How to help potted Jasmine survive the winter
The article talks about the cultivation of the woody flower Jasmine, discussing how to help potted Jasmine survive the winter. Let's delve into the details below.
Jasmine potted plants require a growing medium rich in organic matter and with good drainage and aeration. A general mix can include 4 parts garden soil, 4 parts compost, 2 parts river sand or rice husk ash, and a sufficient amount of well-rotted cake meal, chicken or duck manure, sieved to remove fine powder and coarse particles, using the coarse particles as a base and top layer.
The best time for potting Jasmine is from April to May, before the new shoots start to grow. Choose an appropriate pot size based on the plant's size. When potting, support the plant with one hand and fill the pot with soil with the other, lifting the plant slightly after the roots are covered and tapping the pot to ensure good contact between the soil and roots. Press the soil down and leave a 2 cm gap from the pot's edge for watering. After planting, water the plant and keep it in a shaded area for 7-10 days, avoiding direct sunlight, then gradually expose it to light.
The key to daily management of potted Jasmine is water, considering its preference for moisture, intolerance to drought, aversion to waterlogging, and need for aeration. From June to July, the plant can bloom. At this time, the roots have resumed normal growth, and a dilute sulfate fertilizer should be applied every 7-10 days. Thereafter, manage the plant as an adult, and no repotting is needed for the year.
Jasmine loves fertilizer, especially during the long blooming period when more nutrients are required. It also prefers acidic soil, and a dilute sulfate fertilizer can be applied weekly. After the first bloom, apply soybean cake as a top dressing, and during blooming, apply bone meal and phosphate fertilizer. If conditions allow, applying decomposed human waste can enhance the fragrance of the Jasmine. During the hot summer blooming period, fertilize every 4 days, with morning watering and evening fertilizing, and water again the next day to aid root absorption. Do not apply too concentrated fertilizer, as it can cause root rot. Loosen the soil slightly before fertilizing, avoiding over-dry or over-wet conditions.
After blooming, prune the spent flower branches to promote new growth and control plant height. Stop fertilizing in early September to increase stem maturity, aiding in wintering. Jasmine dislikes cold temperatures and should be moved indoors when temperatures drop to 6-7°C, while ensuring proper ventilation to avoid yellowing and leaf drop. When the weather warms up, move the plant outdoors for ventilation and sunlight. Keep the plant in a sunny room with a temperature above 5°C, watering once every 7 days to keep the soil slightly moist, maintaining its ornamental value during winter.
Potted Jasmine should be repotted annually. During repotting, remove some of the old soil and dead roots and replace with new soil to improve soil structure and nutrient content. After repotting, water thoroughly to aid root-soil contact and recovery. Prune the plant before repotting, leaving about 10 cm of last year's branches and removing diseased, dead, dense, or thin branches.
During the growing season, remove dense old leaves to promote axillary bud growth and the development of new branches and flower buds. In spring, water every 2-3 days, and during the blooming period, increase watering slightly. In the hot summer, water twice a day, especially during dry spells. In autumn, reduce watering to every 1-2 days, and in winter, strictly control the amount of water to avoid over-wet conditions.
Jasmine is not drought-tolerant and dislikes waterlogging. Accumulated water in the pot should be removed during rainy summers, and watering should be reduced in autumn and strictly controlled in winter.
Jasmine is not cold-tolerant and has poor resistance to cold. It is usually potted in areas other than the south and Fujian, and moved indoors after the first frost and before the start of winter.
When first moved indoors, place the Jasmine in a well-ventilated, sunny area. Before severe cold arrives, cover the pot with a plastic bag, and use wire or bamboo stakes to support the plant. Place it in a sunny spot during the day, avoiding northwest winds, and move it to the warmest place at night. When temperatures rise above 10°C, open the plastic bag for ventilation. Maintain a night temperature of 5-8°C, ensuring the temperature stays above 0°C and the soil does not freeze for safe wintering.
Watering during winter is crucial. Minimize watering and do not fertilize. Reduce indoor watering by 30-40% compared to outdoor conditions, adjusting based on the plant's growth, size, and pot material. Water only when the soil is dry and the leaves are soft, using water slightly warmer than the soil temperature, preferably in the middle of the day. As temperatures rise before moving the plant outdoors, be careful to prevent both dryness and moisture, following the "slightly moist but not dry" principle.
The above is the complete content on how to help potted Jasmine survive the winter. Green plant enthusiasts may find this information useful for reference.