INTRODUCTION:
Cestrum nocturnum commonly known as Night Blooming Jasmine has the best long-term fragrance that cover a huge area around the garden region - they seems to emit the scent far more stronger and longer throughout the night. However as strange as it seemed - the scent mysteriously disappear during day time without any hit of those scent.
This Jasmine also known with many different names such as: Lady of the Night, Night Jasmine, Dama de Noche, Galan de Noche and Queen of the Night. Night blooming Jasmine is native to Central and South America and the West Indies, however been cultivated in most tropical & subtropical regions around the world. This tropical plant is hardy and easy to care for and cultivate.
The flowers are in tubular shape almost like needle like clustered inflorescent flowering plant. It has the greenish white coloration and only blooms at night.
Also on the side note - this plant is also identified to have psychoactive elements however more research and studies is in progress.
LIGHT:
Being a Tropical plant does require good strong indirect bright sunshine, It can tolerate growing in shaded area however it must receive at least 6 hours of sunshine. It does not do well in heavy shaded area and may not bloom in such conditions. Also the leaves may turn yellow and also become leggy. Another factor in the lack of sunlight may cause the plant to become stress and can attract pest to heavily attack on them.
Hence do give a thought if your are not having open garden area as this would not so well as indoor plant - even placing them as a balcony potted plant can be challenging if they receive inadequate light.
SOIL MEDIUM:
Considering one of the most basic thing about planting material - this one doesn't require anything special - just any balanced potting mix will do. They seem to do fine in a medium or big potted plant - however they will do great if they are planted directly into the garden soil as these will require just that to produce those lovely blooms.
However if limitation occurs where you can only grow in pot - then a good balanced potting mix with rich amount of organic material and equal part of well drained soil which will help from root rot.
Instance as such as these - they are often planted straight into open garden land where they are not in a pot - hence they appear hardy and able to take the heavy pruning.
WATERING & FEEDING:
It may require a good adequate watering - both morning and evening based on the size of the plant.
You can grow it in a nice medium or large size pot, the plant will behave and grow based on the size of the pot. However I would recommend this to grow freely on ground if you want lushful beautiful constant blooms.
Also this plant is a heavy feeder and do feed adequately during the flowering season.
However take note that over-watering can cause them to bud-drop especially during the rainy season, hence a well balance fast draining medium to ensure no root rot occurs.
PRUNING:
One of the most challenging part for this shrub is pruning. They do grow extremely fast and become very unruly if not proper care is not given - especially when it comes to growth factor, this plant focus more on branching more stem and over growth rather than blooms which can be one of the down-side coming from this ever blooming plant.
However with the right pruning method and keeping it trimmed and manageable size - this one can be such a beauty. As shown here - the appearance of the blooms can last at least for few months until the next pruning session is done to maintain the blooming cycle from interruption.
This consideration applies very accurately when the plant is matured and had grown for years - that is if it is not flowering in its full potential. Other factors involving lighting / watering / feeding is also essential and necessary.
PEST CONTROL:
I had found this one seemed to be a very sensitive plant without strong resistant to pest attack in comparison to many other floral plant. Often mealybugs are found around the flowerbud farmed by ants and occasionally sap sucking insects too are found at the bottom of the leaves.
Occasionally I had come across that if the plant is anyway stressed or lacking nutrients may face some damage on it's foliage but rarely fatal to the plant.
Keeping the plant - Pruned and Compact does make the plant focused on its blooming cycle and also able to take immediate action if any unruly pest attack where pruning is much easily handled rather than spraying pesticide all over the plant.
Apart from this factor, other matters are very much similar with most tropical garden plants.
PROPAGATION:
Propagation can be done but stem cutting, stripping off the bottom leaves and poking it into a deep pot with a rich potting soil. Keep it in shade until you notice a new leaves growth.
Another method is to put the cutting into perlite medium (soaked in water) Once taken roots, it should be carefully transplanted into a good potting mix.. Another alternative is seed propagation Being from a member of a nightshade family - these appear to be easy to propagate in comparison to other types of Jasmines.
TOXICITY:
This particular Jasmine is not a true Jasmine but from a potato family from the member of the nightshade family which is often associated with toxicity - in this case, all parts of the plants are poisonous if ingested. They also do from attractive clustered white berries like fruits which are poisonous and therefore do practice caution when having children or pets around which may accidentally consume them.
Here are the additional plant pictures of the Night Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) on how it looks like in portrait size view:
Do click on the link below for more information on Other Types of Tropical Fragrant Flowers:
