Detailed guide to osmanthus bonsai planting techniques, teaching you how to grow a good bonsai

  Potted osmanthus should be planted in spring or autumn, preferably on a cloudy or rainy day. Choose a ventilated, well-drained and warm location; either full sun or partial shade is fine. When transplanting, make sure to form a soil ball around the roots to ensure the survival rate. The planting soil should be slightly acidic; alkaline soil is to be avoided. The potting soil mix for potted osmanthus is 2 parts leaf mold, 3 parts garden soil, 3 parts sandy soil and 2 parts decomposed cake fertilizer; mix them evenly, then pot up or repot, which can be done before spring budding.

  Choosing a pot:

  Osmanthus has green leaves and yellow flowers and stays evergreen all year round, so it is best to use a relatively deep round or square pot. The diameter of the pot opening should be roughly equal to the spread of the osmanthus branches and leaves, which benefits root development and growth. For the pot material, purple clay ceramic pots or glazed ceramic pots are best. As for color, purple or ochre is better, as it creates a sharp contrast with the colors of the flowers and leaves and enhances the ornamental effect.

  Soil:

  Osmanthus loves fertilizer and should be grown in fertile, loose, well-drained sandy loam. The growing medium for potted osmanthus is usually made from 1B3 each of garden soil, composted manure and river sand; be sure to disinfect it so that pests and diseases are not introduced.

  Planting:

  Osmanthus is best planted in early spring or autumn. Before potting, lay a layer of river sand or vermiculite at the bottom of the pot to improve aeration and drainage, then spread a layer of peat soil or fine mud about 2-3 cm thick on top, up to 1B3 of the pot's depth. Then place the osmanthus seedling with its root soil ball into the pot, fill with growing medium, press firmly with your fingers, and fill with soil until it is close to the pot rim; the soil surface should be 2-3 cm lower than the pot rim to make watering and fertilizing easier. After planting, water thoroughly, then move it to a shaded place for about 10 days so it can "adjust to the pot" and gradually resume growth.