Watering and Fertilizing Methods and Precautions for Orange Jessamine Throughout the Four Seasons

Orange jessamine (Aglaia odorata) is a very lovely plant; especially when it blooms, its fragrance fills the air and its flowers are cute and delightful. But if you want orange jessamine to grow well, you must master how to water and fertilize it. Watering should be based mainly on the actual climate and environment, while fertilizing should be determined by the plant's growth condition, so neither is a fixed quantity.

I. Ways to Water Orange Jessamine

1. Watering in Spring

In spring, the weather gradually warms and temperatures rise, and orange jessamine begins to enter its growth period. At this time the amount of water needed gradually increases, but you should still water according to the weather and the moisture level of the potting soil. Generally speaking, water less on cloudy days, do not water on rainy days, and on sunny days usually water once every 2 to 3 days.

2. Watering in Summer

Summer is the peak growth period for orange jessamine, and its water demand is very high, so you must keep moisture sufficient. Usually you need to water once a day; if the weather is too hot, you can water once in the morning and once in the evening. In addition to watering, you also need to spray water mist on the orange jessamine plant to cool it down and keep it moist.

3. Watering in Autumn

In autumn, temperatures gradually turn cooler, and the growth of orange jessamine gradually slows down. At this time the amount of watering should be gradually reduced. After late autumn arrives, usually water once every 3 to 4 days. Do not water too much, as this can cause waterlogging in the potting soil and root rot.

4. Watering in Winter

In winter, temperatures are relatively low, and orange jessamine enters dormancy. The watering frequency should be reduced further, usually watering once every 10 to 15 days, as long as the potting soil is kept from becoming excessively dry. When watering, you can choose to do it at noon on a sunny day to reduce the temperature difference between water and soil and lessen the harm to the plant.

II. Ways to Fertilize Orange Jessamine

1. Fertilizing in Spring and Summer

The flowering period of orange jessamine is very long, lasting from May all the way to December. Spring and summer are the peak growth season and peak flowering season for orange jessamine, and the nutrients required are also very great. Spring is the growth period, so you can apply a thin nitrogen fertilizer once every ten days to promote the growth of branches and leaves.

When orange jessamine enters its flowering period, it is best to apply a compound fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium once every 15 days. You can also spray a potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution once every 15 days to promote flower bud differentiation and increase the number and quality of orange jessamine blooms.

2. Fertilizing in Autumn and Winter

Although orange jessamine also blooms in autumn and winter, its growth rate gradually slows, so when fertilizing, you should appropriately reduce the frequency and amount to avoid causing root burn. In autumn, you need to appropriately supplement phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Because the continuous blooming of orange jessamine consumes a large amount of nutrients, in early autumn also apply fertilizer water once every half a month, and by late autumn it is best to change to once a month.

After winter begins, it is best not to fertilize orange jessamine. Because winter temperatures are too low, orange jessamine enters dormancy, and at this time its root system's absorption rate of water and fertilizer is greatly reduced. If you fertilize, it may cause root burn.

III. Precautions for Caring for Orange Jessamine

1. Sufficient Light

Now that you know how to water and fertilize orange jessamine, you should also pay attention to some care precautions. Orange jessamine likes light, so you must place it in a sunny spot to grow. With sufficient light, the leaves of orange jessamine can carry out enough photosynthesis, the plant will become relatively short and sturdy rather than leggy, the leaves will be thick and glossy green, and there will also be enough nutrients to promote flower bud differentiation.

2. Repot Every Year

The root system of orange jessamine is relatively well developed, so the soil used to grow it must have sufficient nutrients. Therefore, it is best to repot orange jessamine once every year, using a slightly larger pot and fertile, loose new soil, so that orange jessamine can grow better.

3. Pinching and Thinning Branches

Orange jessamine has very strong sprouting ability. When it grows to a certain height, you must promptly pinch the growing tips and top it to prevent leggy growth, and when the branches grow 15 to 20 leaves, you should also pinch the growing tips. To ensure flowering, you must cut off all overly dense, overly long and relatively weak branches, which can save nutrients and promote growth.