How to grow jasmine
How to grow jasmine
In this practical sheet we will see to give simple and clear indications on how to cultivate jasmine both in the gardens and also in the large pots.
Jasmine (Jasminum L.) is a genus of plants belonging to the Oleaceae family. These include about 200 species of shrubs and vines that can grow up to 4-6 meters, among which the cultivated ornamental plants are the common jasmine, the Spanish jasmine, the trifolied jasmine and the jasmine marzolino; other more rustic species, with a yellow flower and a winter flowering on the bare branches, are the jasmine of St. Joseph and the J. primulinum. Jasmine, due to the particular scent of flowers, is used not only as an ornamental plant, but also for the production of natural essences and herbal teas.
The cultivation of jasmine can be done both in the ground, in the gardens, but also in the pot having the foresight in this last case to obtain large pots that give the roots of the plant enough soil to spread. For its cultivation, remember that, even if it originates from the warm Middle Eastern areas, it is a very rustic plant that bears the coldest temperatures of our climate. The care taken in its cultivation should be placed in the need to provide the jasmine plant with guardians, trellises or pergolas with which to support it.
It can be grown both as a sapling tree (and a guardian is necessary here) as well as in a very fragrant pergola but also as a green wall, provided it is not subjected to brackish winds which is very bad. If grown outdoors it needs irrigation especially during the first years of life; then the irrigation is necessary only occasionally, especially with drier periods to give more vigor to the plant. Jasmine prefers a normal garden soil, light, fresh but well drained and with a good supply of organic substance; the position can be half-shade while it is preferable more sunny in the northern regions.
The jasmine is reproduced by cuttings or frequently by layering. The cultivation of jasmine is very simple but the greatest attention must be given to its form of rearing for which, especially from the time when it is planted in the garden or in pots it will have to proceed, through pruning, to give it the shape it will have to assume at maturity . If the tree-like shape has to be removed immediately remove the lateral branches and support it with a vegetal raffia to a support, to make assume to the main trunk a more upright possible shape. The same thing should be done if you have to create a pergola; the plant should be supported by a guardian, pruning all the lateral branches gradually (without exaggerating so as not to depress it). Finally, if you have to create a green part, you must first ensure the long branches that are gradually formed with raffia; then it will be the plant with its growth system anchored well to the network or the grid. As mentioned it is important that there are no constant and strong winds, especially loads of salt, which no longer vegetates the jasmine that, although not dying, very little and badly vegetates. As for plant diseases, it is a very resistant plant. If you do not use synthetic fertilizers (especially nitrates) the plant grows strong and some “nuisance” may be represented by some cochineal; in this case, before flowering, you can wash with Marseille soap and water to clean the plant.