A Detailed Guide to the Cutting and Propagation Methods of Variegated Star Jasmine
Variegated Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Variegatum') is a woody vine of the Apocynaceae family and is fairly widely distributed in China. It is also a very important landscaping plant, and can be used in garden projects as well as road greening. As a result, Variegated Star Jasmine now occupies a relatively large planting area. So when growing Variegated Star Jasmine, how should you take cuttings? What propagation methods are there? Let's take a look together below at the cutting and propagation of Variegated Star Jasmine!
1. How to Take Cuttings
Before taking cuttings of Variegated Star Jasmine, we must first prepare the cutting bed and mix the cutting medium. The cutting medium for Variegated Star Jasmine can be mixed from vermiculite powder, peat soil and perlite. Then place it into a cutting tray; if raising seedlings in nutrition pots, you also need to add one part fine sand. If you find this troublesome, you can also insert the cuttings directly into fine sand. Finally, pay attention to the cutting time for Variegated Star Jasmine: although it can be done all year round, the survival rate is highest when cuttings are taken in spring and autumn.
2. Cutting Management
Next, we need to select a robust, healthy branch, one without wounds, pests or diseases. Cut the branch into cuttings of about 10 cm, and each cutting must retain at least one bud eye. Then dip the base of the branch in a rooting agent, insert it directly into the seedbed and water it thoroughly. After cutting, good management must be carried out: keep the soil moist, and the soil moisture content must not fall below 50%. The temperature should also be kept at around 35°C, but not too high; if it gets too high, cool it down promptly. Before rooting and sprouting, avoid direct sunlight on the cuttings. Usually, under normal management, the cuttings will root and sprout in about a week.
3. Other Propagation Methods
Besides cutting propagation, Variegated Star Jasmine can also be propagated by layering. Before layering, you likewise need to select good branches; both perennial branches and young shoots can be layered. However, the layering time differs depending on the branch: perennial branches should be layered in spring, while young shoots should be layered in summer. When layering, first girdle the branch at a position about 20 cm from the base, then disinfect it and let it dry, then press it directly into the soil. Carry out good water and fertilizer management, and wait until the branch roots; once the branch is thick and strong and new shoots have grown, it will gradually take root. At this point, it can be separated directly from the mother plant into a single plant.
The above is a brief introduction to the cutting and propagation of Variegated Star Jasmine. When propagating, Variegated Star Jasmine is still mainly grown from cuttings, because layering is rather troublesome to carry out and the rooting cycle is relatively long, so it is not commonly used. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help you!