Jasmine bushes are plants of the genus Jasminum, belonging to the botanical family Oleaceae, which are highly appreciated for their beautiful and aromatic flowers, originating from the Old World (Middle and Far East). In that region, its flowers have a spiritual value, currently they are widely cultivated in gardens in different parts of the planet. Next we present its care to Prune the Jasmine.
Jasmine
The gender Jasminum It is made up of 200 species, they are plants that have a bushy and climbing growth habit, with very striking flowers of various colors such as yellow, violet, pink and white, which is how it is found most in nature and gardens. The origin and meaning of the name Jasmine comes from the Persian "Yasmin" which means fragrance. They symbolize decorum and grace. Its flowers open for about 24 hours showing their greatest grandeur during the night hours and emitting their attractive perfume, due to this it receives the vernacular name of "queen of the night".
Among the species of this genus, the most cultivated is the species Jasminum officinale Known by its common or vernacular name of summer jasmine, it is native to India, Pakistan, northern Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal and western China. It is a climbing species that reaches about 6 meters in height, the color of its flowers is white and its inflorescence is in the form of bouquets, it grows well in sunny places and where the wind affects them very little.
Among the Jasmine plants, plants of the species are quite popular. Jasminum nudiflorum, which receives the common name of winter jasmine or yellow jasmine. They are characterized by the beautiful yellow color of their flowers, this species is not scented. It is native to Tibet in central China. Its leaves are opposite and pinnate, dark green, its flowers are solitary with six petals and grow in the axils. This shrub can behave as a climber if it grows supported by a good structure, and can easily be extended.
Medicinal Characteristic
Jasmine plants can be used to prepare and be taken as an infusion for its analgesic, antidepressant, muscle relaxant, aphrodisiac, calming and anti-stress properties. Its essential oil can also be extracted and used for anti-stress massages and for cosmetic purposes. Etymologically, its name comes from the Hispanic Arabic yas[ a]min, from classical Arabic yāsamīn and means “gift from God”.
From Jasmine, its essences and floral tops are used. Among its properties is to be: antiseptic, pectoral and vulnerary. It can be applied to relieve asthma, stomach, wound, intimate hygiene and skin problems. Its chemical composition of (0,2 to 0,3%) the essence of jasmine contains ketone, jasmone, which is responsible for its particular fragrance, linalool, lanalyl acetates, and benzyl between 40 to 60%.
Jasmine Pruning
Like all plants, Jasminum it has to be pruned for better aesthetics of the plant, phytosanitary pruning to eliminate diseased parts, training pruning to direct its growth, the tools and equipment to use, when to prune and the different types of pruning and others are indicated below.
Pruning tools and care
Few tools are needed to prune jasmine, these depend on the size of the plant, its age, and the jasmine species, whether it has a bushy or climbing growth habit, the tools required are the following:
- Small and medium pruning shears.
- A ladder to reach the high branches, in case of being extended in great height.
- Basic safety utensils or accessories such as gloves and glasses.
To maintain the useful life of the tools, it is suggested to carry out maintenance every time they finish pruning the jasmine plants. Among the care that must be done are the following:
- Use the appropriate tools when pruning, for juvenile branches it is suggested to use a good pruning shears of small size. When woody or older branches are to be cut, it is suggested to use the largest pruning shears because they are more resistant and thus will not be forced when having to use them.
- It is suggested that you clean and oil the tools before storing to remove the remains of cut leaves and branches, as well as plant substances that can oxidize the blades, this can be done with chlorine, water and an oiled cloth to wipe once it is dry and washed, in order to keep the pruning shears lubricated.
- Keep the edges of the pruning shears smooth and sharp. Also, varnish the wooden handles from time to time to prevent them from cracking or splintering.
When to Prune Jasmine
It can be said that Jasmine plants are easy to prune. Before pruning, the right moment must be taken into account to carry out the proper pruning, which is very different from pruning in summer or in summer to plants of the genus. Jasminum, since this is conditioned by the species of the plant.
As was said before, it depends on the species, because there is summer jasmine and winter jasmine. For example, him Jasmine officinalis, it is a summer jasmine, which can be pruned at any time of the year. Carrying out the most demanding pruning during the winter season. Once the frost seasons have passed and the spring season arrives, which is the season when the jasmine plants develop and grow more, the pruning wounds will quickly seal.
Another time to do the pruning is at the end of flowering, during this pruning you have to leave two or three flower buds in each flowery bouquet. To guarantee the new shoots of the next year. Likewise, winter jasmine is suggested to be pruned after flowering ends, in order to make the plants grow strong and the following season's flowering to be good.
Depending on where you are living in a place with a temperate climate, that is, in the northern hemisphere or in the southern hemisphere. Keep in mind that winter jasmine blooms from June to October if you live in the southern hemisphere. The same happens for summer jasmine, they bloom between the months of April to June if they live in the northern hemisphere and between the months of November to January in case the plant is being cultivated in a place in the southern hemisphere.
how to prune
How to prune jasmine depends on the type of growth of the species of the Jasminum, that is, if it grows as a bush, climber or if it is being cultivated in a pot. In addition, to carry out phytosanitary pruning in case it has some diseased branches, or growth pruning when you want to give the plant a balanced growth pattern. The following shows how the Pruning is executed in Jasmine, namely:
bush pruning
When pruning a bushy Jasmine, the goal is to shape the Jasmine and maintain its aesthetics. When pruning, it helps to ensure better ventilation of the crown and better reception of sunlight by the plant. Before carrying out the pruning, care must be taken to observe the pruning of previous years. This is because when pruning it has to be done up to the level of the previous pruning.
It is suggested to cut the branches that go inwards and that grow horizontally. When they meet parallel branches, one branch is cut and the other is left intact. It is suggested to remove the sprouts that grow on the foot when they are weak or poorly located and it is not important that they continue to grow.
Climbing or vine pruning
Seeing a jasmine with climbing or vine-like growth, it can be intimidating at first. It is best to calm down, and check the direction of the intertwined stems. To achieve pruning, it is best to prune one stem at a time. Avoid for wanting to finish soon and pruning several stems at the same time. It is suggested that you start with the smallest branches and discover the main stems as you go.
It is suggested that you pick the branches when you find them quite intertwined. This is to prevent the intersecting branches from damaging each other when they rub. You have to cut the branch that is not growing in the right direction. In case of observing that the Climbing Jasmine, becoming quite heavy, a severe pruning must be carried out. For this, the branches are chosen, especially those that are not oriented correctly and make a cut at 1 meter, this will help reduce weight and allow a balanced and balanced growth.
Severe pruning in a Jasmine can be carried out without inconvenience, since the plant supports them adequately. When you have pruned a Climbing Jasmine, you not only have to cut branches, you have to take on the task of untangling and reorienting branches that are growing in the wrong direction.
Pruning Jasmine in a pot
If you are growing a potted Jasmine plant, remember that they are bushy plants with woody stems that grow vigorously. Due to this, to keep the Jasmine at an adequate size, it will be necessary to Prune the Jasmine more frequently than if it were cultivated directly in the ground or is a species of climbing Jasmine, in order to control its size. A tip for Pruning Pot Grown Jasmine, prune 10 to 20% of each new growth in the vegetative state.
In addition to Pruning the Jasmine grown in a pot, you have to be aware of the moment of transplanting. The transplant must be carried out when you begin to see the roots that are emerging from the hole in the pot. At that time, it is suggested that the roots be pruned, if so the jasmine plant can be reseeded in the same pot. It is also the time to decide to transplant to another pot. When transplanting your Jasmine, you must first prune the foliage of the plant. It is advisable to prune two thirds of the jasmine plant so that the plant grows healthier after transplanting.
Phytosanitary pruning
To improve the health of the Jasmine plant, it is recommended to carry out a pruning to eliminate dead branches, this type of pruning can be carried out in different seasons of the year. In case of pruning to eliminate suckers, caused by excess vigor, it is suggested that you prune it in winter. The branches to cut during a phytosanitary pruning are the following:
- Dead, dry, broken or diseased branches.
- Dry stumps (pieces of branches that have no buds and are dead).
- Root sprouts that are weak or poorly located and you do not want them to sprout again.
- Crossed branches, badly oriented or that entangle a lot.
- Suckers that protrude too far from the bush due to having too much energy.
- Flowers and fruits already dead or withered. To improve the aesthetics of Jasmine as well and consume energy.
Maintenance and Cultivation
Jasmines are cultivated primarily for their beautiful and fragrant flowers, they can be grown in gardens, in pots as an interior decoration plant and also for cut flowers. When its flowers open they last around 24 hours. In the region of Andalusia in Spain they are highly valued, their flowers are collected two hours before opening to make biznagas (flower arrangements).
The plants of this genus require sunlight to grow in nature in tropical regions, when they are used to grow in pots and locate inside a house or commercial premises, it must be placed so that it is quite illuminated and if it is planted in Gardens can receive plenty of direct sunlight and will also do well in slightly shaded locations. Some species of the genus Jasminum they are resistant to cold, although in general they do not resist frost well.
They are plants that adapt to any type of soil, that are fertile and have good drainage. They like moist and well-drained soil, it is suggested to water frequently and especially during the months of the summer season in regions with a temperate climate and in countries with tropical climates, when the temperature is warmer and rainfall is scarce. For its care, the following instructions must be followed:
- Jasmine bushes and climbers are plants that grow well in good light conditions, for this reason it is suggested to plant or locate in places that receive good sunlight or that are moderately shaded.
- When the jasmine plant is grown in pots, it must be taken into account that the drainage holes of the pot are wide, so that the irrigation water drains well and does not stagnate. Stagnant water affects the phytosanitary conditions of jasmine.
- Jasmine plants require soil with a good amount of organic matter. If it is grown in a pot, you have to apply fertilizers with a formula rich in potassium.
- During the spring and summer seasons, the plant requires water and nutrients because it is its time of vegetative development and fruiting, therefore it requires sufficient water. During the winter season, the plant enters its resting stage, so the amount of irrigation water it needs is less.
- Although jasmine plants grow naturally in places with very good lighting, some of the 200 species that exist in nature, some can be cultivated to be used as ornamental plants for interiors. In garden houses and nurseries they can indicate which species are best suited for growing in pots inside a home.
- Plants of the genus Jasminum they adapt well to different temperatures, but since it is a silver native to the tropics, it grows better in warm climates and does not adapt to places where frosts occur, or temperatures below 0°C.
- It is suggested to keep the soil moist without exceeding the amount of irrigation water, due to this, it is suggested to water three times a week in a moderate way during the summer and spring seasons and once a week in the colder months of autumn and winter. . If it rains a lot it is better to stop watering.
- These plants like to receive direct sunlight. In case of growing inside a house, it is suggested to place it dry in a window or door where it receives enough light.
- The soil preferably is loose, porous and well drained. Rich in organic matter and also to improve its fertility, organic manure or chemical fertilizer can be applied, following the doses indicated by a specialist, especially before planting the Jasmine plant.
- Fertilization. It is suggested to pay before planting the Jasmine plant and then sow the plant, to prevent the plant from burning, if the fertilizer is chemical add a small dose and away from the plant, if it is organic mix with the soil. It is also good to pay or fertilize when the plant is going to flower, it is suggested that it be a fertilizer or an organic fertilizer rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
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