Hello Carol,
Can you start Night Blooming Jasmine from cuttings and the use of Rootone and if so how should i go about it?
Thanks,
Rick
Stuart

Hello Rick;
Thanks for the question about one of my favorite plants, Cestrum nocturnum or Night Blooming Jasmine. There are several Cestrums that grow in Florida, many of them weedy species and unfortunately the Night-Blooming species does tend to pop up around the garden, but for me, it is a small price to pay for a plant with such a “nose.”

Night Blooming Jasmine is native to the West Indies. It is a shrub that can grow to 12 feet, but more often is seen at 4 to 6 feet tall. In the day, it is an unassuming shrub, plain, green leaves, preferring to grow in full sun to partial shade, is somewhat drought tolerant, but prefers an occasional application of water, few pests, and no salt tolerance. It is at night when this plant “blooms” – pun intended. Throughout the year, but more so in warm weather, Cestrum blooms in cycles with an abundance or creamy white to green small flowers, nothing much to look at, but OH MY, what a fragrance! I have to report that there are some people who dislike the smell and some who are allergic, fragrance is truly a personal thing. My perfume may be your stench, but for me, the fragrance from Cestrum nocturnum is the sweetest.

Fortunately for you Rick, Night Blooming Jasmine is easy to propagate. It will propagate from seeds and cuttings that root easily with or without the use of a root promoting substance like Rootone.

Here are a few tips on making cuttings from the University of Florida publication Propagation of Landscape Plants found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG108

“The key to successfully rooting cuttings and germinating seeds is a moist environment maintained at a favorable temperature. Environmental control is less important for other propagation methods, such as layering, because the mother plant provides some degree of support to the developing new plant. However, most cuttings and young seedlings are susceptible to environmental stress and will be successful only if an appropriate environment is provided.

An environment with a relative humidity near 100 percent will minimize water loss from cuttings and developing seedlings, although water loss is less critical for seedlings than cuttings. Cuttings cannot take water from the medium to replace that lost through the leaves, so if high rates of water loss occur, cuttings will dry-out. Temperature influences the physiological activity of plants. Excessively high or low temperatures injure plants or slow their growth and development, but temperatures in the range of 70°F to 80°F (21°C to 27°C) stimulate optimum growth and development for most plants.

The home gardener can provide a warm, humid environment for seed germination and rooting of cuttings by construction or purchasing small-scale propagation units. These units are inexpensive, require little attention, and are convenient to use in the home landscape or indoors...

Large plastic pots and a plastic bag can be used to create a suitable propagation environment Stick the cutting in a moist propagation medium in the container and add moisture as required. Place the whole container in a large, clear plastic bag. Wire hoops or stakes can be used to prevent the plastic bag from laying on the cuttings or seedlings...

The placement of these simple structures is critical. Put the structures in diffused light and never in full sun. The temperature in these sealed units will rapidly become too high in full sun, and cutting or seedling injury or death will result. Units kept indoors should be placed near a north window or under fluorescent lights for 12 to 16 hours per day. Temperatures of 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C) should be maintained. Although these units are designed to prevent moisture loss, routine examination of the moisture level is suggested. Add moisture if no water has condensed on the inside of these units overnight, or if the propagation medium appears dry.”

Rick, I have made good propagation units from large soda bottles. Simply cut the bottle so that there is an area of 4 inches or so at the bottom for soil, take the cuttings and cover with the top of the bottle, cap removed. Place in a bright, but shady location and check regularly for moisture. Cestrum nocturnum will do well with any of these units. Take 4 inch cuttings from branch tips that are starting to harden up. We call these semi-hardwood cuttings. You do not want the brand new growth tips; these tend to wilt very easily which will delay rooting. Also, you do not want a section of the stem that is very woody; these tend to take a long time to root. However, you have chosen a plant that is very forgiving and should root for you in 6 to 12 weeks.

Good Luck and Happy Gardening,
Carol