Cultivation techniques and precautions of Osmanthus fragrans

Osmanthus fragrans, also known as seven-mile fragrance and thousand-mile fragrance , is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Osmanthus in the Rutaceae family. It has a unique aroma and many-faceted values. It likes sunlight, is drought-resistant, and afraid of waterlogging. It has white flowers and a strong fragrance, and is suitable for potted viewing. The following are the cultivation techniques and precautions for Osmanthus fragrans.

1. Lighting

Osmanthus fragrans likes sunlight and is suitable to be placed in a place with sufficient light, such as a balcony or windowsill. It can accept full sunlight in spring, autumn and winter, but needs appropriate shade in summer to avoid direct sunlight that may cause leaf burns.

2. Temperature

The suitable temperature for the growth of Osmanthus fragrans is 20℃-32℃. It is not cold-resistant and the temperature in winter needs to be kept above 10℃. The plant may be frozen if the temperature is below 5℃.

3. Soil

Osmanthus fragrans is not very demanding on soil, but loose, breathable, well-drained slightly acidic soil is preferred. You can choose to mix peat soil, sandy loam, river sand and cake fertilizer residue.

4. Watering

Osmanthus fragrans is drought-resistant, so watering should follow the principle of “watering when the soil is dry and watering when the soil is wet” to avoid waterlogging. Water every 2-3 days in spring and autumn, once in the morning and evening in summer, and once a week in winter.

5. Fertilization

Osmanthus fragrans grows vigorously and needs to be fertilized regularly. In spring and summer, apply decomposed organic liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer once every 20 days, and apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers before and after flowering to promote flowering.

6. Pruning

Osmanthus fragrans is resistant to pruning, which can be done in spring or autumn. Prune off dead branches, overcrowded branches and overgrown branches to promote ventilation and light transmission of the plants and the germination of new buds.

7. Repotting

It is recommended to repot every 2-3 years, preferably in autumn. When repotting, trim the roots that are too long or rotten, and add an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer as base fertilizer.

In summary, Osmanthus fragrans is suitable for slightly acidic soil. The soil pH can be adjusted by applying ferrous sulfate or organic fertilizer to avoid soil alkalinization. Osmanthus fragrans is afraid of waterlogging, and excessive watering will cause root rot. During the rainy season, attention should be paid to drainage to avoid water accumulation.