Osmanthus flowers in Zhejiang bloomed in March? Experts: They may have been "tricked" by the temperature

In March, some netizens discovered that osmanthus trees were quietly blooming in the streets and alleys. It is the season when cherry blossoms and rape flowers are in full bloom, so why are osmanthus trees also joining in the fun?

Source of netizens’ posts: Screenshot of social media

Spring Osmanthus

Maybe it was "cheated" by the temperature

"The current temperature may have caused the osmanthus to have an illusion, disrupting its biological clock, and making it think that it should bloom at this temperature," said Wang Shizhen, an expert at the Zhejiang Institute of Landscape Plants and Flowers. She said that like most flowers, osmanthus needs a warm period to bloom. Generally, the suitable growth temperature for osmanthus is between 15-28℃, and under such temperature conditions, the flower buds will turn into buds.

Osmanthus flowers on the roadside Photographed by Zhao Yiqiao

Although spring is not usually the main flowering period of osmanthus, if the climate is mild and the soil is sufficiently moist, some sporadic flowering may occur, especially in the southern regions with warm climates. The large temperature difference between morning and evening in spring, as well as the recent climate changes in Zhejiang, just provide the right conditions for osmanthus to bloom. In the past two days, the highest temperature in Hangzhou even soared to over 30°C. But this spring flower event is destined to be short-lived. As the cold air moves south, the end of March will usher in a "temperature dive", and the lowest temperature in some areas will drop below 10°C. Wang Shizhen said, "If the temperature drops sharply, the osmanthus may fall."

Osmanthus Ying Xinhang/Photo

She also mentioned that occasional flowering in spring will not deplete the vitality of the trees, and citizens can look at this "beautiful misunderstanding" in nature rationally. At the same time, she said that these flowering osmanthus trees will still bloom in autumn, and it is even more worth looking forward to the fragrance that will fill the city.

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Osmanthus fragrans, the "model worker" in the osmanthus world

In addition to temperature, variety is also one of the reasons why osmanthus flowers bloom. Osmanthus flowers are roughly divided into four types: silver osmanthus, golden osmanthus, red osmanthus, and four-season osmanthus. Generally speaking, four-season osmanthus flowers have a long flowering period and strong adaptability. The flowering period lasts from late September of the first year to late May of the second year, with a flowering period of up to 200 days. It can be said to be the "model worker" in the osmanthus world. "The osmanthus flowers seen by some netizens may also be four-season osmanthus." Wang Shizhen said.

Osmanthus Ying Xinhang/Photo

How to identify the varieties of osmanthus? Wang Shizhen introduced that the color of golden osmanthus is light yellow; the color of silver osmanthus is milky white; the color of red osmanthus is particularly yellow and orange; the color of four-season osmanthus is between golden osmanthus and red osmanthus. Except for red osmanthus, the fragrance of other varieties of osmanthus is mostly more elegant. Generally speaking, the osmanthus trees planted on the roadside are mainly golden osmanthus and silver osmanthus. If you want to see four-season osmanthus, taking Hangzhou as an example, citizens can go to Hangzhou Botanical Garden, Manjuelong and other places.

Osmanthus rice cake Source: Zhejiang Cultural Tourism Information

At present, many people choose to grow a pot of osmanthus at home for decoration and appreciation. Wang Shizhen reminds flower lovers that when growing osmanthus at home, they must ensure sufficient light and pay attention to controlling the amount and frequency of watering, so that they can harvest a full pot of osmanthus during the flowering season. Osmanthus can not only be used for viewing, but also for eating. It is understood that osmanthus is rich in trace elements such as zinc, selenium, and potassium, and can be used to make tea, osmanthus cake, osmanthus honey, etc., with high nutritional value.