FLOWERS... The best feature of this tree is the abundance of fragrant white flowers. The flowers are pendulous and come on new wood. With proper pruning you can have flowers almost all summer. To force bloom, about three months prior to desired bloom, apply a super bloom fertilizer every two weeks for two months. Then stop fertilization and completely defoliate, being sure to leave the petiole and place tree in full sun. If the leaves start to come out too quick, before the flower buds, move it into some shade, then as the flower buds appear, place back in full sun.
PRUNING... The tree is a fast grower, therefore in its early stages of developing ramification constant pruning back is required. As the tree becomes more ramified and the leaf size reduced you can work on producing more flowers. Remember it blooms on new growth so it is important to trim back after a bloom. Can take heavy top and root pruning.
TRAINING... Wire can be used, being a quick grower keep watch for scarring. The young branches bend very easy while the older branches are fairly flexible. Responds well to clip and grow when developing branch structure. Buds back well on old wood.
WATERING... Likes a lot of water through the summer, but does require a well draining soil, it doesn’t like wet feet. Growth slows dramatically here in the winter, so water sparingly.
LIGHT... The tree will grow well in lower light, but for smaller leaves and an abundance of flowers full sun is best.
FERTILIZE... Likes to eat so feed it good. I use a slow release fertilizer with twice monthly supplements of water soluble 20-20-20 through the summer. When not force blooming an occasional feeding of phosphate and a little Ironite from time to time. If you are experiencing yellow leaves it is probably from lack of food.
REPOT... Minimum night temperatures of mid to high fifties. You can repot all summer. Being a quick grower may need repotted every year, especially in it’s early stages of development.
SEASONAL... Protect below 40 degrees.
There are two varieties used mainly for bonsai, Wrightia coccinea and more commonly used, Wrightia religiosa.
Wrightia religiosa
Philippine Jasmine