Jasmine not blooming

by Richard Snead
(Clinton, TN)

Bought a house with an iron fence covered in this vine. Vines are irrigated. Lateral shoots now invading boxwoods and whatnot alongside. Base of fence and roots of vine well shaded; top bushed out to nearly four feet in thickness. Have seen only a few blooms over last several seasons.
It's now July. Located outside Knoxville, TN. When should I do what to prompt these plants to blossum next spring?

Jasmine Hopeful
Clinton, TN


Answer:

Hello Richard.
There is a term “stimulated growth” which refers to plants that are either over fertilized or unbalanced in NPK or other plant nutrients. For example, excessive nitrogen in the soil when the Carolina jasmine should be flowering may trick the plant into continuing rapid shoot growth. So, what you may want to do stop using any high nitrogen fertilizer and used one specifically for flowering plants. Better yet…add some well rotted compost and/or worm castings to the base of the plant before the jasmine should begin flowering. These materials will improve the microbial structure and nutrient content of the soil.

Good luck

Take care.

Steve
www.different-kinds-of-plants.com