A detailed guide to the cutting propagation method for night-blooming jasmine, with step-by-step instructions
Night-blooming jasmine mainly grows in the jungles, woodlands or shrub thickets of subtropical and warm temperate regions. Its propagation methods mainly include cutting propagation, layering propagation, division propagation and seed seedling raising. The most commonly used is still cutting propagation. 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. The branches should have shorter internodes, thick and strong twigs and leaves, and plump buds. Branches about to bloom and leggy branches should not be used.
Selection of substrate
For the night-blooming jasmine cutting substrate, use peat soil, leaf mold and sand mixed respectively at 3:3:4. 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 branch rooting and sprouting.
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 8 cm to 12 cm long, with 2 to 3 buds on each. The lower cut of the cutting should preferably be 0.5 cm below a node. The cut should be smooth. Remove the lower leaves and keep only 2 to 3 leaves at the top. The insertion depth is generally 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 light exposure of about 30% is required. Moisture should be appropriate: slightly greater in the early cutting stage and slightly drier later. The suitable period for local open-field cutting is from early May to mid-June. At this time the climate is relatively good and can better meet the temperature and humidity conditions needed for the cuttings to root.
Management after cutting
After cutting night-blooming jasmine, water thoroughly, cover with plastic film, and place in a relatively shady spot, or scatter straw on the film to prevent direct sunlight, and increase light at night to help the cuttings survive. Ventilate 1 to 2 times a day to replenish the needed oxygen and prevent disease. Spray water frequently to keep the cutting bed moderately moist, but do not spray too much, otherwise the cutting bed will be too wet, which often affects the healing 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 proper time. After flowering, in the Nanjing area in winter, they should be moved indoors for care.