How to Get Jasmine Polyanthum to Flower
Jasmine polyanthum, also known as Jasminum polyanthum, winter jasmine, pink jasmine or Chinese evergreen jasmine, is native to China but will grow almost anywhere in zones 9 and 10. It yields white star-shaped flowers that start out as pink buds--if you can get it to flower. Aside from making sure your jasmine is fertilized with sufficient phosphorous, the key to getting it to flower is exposing it to temperatures below 60 degrees F for a period of four to six weeks. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Care for your jasmine plant as usual during most of the year. It likes to be potted or planted in a sandy, well-draining soil and kept in partial to full sun, ideally four or more hours of unobstructed sun per day. Fertilize it every two to three weeks with a 15-30-15 (high phosphorous) fertilizer. Water it regularly during the summer, not quite as often during the winter.
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Start setting the plant outside in August (if it's potted) so that it's exposed to temperatures between 40 to 60 degrees F. If your area doesn't offer this temperature range at night, find a suitable substitute--for example, an unheated garage. If your jasmine is planted in the garden, you'll simply have to wait and hope for temperatures to drop low enough to encourage it to set flowers.
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Continue exposing your plant to temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees F until you notice flower buds forming. This may take between four and six weeks. Once you see the buds, move your plant inside if you like. If you must bring the plant indoors before this time period has passed because of falling temperatures, there's still a chance it may flower.
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Keep your plant in a bright, cool place throughout the winter. An unheated greenhouse or porch (if your winters aren't terribly cold) might do the job. If your winter temperatures dip below 40 degrees F, keep the plant inside to protect it from the cold; place it in a brightly-lit window in the coolest room of the house.
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Wait for the flowers to open. Jasmine polyanthum blooms sporadically, mostly during the winter and early spring, then at unpredictable intervals throughout the year. Pinch or cut your jasmine plant back after the blooms die off; this will help encourage vigorous growth and heavy yields of flowers in the future.
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