Jasmine is an evergreen plant. It grows to the height of 8- 10 feet. Jasmine flowers are white in colour and is used for various purposes viz., making garlands, bouquet, decorating hair of women, religious offering etc. There are more than 80 species of jasmine, of which only three species are used for commercial cultivation These are Jasminum sambac, J. auriculatum and J. grandiflorum. The first two species are mainly cultivated for selling as fresh flowers whereas the last one is cultivated for concrete extraction.
Jasmine is widely cultivated for its flowers, enjoyed in the garden, as house plants, and as cut flowers. Jasmine flowers are stringed together to make garlands. Jasmine oil is used for making perfumes. Its oil is also used in creams, shampoos and soaps. Its flowers are also used to flavour Jasmine tea and other herbal or black tea. Jasmine tea is said to be effective in preventing certain cancers. The Jasmine flower is used for removing intestinal worms and is also used for jaundice and venereal diseases. The flower buds are useful in treating ulcers, vesicles, boils, skin diseases and eye disorders. Drinking Jasmine tea regularly helps in curing cancer. It has antidepressant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, sedative and uterine properties.
Soil and Climatic Requirements
It grows well in moist, well drained sandy loam to clayey soil. Temperature should range from 20-22 degree centigrade. Plenty of sunshine is essential for proper growth and flowering. The ideal conditions for successful cultivation are warm summer with ample water supply and sunny days.
Land Preparation and Planting
One or two initial ploughings are required to remove the weeds present in the land. After ploughing the land, pits of about 40 x 40 x 40 cm size are dug and filled with topsoil and 15 kgs of well-rotten farmyard manure. Planting should be done during June-July to November. Layering and cutting are the main propagation methods. Better rooting of cuttings can be obtained by planting in coarse sand and also by using rooting hormones. Layers will be ready for planting within 90-120 days. it is planted 6 inches deep inside the soil. Planting distance depends on the species and also on soil and environmental conditions. Plants should be kept at least eight feet apart in order to save the later growth of the plant from jamming together.
Fertilizer Requirement
Each plant requires a fertilizer dose 10 kg of FYM, 120 g Nitrogen, 240 g Phosphorous and 240 g Sulphate of potash. This recommendation is for commercial cultivation of the crop. These fertilizers should be applied in two split doses i.e., once after annual pruning and again during June-July.
Irrigation
First irrigation should be given immediately after planting and subsequent irrigation at an interval of 7-10 days depending upon the weather conditions and soil type. Plenty of water should be given during summer but this can be reduced during winter. Adequate water supply during peak flowering season (March-October) is advised. After flowering season the water supply can be stopped. It is advisable that watering be stopped between two flushes until new flower buds appear. Restart irrigation once pruning is over.
Inter Cultural Operations
Weeds should be removed present inside the soil before planting. Weeding and strengthening of irrigation channels and bunds are the intercultural operations followed for jasmine cultivation. The first weeding should be done 25 days after planting and subsequent done once in 2-3 months.
Pruning and Training
It requires frequent pruning for its fast growth. Tips of the plants should be pinched to stimulate lateral growth and frequent pruning should be done to restrain growth. Younger plants should be tied with the stems to give a fairly heavy support. If the vine is to be grown as a ground-cover then upward twining stems needs trimming. Pruning is essential for promoting flowering. It is done at a height of 45 cm from ground level during mid December-January. Training is basically done to give the desired shape to the plant whereas; pruning is done to get the desired crop. Normally, irrigation is withheld prior to pruning and plants are pruned by removing all past season shoots including dead and diseased branches. It is advisable to prune the plants during the last week of November to get increased yield and quality flowers.
Insect Pests
Bud and shoot borers, blossom midge and red spider mite are the major pests of jasmine. They can be controlled by spraying suitable insecticides.
Diseases
Major diseases attacking the Jasmine crop are root rot, leaf blight, fusarium wilt and rust. Leaf blight can be controlled by spraying 0.2 per cent mancozeb or 0.1 per cent benomyl. For controlling fusarium wilt the soil has to be drenched with 1 per cent bordeaux mixture.
Picking
Fully developed, unopened flower buds should be picked in early morning. The delicate Jasmine flower opens only at night and is plucked in the morning when the tiny petals are tightly closed. They are then stored in a cool place until night.
Replanting
