How to propagate African jasmines to ensure their survival
If you want to learn how to propagate African jasmines and the methods and precautions for their care, the following is a detailed introduction.
African Jasmine
Growth Habits
It prefers a warm climate and plenty of sunlight but requires avoiding the intense direct sunlight of summer; it enjoys high humidity and good ventilation. African jasmine is not tolerant of cold, dry frost, or drastic temperature drops; it grows best in loose, fertile soil with good drainage; it has strong germination and suckering abilities and is particularly tolerant of repeated pruning. The flowering period is in May, and the fruiting period is from October to December. The plant thrives in warm climates, with an optimal growth temperature of 18°C to 32°C. When the temperature exceeds 38°C in summer, it will inhibit the growth of the plant; in winter, the temperature should not drop below 3°C to 5°C, otherwise, the leaves and tender shoots are easily frostbitten.
Propagation Methods
Seed sowing: It is best to collect mature fruits from October to December, remove the seeds, and then broadcast or row sow them in a loose, fertile sandy loam seedbed, covering the soil with a thickness of 2 to 3 centimeters, and covering with straw or plastic film to keep warm and prevent cold. Alternatively, the seeds can be sand-stored until the seeds crack open and show white before sowing.
Cutting: Cuttings can be made from the end of April to October, but it is best to do so during the plum rain season from June to July for ideal rooting results. Use 1 to 2-year-old healthy branches as cuttings, 12 to 15 centimeters long, with 2 to 3 half leaves, with the lower cut best located 0.2 to 0.3 centimeters below the node. Plant them in peat, sandy loam, vermiculite, or yellowheart soil, with peat soil yielding the best rooting results. Cover with a plastic film to retain moisture and provide shade during sunny weather. Roots can form in 1 to 2 months, with a survival rate of over 80%.
Division: From March to April, when the plants begin to germinate, remove the clump from the pot or dig up the plant from the ground, shake off some of the soil, and cut at the weak points of the root system with a sharp knife to ensure each clump has at least 2 to 3 stems and some intact roots, then plant them separately in the ground or in pots.
Key Management Points
Temperature: African jasmines grow well in warm climates.
Light: African jasmines enjoy sunlight, with their native environment often being semi-shaded. In South China, when used as a garden tree, it is best to choose a location with side shade; in the north of the Yangtze River, potted plants can be exposed to full sunlight in spring and autumn, but require shading in summer or placement under the dense shade of trees, at least avoiding direct sunlight for several hours around noon. It is especially important to provide shade during the hot sunny days after prolonged rain in June and July to prevent the tender shoots and young leaves from being scorched. Public场所's potted plants require ample scattered light or placement near a window, avoiding excessive darkness, otherwise, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off.
Water: Whether planted in the ground or in pots, ample water is required, but the roots should not be waterlogged, as this can easily cause root rot. In spring and autumn, water to keep the potting mix moist; during the plum rain season, prevent waterlogging; in the hot summer, water twice a day to increase humidity and reduce temperature; in winter, for indoor potted plants, keep the potting mix slightly moist and spray water on the leaves around noon when the temperature is relatively higher.
Soil: In southern regions, planting requires a location with loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy loam. In the north, a mixture of 7 parts of decomposed leaf mold, 1 part of river sand, 1 part of decomposed organic fertilizer, and 1 part of fermented sawdust can be used. Loosen the potting mix once a month during the growing season to keep the roots well-ventilated. Additionally, change the potting mix every 1 to 2 years for potted plants.
Fertilizer: During the growing season, potted plants should be fertilized once a month with a dilute, decomposed cake fertilizer; before flowering in May, apply a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer to promote flowering; and after autumn, apply an additional 1 to 2 times of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer to ensure a safe winter. In the north, to prevent leaf yellowing, add 0.2% ferrous sulfate to the watering during the growing season. When planting, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied, and in late autumn, apply cake fertilizer around the root system, 0.5 to 1 kilogram per plant.
Planting Precautions
Placement: African jasmines are sun-loving trees, often in a semi-shaded native environment. Once the plant is severely sunburned, it is difficult to recover its lush canopy in a short time after intensive pruning. For potted plants placed in public indoor spaces, they require ample scattered light or placement near a window, avoiding excessively dark places, otherwise, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off.
Environmental Impact: African jasmines have thick and green leaves that can give people a pleasant feeling visually. The volatile oils produced by African jasmines have significant antibacterial effects. They can help people relax, improve sleep, and increase work efficiency, and they also have antibacterial and detoxifying effects in medicine. On the other hand, these volatile oils can regulate the balance of hormones in the body, and their fragrance is mild and refreshing, having a good effect on improving the home environment.
However, we must know that all organisms need to breathe, and plants also release carbon dioxide during the day, but during the day, photosynthesis is greater than respiration, so macroscopically, oxygen is released. At night, without sunlight, plants only undergo respiration, absorbing a small amount of oxygen and releasing a large amount of carbon dioxide, macroscopically releasing carbon dioxide. For African jasmines, their flowers are fragrant after blooming, and many people like to put them in the bedroom.
The above-mentioned experience on how to propagate African jasmines and the methods and precautions for their care may bring help to you in your life!