How to Grow Night-Blooming Jasmine from Seed? A Detailed Guide to the Planting Method
Night-blooming jasmine (Telosma cordata) is a perennial twining herbaceous vine in the genus Telosma of the Apocynaceae family, native to southern China. Its flowers are yellow-green with a fresh fragrance, and the floral scent is even stronger at night, which is why it is called night-blooming jasmine or 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 finely rake the seedbed, then apply a small amount of superphosphate to encourage strong seedling roots, and then water the seedbed to keep it constantly moist. Sow only after the water has completely soaked into the seedbed.
Sowing Method for Night-Blooming Jasmine
Once the seedbed is prepared, you can sow. Do not cover the seeds with too much soil; just enough to barely cover the seeds is best. After sowing, spread a layer of rice straw evenly over the seedbed to reduce water evaporation. Pay frequent attention to soil moisture; if you notice the soil drying out, you can water directly onto the straw. The seedling-raising temperature should be kept at 15-25°C. Generally, in about 1 week, the seeds will sprout into seedlings.
How to Pot Up Night-Blooming Jasmine
When the night-blooming jasmine seedlings have grown 2-3 true leaves, transplant them once to achieve stronger seedlings, and when they reach 6-7 true leaves, pot them up for final planting. Because they are seedlings, they should be transplanted into pots immediately after being lifted. When potting up, be careful not to damage the root system, and while planting, water and firm the soil as you go, then plant the entire root system into the soil without exposing any part of the root crown.
Notes on Sowing Night-Blooming Jasmine
1. Autumn sowing should be carried out 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 night-blooming jasmine overwinters indoors, maintain a temperature of no less than 5°C, otherwise frost damage is likely. If very cold weather occurs, simply cover it with a plastic bag and place it in a spot with direct sunlight by a south-facing window, and it will overwinter safely. In the following spring, when the temperature stabilizes at around 10°C, move it back outside.