A Detailed Guide to the Planting Methods and Key Technical Points for Golden Osmanthus
Golden osmanthus is a large evergreen broad-leaved tree that can reach a height of 15 m, with a canopy that can cover 400 sq m. Seedling osmanthus has a distinct taproot, and its root system is well developed and deep. Young roots are pale yellowish brown, while old roots are yellowish brown. The root system of grafted seedlings varies depending on the rootstock; cuttings buried in soil readily produce adventitious roots in various places, but have no obvious taproot. Osmanthus branches strongly and its branching point is low, especially noticeable in youth, so it often takes on a shrubby form over time. With dense planting or pruning, it can develop a distinct trunk. The bark is rough, grayish or grayish white, sometimes showing lenticels. The leaves are smooth, leathery, dark bright green on the adaxial side and lighter in color on the abaxial side; elliptic, long elliptic, ovate, obovate, lanceolate, oblanceolate, long lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate.
Cultivation methods and precautions for golden osmanthus:
1. Humidity: It is understood that the average temperature for golden osmanthus in July is 24-28°C, and the temperature most suitable for its growth is 15-28°C. Humidity is very important for golden osmanthus, especially during its young stage and the flowering period of mature trees, when water uptake is greater. Frequent drought will seriously affect normal flowering of golden osmanthus.
2. Light: Golden osmanthus flowers prefer warmth and have relatively strong stress resistance; they tolerate both high temperatures and fairly low temperatures. Golden osmanthus prefers sunlight, but strong sunlight and shade should be avoided, as they are unfavorable to its growth. The flowers need 6-8 hours per day for photosynthesis. Under full sunlight, the branches and leaves of golden osmanthus grow luxuriantly and flowering is abundant; under shaded conditions, golden osmanthus grows sparse branches and leaves with few flowers.
3. Growing environment: Golden osmanthus is suitable for planting in sandy soil with deep, loose, fertile layers and good drainage, which is more favorable for the growth of golden osmanthus flowers. If golden osmanthus is grown indoors, indoor ventilation should be strengthened to make it look more attractive.
4. Watering and fertilizing: Before planting golden osmanthus, herbaceous ash and organic fertilizer should be mixed into its planting hole, and a thorough watering should be given after planting. In order to keep the soil moist before new branches grow, be sure not to water with fertilizer solution. Golden osmanthus is generally given one application of nitrogen fertilizer in spring and one application of phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer in summer, so that golden osmanthus has abundant flowers and lush leaves. Before winter begins, apply one application of organic fertilizer to golden osmanthus flowers, mainly decomposed cake fertilizer and barnyard manure. Avoid concentrated fertilizer, especially avoid human feces and urine. At the same time, strengthen indoor ventilation and water as little as possible in winter.
5. Pruning and shaping: Osmanthus has strong sprouting ability and the natural tendency to form thickets. It flushes shoots twice each year, in spring and autumn. If it is not pruned and the buds are not removed in time, it is difficult to cultivate tall plants, and it easily develops a condition in which the upper branches are dense and the lower branches are sparse, strong above and weak below. When pruning, apart from shortening branches that grow poorly due to tree vigor or branch vigor, thinning is generally the main approach; only overly dense outer branches should be appropriately thinned, and water sprouts and diseased or pest-infested branches should be cut off to improve ventilation and light penetration for the plant. Suckers emerging from the base of the trunk should be removed promptly to avoid consuming nutrients within the tree and disrupting the tree shape.
6. Loosening soil and weeding: In spring and autumn, cultivate once each in combination with fertilizing to improve soil structure. Before overwintering, mound soil around the base once and whitewash the trunk once, which can enhance cold resistance. Weed 2-3 times each year to prevent weeds from competing with seedlings for water, fertilizer, and light.