How to Propagate Night-blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) by Cuttings? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Method
Night-blooming jasmine mainly grows in the jungles, woodlands or shrublands of subtropical and warm temperate regions. Its propagation methods mainly include cutting propagation, layering propagation, division propagation and seed seedling raising, among which cutting propagation is the most commonly used. Apart from winter, cutting propagation can be carried out at any time. Now let us take a look at the cutting propagation method for night-blooming jasmine!
Selection of Cuttings
For night-blooming jasmine cuttings, choose branches that grow vigorously or are free of pests and diseases. On the same plant, choose current-year branches from the middle and upper parts that face the sun, with shorter internodes, thick and strong branches and leaves, and plump buds. Branches about to flower and leggy branches should not be used.
Selection of Substrate
For the cutting substrate of night-blooming jasmine, use peat soil, leaf mold and sand mixed in a ratio of 3:3:4 respectively. The bed soil prepared in this way has the characteristics of raising bed temperature, retaining water, allowing air circulation, being fertile and slightly acidic, and is suitable for the rooting and sprouting of branches.
Treatment of Cuttings
Before cutting night-blooming jasmine, treat the cuttings with agents such as ABT rooting powder, which has the effect of promoting rooting. Cut the cuttings into sections of 8 cm to 12 cm, each with 2 to 3 buds. The lower cut should preferably be made 0.5 cm below a node, and the cut should be smooth. Remove the lower leaves, keeping only the top 2 to 3 leaves. The insertion depth should generally be about 3 cm.
Rooting Conditions
The suitable rooting temperature for night-blooming jasmine is 20°C to 24°C. Generally, soil temperature being 3°C to 5°C higher than air temperature is favorable for rooting. An air relative humidity of 80% to 90% in the cutting bed is favorable for rooting, and about 30% light is required. Moisture should be appropriate: slightly more water in the early stage of cutting and slightly drier in the later stage. The suitable period for open-field cutting locally is from early May to mid-June, when the climate is relatively good and can better meet the temperature and humidity conditions required for cuttings to root.
Management After Cutting
After cutting, night-blooming jasmine should be watered thoroughly, covered with plastic film, and placed in a relatively shaded place, or straw can be scattered on the film to prevent direct sunlight, and light should be increased at night to help the cuttings survive. Ventilate 1 to 2 times a day to replenish the required oxygen and prevent disease. Spray water frequently to keep the cutting bed moderately moist, but do not spray excessively; otherwise, the cutting bed will be too wet, which often affects callus formation and rooting of the cuttings. When the new roots of the cuttings grow to 2 cm to 3 cm, they can be transplanted into pots at the appropriate time. After flowering, in winter in the Nanjing area, they should be moved indoors for care.