Osmanthus, with its rich fragrance and elegant flower posture, has been deeply loved by people since ancient times. If you want to enjoy the gifts of autumn at home or in the courtyard, planting osmanthus seedlings is undoubtedly the best choice. However, many people encounter various problems when growing osmanthus flowers, such as late flowering time, sparse flowers, etc. In fact, this is closely related to the propagation mode and fertilization management of osmanthus. This article will give you a detailed introduction to the propagation, flowering time and fertilizer required of osmanthus seedlings to help you create a lush sea of osmanthus flowers.
First, the propagation and flowering time of osmanthus seedlings.
There are three main propagation methods of osmanthus: fruiting, cuttings and grafting. The flowering time varies significantly depending on the type of reproduction.
Seedlings: Seedlings are osmanthus seedlings obtained by seed propagation. Since the seedlings need to go through a long childhood, their flowering period is relatively long, about 10 years. Therefore, for flower lovers who want to enjoy the osmanthus blooming as soon as possible, the seedlings may not be the best choice.
Cuttings seedlings: Cuttings seedlings are obtained by cutting the branches of osmanthus trees for propagation by cuttings. Compared with solid seedlings, cuttings have a much shorter flowering period, about 3-4 years before flowering. This makes cuttings the first choice for many flower lovers.
Grafted seedlings: Grafted seedlings are obtained by grafting the branches of osmanthus onto other trees. Because the grafted seedlings can inherit the excellent traits of the mother tree, their flowering years are relatively short, which is comparable to that of cuttings. At the same time, grafted seedlings can also improve the stress resistance and adaptability of osmanthus to a certain extent.
It should be noted that whether it is a seedling, cuttings or grafted seedling, the amount of flowers may be relatively small when it first blooms. This is because osmanthus needs to consume a lot of nutrients and energy when it first blooms, and the root system of osmanthus seedlings at this time is not yet developed, and the ability to absorb nutrients is limited. Therefore, in order to ensure the healthy growth and continuous flowering of osmanthus flowers, we need to work fertilization management.
Second, the fertilization management of osmanthus seedlings.
The growth and flowering of osmanthus seedlings are inseparable from sufficient nutrients**. Therefore, reasonable fertilization is a key link in the planting process of osmanthus seedlings. So, what fertilizers do osmanthus seedlings need?
Organic fertilizer: Organic fertilizer is one of the important fertilizers needed for the growth of osmanthus trees. It is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which can provide comprehensive nutrient support for osmanthus trees. Commonly used organic fertilizers include well-rotted cake fertilizer, poultry manure, bone meal, etc. These fertilizers can not only provide nutrients for osmanthus trees, but also improve soil structure, increase soil water retention and aeration, and create a good soil environment for the healthy growth of osmanthus trees.
When using organic fertilizer, we need to pay attention to the appropriate amount of application to avoid excessive fertilizer damage. At the same time, organic fertilizer is slow to fertilize and requires continuous application to maintain soil fertility. Therefore, it is recommended that flower lovers apply organic fertilizer at least twice a year when planting osmanthus to meet the growth needs of osmanthus trees.
Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer: Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is a key fertilizer to promote flower bud differentiation and improve the flowering quality of osmanthus trees. Phosphorus can promote root growth and flower bud differentiation of osmanthus trees, while potassium can improve the quality and quantity of flowers, making osmanthus more lush. Therefore, in the seedling stage and growth period of osmanthus sustenance, appropriate application of phosphorus fertilizer can promote its rapid growth. Before and after flowering, the application of potassium fertilizer can improve the ornamental value of the flowers.
It should be noted that the amount and timing of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer use need to be determined according to the growth of osmanthus trees and local climatic conditions. Generally speaking, in spring and autumn is the period when osmanthus trees grow vigorously, and the application rate of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be increased appropriately at this time; In the summer high temperature, the amount of fertilizer should be appropriately reduced to avoid fertilizer damage.
Compound fertilizer: Compound fertilizer is a comprehensive fertilizer that contains a variety of nutrients and can meet the needs of osmanthus trees at different growth stages. For flower lovers who have just started planting osmanthus, it is a good choice to choose a compound fertilizer with an appropriate ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for application. It can both provide comprehensive nutrient support and be adjusted according to the growth needs of the osmanthus tree.
However, it should be noted that the nutrient content in compound fertilizer is high, and excessive application is easy to cause fertilizer damage. Therefore, when using compound fertilizer, we need to strictly control the amount of fertilizer applied and adjust it according to the growth of osmanthus trees and soil fertility. At the same time, in order to avoid the occurrence of root burning, it is recommended to mix the compound fertilizer with the soil evenly before application.
In short, planting osmanthus seedlings requires patience and care. From propagation to fertilization management, every link needs to be carefully cared for. Only in this way can we create a lush sea of osmanthus flowers that will allow the gifts of autumn to bloom in your home or garden.