How to grow star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)? Latest cultivation methods explained
Star jasmine, also known as stone dragon vine, ten-thousand-character flower, ten-thousand-character jasmine, etc., is an evergreen woody climbing plant of the genus Trachelospermum in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), with strong creeping and climbing habits, and can be used in combination for color band and color block landscaping. In gardens it is mostly used as ground cover or grown in pots for ornamental purposes, but this species is a toxic plant listed in the Chinese Plant Atlas database, and the whole plant is toxic. The symptoms of poisoning are similar to those of sea mango. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods for star jasmine!
Growth habits of star jasmine
Star jasmine is native to China south of the Yellow River basin, and is cultivated in both the north and the south. It has strong adaptability to climate, can withstand cold and also tolerates heat, but hates severe cold. It likes a humid environment and hates dry wind. It likes weak light and also tolerates scorching sun and high temperatures. It can climb walls on both the sunny and shady sides. It is not demanding about soil; generally, medium-fertility light clay and sandy loam are both suitable, and it can grow in both acidic and alkaline soil. It is relatively drought-tolerant but hates waterlogging, so potted plants should not be watered too much; keeping the soil moist is enough.
Propagation methods of star jasmine
1. Layering: During the plum rain season, the young stems of star jasmine easily grow aerial roots. Taking advantage of this characteristic, use the continuous layering method on the young stems, then cut them apart from the middle in autumn to obtain a large number of seedlings.
2. Cuttings: For star jasmine, during the plum rain season, cut young stems that have aerial roots and insert them into plain soil, then place them in a semi-shady spot. The survival rate is very high, but the survival rate of cuttings from old stems is low.
3. Sowing: Potted star jasmine generally does not set seed after flowering, while ground-planted star jasmine can bear cylindrical fruit after flowering. After the fruit ripens and is harvested in October, sow it the following spring, but seedlings grown from seed take three to four years to flower.
Cultivation methods for star jasmine
1. Fertilizer: Variegated star jasmine likes fertilizer but is not fussy about it; all kinds of fertilizer can be used. It can still bloom without fertilizer for a year, but the number of flowers will be somewhat lower. If you want potted variegated star jasmine to bloom profusely, apply more bone meal and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, and use less nitrogen fertilizer. For ground-planted variegated star jasmine, apply a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer once each in spring and autumn; do not fertilize in winter and summer.
2. Watering: Variegated star jasmine likes moisture. During the growing season, the potting soil should be kept slightly moist. In spring and autumn, water once every two days; in summer, water once a day; in winter, water about once every half month. It is enough for the potting soil to be slightly moist and not dry, and it must never be waterlogged at any time. For potted variegated star jasmine placed on a roof garden or in a courtyard, pay attention to draining accumulated water during the rainy season. Ground-planted star jasmine should not be planted in low-lying areas, otherwise the roots are prone to rot. During the growing season, it is not too late to water after the soil looks dry; ground-planted plants may not need watering in winter.
3. Pruning: Variegated star jasmine tolerates pruning and remains evergreen all year round. It can also be combined with golden privet and red-leaf barberry for color band and color block landscaping. Controlling vine length through pruning can promote branching and help make the plant shape full. The first pruning is done when the vine reaches 8 cm in length, cutting it back to leave about 6 cm. After that, prune every time it grows 4-5 cm. Usually 2-3 prunings are enough to produce a very good pot shape.
4. Light: Variegated star jasmine is a temperate-zone flower that likes warmth and light. For ground planting, it should be planted in a sunny spot; in a shady spot it grows poorly, has fewer flowers, a faint fragrance, or even no flowers. For potted plants, place them in a spot with ample sunlight in spring, autumn and winter. In midsummer, if placed in a semi-shady spot where it can see the sun in the morning or evening and avoid direct strong sunlight at noon, it will bloom continuously. If it is too sunny at noon, the flowers will be sparse or even absent. Star jasmine is relatively cold-tolerant. In the Yellow River basin and areas to its south, it can overwinter safely outdoors; in the north, it is still better to move it into a low-temperature room for the winter.
5. Pests and diseases: The main diseases of variegated star jasmine include anthracnose and leaf spot, which can be controlled with a 600-800 times dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl or an 800-1000 times dilution of 70% mancozeb wettable powder. For damage by red spider mites and other mites and moth larvae, use a 1000-1500 times dilution of 15% pyridaben for control. For aphids, use a 1500 times dilution of 25% imidacloprid wettable powder or a 2000-3000 times dilution of 48% chlorpyrifos emulsifiable concentrate for control.