Question
Hello. I am in Missoula, MT and have a Jasmine tree problem. My
Jasminee Tree used to be in really good shape for a long time
and would bloom quite often. It recently started loosing all its
leaves and looking ill. So when the weather warmed up, I took it
outside thinking it would be good for it yet it only has made it
worse. I really do not want to loose this tree, my deceased
mother gave it to me so I really can't bear for it to die on me.  I
read one of your replies to a gal that was having simular
problems, and you told her to put it in a dark place for about six
to eight weeks and prune it. Is this what I should do and if so
how exactly do I prune it? I have never pruned an indoor tree
and do not want to hurt it any. Any information you could give
me to help me keep my tree alive would be so appreciated.
                         Thank You so Much!!
                               Ara

Answer
Hi Ara,

I never told anyone to put their Jasmine in a completely dark place for 6-8 weeks. That would kill it for sure. I did say that completely dark NIGHTS for 6-8 weeks starting in October will help promote flowers on a healthy Jasmine. That means lots of sun during the day.

Jasmine should be pruned back annually. Pruning not only encourages flowering, it also creates a more compact plant and it will keep it from falling apart after it has more leaves than the indoor light can support.

Jasmine usually bloom in January. Normally Jasmine is cut way back to half its size following a winter bloom and then new growth is kept pinched back to promote fullness until August. Keep the soil moist and fertilize regularly when it is putting out new growth. In August, discontinue the pinching In October; give it completely dark nights and cool temps (40 to 50 degrees) to promote January bloom. Keep the soil a bit more on the dry side and provide lots of sun during the day. It is usually recommended that you do this for 6 to 8 weeks. This will help set the buds. After that normal room temperatures and a sunny window will suffice. This is a difficult regimen to provide. If you can only do this for a few weeks, it is better than not at all. If you cannot do it at all, your plant will remain healthy but it may not bloom quite as much. In any case do not fertilize during the winter months. In the late winter or early spring, prune the entire plant back by half. New growth will soon emerge. Flowers appear only on new growth.

All of that said, yours in out of sync and probably should be pruned back now. You should prune it back by at least half, and perhaps nearly all the way back (within 6 inches of the soil) because it is apparently so overgrown and may need a completely fresh start.

Pruning will not harm a healthy Jasmine no matter how far back you prune. Just remember that new growth will emerge and grow out from a point on the stem just below where you make the pruning cut.

I know this is complex, so please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.