When to Sow Jasmine
As a representative of traditional Chinese fragrant flower plants, the timing of sowing jasmine directly affects the subsequent growth of the plants. Mastering the sowing time window and the key points of seedling raising can make the jasmine seedlings stronger during the critical growth period. This article will systematically analyze the whole process of sowing from climate selection to practical operation steps.
Best Season for Sowing Jasmine
In most parts of China, February to May is considered the golden sowing period for jasmine, with a stable daily average temperature between 18-25°C, which avoids the risk of late spring cold and can use spring rain to improve soil moisture. In tropical areas such as Guangdong and Guangxi, sowing can be brought forward to late January. It is recommended to start in mid-March in the Yangtze River Valley, while in the north, greenhouse seedling raising needs to maintain a ground temperature of ≥15°C. It is particularly important to avoid the high summer temperatures, as temperatures above 32°C can lead to seed dormancy.
Three Principles for Seasonal Adjustment
① Observe the blooming time of local kapok as a phenological reference indicator; ② Use a continuous 5-day average temperature ≥16°C as the starting standard; ③ For every 100-meter increase in altitude in mountainous areas, the sowing time should be postponed by 3-5 days.
Jasmine Sowing Four-Step Operation Guide
Techniques for Selecting High-Quality Seeds
Choose plump seeds with a diameter ≥2mm and select them in salt water: those that sink are of good quality. Old seeds need to be soaked in a gibberellin solution of 100ppm to activate them, and the germination rate of seeds harvested in the same year can reach over 85%.
Scientific Germination Method
Use the variable temperature germination technique: first soak the seeds in 50°C warm water for 30 minutes to sterilize, then transfer to a 35°C constant temperature water bath for 12 hours, and finally wrap in damp gauze and place in a 25°C dark box, wait until 30% of the seeds show white before sowing.
Substrate Mixture Scheme
It is recommended to use a mixed substrate of peat soil: perlite: decomposed pine needles = 5:3:2, adjust the pH value to 6.0-6.5. Disinfect with a potassium permanganate solution 800 times before sowing, and the recommended thickness is 8-10cm.
Accurate Sowing Essentials
Use the hole sowing method, place 2-3 seeds in each hole, and cover the soil with a thickness 1.5 times the diameter of the seeds. After sowing, build a 50% shade net, maintain the substrate moisture at 60%-70%, and the seedlings will emerge in 5-7 days.
It takes about 10-12 months from sowing to flowering, during which there are three key pot changes. Mastering the spatiotemporal elements and operational details described in this article, and supplementing with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer regularly, can result in high-quality jasmine plants with an increased number of flowers.