Night Blooming Jasmine Fatality

by Rob Dell
(Los Angeles, CA)

Question: Years ago, when going to night school, I used to walk past a house with Night Blooming Jasmine and it was like Heaven should smell. Over the years, I have bought them at garden stores and online. They get here looking fine. But, when I plant them, it is a death sentence. I have planted them in every name brand of potting soil with and without 50% sand. In a couple of days, they wilt. I crank up the watering. They die. Others start to wilt and I back off the water. They die. I leave them in the pot/soil they came in. They die. This REALLY pisses me off. While these plants drop dead, I watch Palm trees, Dandelions, Carrot Trees, Locust trees, and sundry mystery weeds sprouting and thriving out of every crack in the cement with zero care. Do I have a Black Thumb that is the kiss of death or what? I have easily grown Philodendrons, Monsteras, Asparagus ferns, Blue Nile Lillies, Dusty Millers, Bamboo...etc, just not NBJ's. What am I doing wrong?



Answer: Not really sure if you are doing anything wrong. Here's how I successful grow my night jasmine. I live in St. Petersburg Florida, the soil here is primarily sandy. I don't till the earth with store bought gardening soil. I just plant them in the ground, water and they grow. I choose a location which does not get much direct sunlight. Sunlight is okay, but it does wilt the leaves and make the plant look sick. Just hours after the sunlight turns to shade the plants recover. More shade than sun is best. I do not water my plants much at all. The only thing I do is occasionally add fresh horse manure from a local stable. I've had great success using theses growing methods. To save you from any future loss of plants and money take cuttings from a plant when its healthy. A softwood cutting dipped in rooting hormone and planted in a small container works well. Keep it out of the sunlight until it takes root. Hope this helps.