Cestrum - Jessamine

(Ces'trum)

DESCRIPTION: This is a large group of tender, evergreen and deciduous shrubs and small trees native to Central and South America and the West Indies. C. elegans is a small to medium-sized, evergreen shrub with large clusters of tube-shaped, brilliant red flowers that bloom over a long period during the summer and fall. This plant usually needs some support. C. parqui (Willow-leaved Jessamine) is a small to medium-sized shrub that produces an abundance of yellowish-green flowers from early to mid-summer. The flowers are fragrant at night.

POTTING: Cestrums need a minimum winter temperature of 50 degrees. They should be planted in a well-drained bed of loamy soil that has had sand and leaf mold mixed in. They can also be planted in large pots or tubs filled with the same soil. During the summer, when this plant is growing actively, the soil must be kept moist, but make sure not to over water or the soil will rot; the reason why excellent drainage is a must. As the shoots grow longer, they need to be trained to the pillar or some other support. If they are grown in pots or tubs, the shoots can be trained around a wire support or wood. As soon as the flowers have faded, in July or August, the side shoots should be cut to within three or four buds of the base.

PROPAGATION: Cuttings can be taken in August and inserted in a propagating case in the greenhouse. They'll form roots in a few weeks. When they are well rooted, they should be repotted individually into 3-inch pots filled with two-thirds loam, one-third leaf mold and a bit of sand.

VARIETIES: C. diurnum (Day Jessamine); C. nocturnum (Night Jessamine); C. aurantiacum; C. elegans; C. fasciculatum; C. Newellii C. Parqui (the Willow-leaved Jessamine). The latter is reported to be the most cold resistant.

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