Jasmine

Jasmine
Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) - USDA Zone 9 through 11. It is generally a woody shrub, or a climbing or trailing vine. There are 200 species, mostly from Asia, Europe and Africa. Jasmine is native to tropical and warm temperate regions. It reaches to a height of 10 to 15 feet, growing approximately 12 to 24 inches per year.Jasmine leaves are either evergreen or deciduous. The leaf arrangement is opposite in most species. Leaf shape is simple, tri-foliate or pinnate with five to nine leaflets, each up to two and half inches long. Some are yellow in color while most of the species bear white flowers which are one inch in size. Flowers in the olive family, known as Oleaceae, usually have four corolla lobes but Jasmine is an exception having five or sixes lobes. Petals have strong and sweet fragrance. Flowering takes place in summer or spring, usually six months after planting.

Jasmine Growing Conditions
Jasmine prefer full sun to partial shade and a warm site. They grow well in moist, well drained, sandy loam to clayey garden soil with moderate level of fertility. Adding of leaf molds to the soil makes it better for the growth of the plant. Mild fertilizer should be applied during spring.

Plenty of water should be given during summer but this can be reduced during winter. If the plant is to be grown indoors, then bright, indirect or curtain-filtered sunlight should be given. In winter these indoor plant should be provided with full sunlight up to at least four hours a day. Temperature should range from 68 to 72 degree Fahrenheit at night, during day 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit will be an ideal range of temperature.

Jasmine Care and Cultivation


One or two initial ploughings are required to remove the weeds present in the land. It should be followed by the digging of pits at a size of thirty centimeters. Farmyard Manure (FYM) should be used to fill these digs.

Jasmine bushes should be planted during June to November. Plants should be kept at least eight feet apart in order to allow for the full grown size of the plant. Additional fertilizer should be added each spring. Phosphorous and Potassium should be applied in two split doses, once after annual pruning and again during June and July.

Younger plants should be tied with the stems to give a fairly heavy support. Tips of the plants should be pinched to stimulate lateral growth and frequent pruning should be done to restrain growth. If the vine is to be grown as a ground-cover, the upward twining stems will need trimming. First irrigation should be given immediately after planting and subsequent irrigation at an interval of seven to ten days. Stem cutting and sowing of seeds are handy methods for the propagation of the plant.

•Mild fertilizers are required for best growth.
•Temperature must be controlled.
•Jasmine needs regular pinching and shaping to control growth.
•If not planted at a proper distance, plants will quickly become crowded.
•Containerized plants should be planted in the fall.
•Fully developed, unopened flower buds should be picked in early morning.
Jasmine Uses
•Dried flowers of Arabian Jasmine are used to flavor Jasmine tea
•Flowers are used to make garlands.
•Its oil is used in perfumes and food flavorings.
•It is used in Ayurvedic medicines.
•Jasmine is used for mouth ulcers, and its fresh juice is applied to corns.
•It is also used as an alternative for cancers as well as viral and bacterial infections.
•It has antidepressant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, sedative and uterine supporting properties.