How to Grow Night-Blooming Jasmine from Seed? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Method
Night-blooming jasmine (Telosma cordata) is a perennial twining herbaceous vine of the genus Telosma in the Apocynaceae family, native to southern China. Its flowers are yellow-green with a fresh fragrance that becomes stronger at night, hence the names night-blooming jasmine and night-fragrant flower. It is commonly propagated by cuttings, but can also be grown from seed. Let's take a look below at how to grow night-blooming jasmine from seed!
Preparation for Sowing Night-Blooming Jasmine
In warm regions, night-blooming jasmine seeds can be sown in either spring or autumn. Before sowing, level and rake the seedbed fine, then apply a small amount of superphosphate to encourage strong seedling roots. Then water the seedbed and keep it consistently moist. Once the water has completely soaked into the seedbed, you can sow.
Sowing Method for Night-Blooming Jasmine
Once the seedbed is prepared, you can sow. Do not cover the seeds with too thick a layer of soil; just enough to barely cover the seeds is best. After sowing, spread a uniform layer of rice straw over the seedbed to reduce water evaporation. Pay frequent attention to the soil moisture; if you notice the soil drying out, you can simply pour water directly onto the straw. The temperature for raising seedlings should be kept at 15-25°C. Generally, the seeds will sprout into seedlings in about 1 week.
Potting Method for Night-Blooming Jasmine
When the night-blooming jasmine seedlings grow 2-3 true leaves, transplant them once to thicken and strengthen them. When they grow to 6-7 true leaves, pot them in their final containers. Because they are seedlings, they should be transplanted into pots immediately after being lifted. When potting, be careful not to damage the roots. During planting, plant, water and firm the soil around the roots as you go, then plant the entire root system into the soil without leaving any part of the root crown exposed.
Notes on Sowing Night-Blooming Jasmine
1. Autumn sowing should be done in October. After winter begins, pay attention to protecting the young seedlings from the cold. By the following spring, they can be transplanted into pots.
2. When overwintering night-blooming jasmine indoors, keep the temperature no lower than 5°C, otherwise frost damage can easily occur. On very cold days, simply cover them with a plastic bag and place them in a spot with direct sunlight inside a south-facing window, and they will overwinter safely. In the following spring, move them outside once the temperature stabilizes at around 10°C.