature conditions of the balcony can meet the dormancy requirements of the osmanthus tree.

Osmanthus trees grown in a sunny part of the yard

Precautions at the beginning of spring

When spring arrives, as the outdoor temperature gradually rises, you can gradually open the balcony windows so that the temperature outside the balcony and the indoor temperature adapt to each other. When the average temperature reaches above 0°C, you can open all the balcony windows.

Osmanthus trees by the balcony