Question
QUESTION: Hello,

For quite some time now I have been growing Sambac Jasmines.  I have tried cuttings in order have more Jasmines but, the sun light in my area is insufficient and I have even tried putting the cuttings under a grow light, but only on a rare occasion does it work.  I was wondering if there is any way to actually take the seeds from the Jasmine its self and plant them that way instead of making a cutting?  I have always been curios to know how a Jasmine looks like when it first starts to sprout.  I have no idea where the seeds are exactly located in the flower, and how long should germination take?  Thank you very much.

ANSWER: Hi Habib,
Thanx for your question.  Before I attempt to answer it, can you tell me what your general location is?
thx,
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tom, sorry it took me soo long to reply to your question, I am living in Seattle Washington.

Answer
Hi Habib,
Sorry to take so long in answering your question.  It appears that the sambac jasmines are propagated by cuttings here in the U.S.  Some sources indicate the flowers are self sterile and do not set fruit but other sources in the Pacific Islands indicate that a berry is present after blooming and that wild varieties of this plant set seed and are dispersed by birds.  You shouldn't have any problem with cuttings under a grow light.  The key to cuttings is keeping the  bottom of the growing medium warm.  You can buy a horticultural heating mat at most nurseries.  Keep the cuttings misted (twice a day misting or enclose the planting inside a clear plastic bag to maintain humidity.  With that, you should be successful in getting cuttings to root under lights.  If by some chance your flowers set the berries, allow the berries to ripen and fall off the plant.  Clean off all of the pulp around the seed and then plant it barely covered in soil.  You may have to nick the coating of the seed to speed up germination.  It should take a couple of weeks to germinate at warm temperatures.  Remember that some sources indicate the plant is self-sterile and may not produce viable seeds.  I hope this helps.
tom