Winter jasmine is the earliest flower to bloom, in which month does it open? Bonsai care methods

Winter jasmine is the earliest flower to bloom among all flowers, and right after it blooms comes the spring when a hundred flowers bloom together, and because its flower color is dignified and beautiful, and it has the characteristics of not fearing the cold, not being picky about soil and climate, and having strong adaptability, it has always been loved by people. So, when does winter jasmine bloom? How to care for it as a bonsai?

I. When does winter jasmine bloom?

1. Winter jasmine is also called small yellow flower, golden belt, yellow plum, yellow jasmine, Qingming flower, etc. It is a deciduous shrub of the genus Jasminum in the family Oleaceae, with a plant height of 30-100 cm, small branches that are spreading, slender and upright or arching and drooping, leaves that are ovate to oblong, and flowers that are borne singly on the branches grown in the previous year.

2. Winter jasmine blooms in February to March, earlier than plum blossoms, and is a flower that opens specifically to welcome spring. It blooms first and then grows leaves, and has no leaves during the full flowering period; the flowering period lasts 50 days. If it is wild winter jasmine, it generally blooms in early April, later than plum blossoms, with flowers and leaves appearing at the same time, and green leaves during the flowering period.

3. Winter jasmine flowers are borne singly in the leaf axils of the small branches grown in the previous year, rarely at the tips of the small branches. The flower tube is long, the calyx is green, the corolla is yellow, and the petals are golden yellow with a touch of red blush outside, and it has a delicate fragrance. It is native to the northern and central provinces of our country, and is extremely commonly cultivated in North China.

4. Winter jasmine, plum blossom, narcissus and camellia are collectively known as the “Four Friends in the Snow”. It blooms earlier than all flowers, and its flower meaning is: love each other forever, traditional beauty, strong vitality, and aloof and lonely.

II. How to care for winter jasmine bonsai?

1. Soil: loose, fertile and well-drained.

It likes loose, fertile and well-drained sandy soil, and can grow in slightly acidic, neutral and slightly alkaline soil, but it grows vigorously in acidic soil and poorly in alkaline soil.

2. Propagation: mainly by cuttings and layering.

Its roots have strong sprouting ability, and the parts of the branches touching the ground root very easily, so it can be propagated by cuttings, layering and division, mainly by cuttings, which can be done in spring, summer and autumn. Insert the cut cuttings into sandy soil, water them thoroughly and place them in a shaded place, and they will root in 15-30 days.

3. Potting: it can be potted once rooted.

It can be potted once rooted. For the sake of beauty, it is advisable to choose light blue, purplish red or black flower pots, so that the color of the pot and the flower coordinate. If it has just been planted or just repotted, water it thoroughly first, place it in a shaded place for about 10 days, then place it in a half-shade half-sun place for one week, and then place it in a sunny, well-ventilated and relatively moist place for care. It has strong sprouting ability, and after 2-3 years of cultivation it can be made into a small bonsai.

4. Daily care

(1) Temperature: it likes a warm climate and is slightly cold-tolerant, and should usually be kept in a warm place for care. In winter, in southern regions it can overwinter outdoors in a sheltered place, and in northern regions it can be moved indoors to overwinter.

(2) Light: it likes light and is slightly shade-tolerant. In summer it can be kept in a sunny, well-ventilated place for care. In winter, in southern regions the pot can be buried in the soil in a sunny spot to overwinter, and in northern regions it can be moved indoors to a sunny spot.

(3) Watering: it likes a moist environment and is drought-tolerant, but fears waterlogging. During the growing season, the principle of watering thoroughly should be followed, but there must be no standing water in the pot. In winter, water should be withheld.

(4) Fertilizing: during the growing season, apply a thin, decomposed organic liquid fertilizer once every 20-30 days or so. In winter, in order to promote the formation of flower buds, appropriately increase the amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.

(5) Pests and diseases: the diseases it is prone to include mosaic disease, brown spot disease, gray mold, spot disease, leaf spot disease, etc., and the pests include aphids, etc., which can be controlled by spraying. Usually also pay attention to ventilation, reduce air humidity, remove weeds in time, and after disease occurs promptly remove diseased leaves and diseased plants.

5. Flowering: flowering can be advanced and the flowering period extended.

Winter jasmine blooms in late winter and early spring. If you want it to bloom earlier, you can move it into a medium-temperature or high-temperature sunny room, and spray clear water on the branches and leaves 1-2 times a day. If the temperature is around 13°C, it can bloom in about 20 days; if the temperature is around 20°C, it can bloom in about 10 days. After flowering, appropriately lower the temperature to extend the flowering period; keeping the temperature at around 8°C is enough. The higher the temperature, the faster the flowers fade.

The above is an introduction to the blooming time of winter jasmine and its bonsai care methods, and we hope it is useful to everyone.