Star jasmine help - Ask Extension
Star jasmine dropping leaves since spring at least 20 or so a day the plant has reduced its size tremendously even though it looks fairly large. I wa...
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Star jasmine help #811704
Asked September 21, 2022, 2:58 PM EDT
Star jasmine dropping leaves since spring at least 20 or so a day the plant has reduced its size tremendously even though it looks fairly large. I watered it the same as it’s always been watered, I tried to water less and lost more leaves, I’ve had it for over five years and it’s never done this when transplanted the roots were not rotten it has new growth still it also has seed pods. The plant is too big and too heavy for me to pick up out of the pot to show you a photo of the roots. I’m not sure if there is somewhere to test the soil bring the dropped leaves which are every day in the photo you can see some of the leaves that have not dropped yet or I have not picked off
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Debi and thanks for your question and pictures of your star jasmine and the yellowing leaves. From the picture, you have multiple plants growing in one pot, and although it looks pretty healthy, it will need additional nutrition, especially after 5 years in the same pot. Find a fertilizer recommended for jasmine (look for the numbers 7-9-5, 5-10-10 or 10-10-10) or put a layer of organic compost around the base.
Be sure to prune off branches that are no longer flowering and do give it extra water when we have our hot spells during the summer. The plant likes "moist but well drained soil" so don't let it sit in water. Usually an inch a week is fine.
Here is an article with the basic needs of the plant.
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/trachelospermum-jasminoides
Good luck!
Be sure to prune off branches that are no longer flowering and do give it extra water when we have our hot spells during the summer. The plant likes "moist but well drained soil" so don't let it sit in water. Usually an inch a week is fine.
Here is an article with the basic needs of the plant.
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/trachelospermum-jasminoides
Good luck!
When I transplanted I used organic compost, when I bought it was one plant, it also was given fertilizer the same that I have used over the years, and keep it watered and not sitting in water. This is why I am contacting you I have read and done everything possible and still loosing over 20 leaves a day it is half the size that it was in spring and know you can see through it.my star jasmine has never reacted this way is why I am asking
Hi Debi- It sounds like you have done things right, as far as fertilization and watering. You can get a soil test at A&L Labs which might tell you what the soil is missing or has too much of. They are located in Portland and the following website will tell you what to do. Be sure and tell them what the problem is when you send or take in your sample.
http://www.al-labs-west.com/services.php?section=Soil%20Analysis
You might also want to tip the pot sideways when the soil is damp and pull out the plant to see if it is root bound. If the roots are tangled around the outside of the pot and appear "squished together", follow the directions in this article to fix the situation.
https://marinmg.ucanr.edu/?story=1214
I hope this helps but it might be next spring before you really know.
http://www.al-labs-west.com/services.php?section=Soil%20Analysis
You might also want to tip the pot sideways when the soil is damp and pull out the plant to see if it is root bound. If the roots are tangled around the outside of the pot and appear "squished together", follow the directions in this article to fix the situation.
https://marinmg.ucanr.edu/?story=1214
I hope this helps but it might be next spring before you really know.
