The jasmine-flowered nightshade (bot. Solanum jasminoides) is also called summer jasmine. This is due to the striking similarity of its flowers to those of the real or common jasmine (bot. Jasminum officinale). It needs optimal conditions for lush flowering.
Why isn't my Solanum jasminoides blooming?
If your Solanum jasminoides is not blooming, it may be due to too little sun, too cool a temperature, or a lack of nutrients and water. To promote lush flowering, you should optimize the location, water and fertilize adequately and protect the plant from frost.
Why isn't my Solanum jasminoides blooming?
Although Solanum jasminoides is not necessarily difficult to care for, it cannot be described as undemanding either. It has a relatively high need for water, heat, light and nutrients. If the potato bush, as the summer jasmine is also often called, lacks sun, warmth, water or fertilizer, then it will not bloom or at least not bloom very profusely.
Reasons for failure to bloom:
- too little sun
- too cold
- Nutrient and/or water deficiency
What can I do to ensure lush blooms?
In order for the Solanum jasmionoides to show its beautiful white flowers in large quantities, it first needs the right location. This should be warm and bright. Direct sun is not absolutely necessary, partial shade or light shade is sufficient. What is more important is that the chosen place is well protected from rain and wind.
As a non-hardy plant, you should move your potato bush to a frost-free winter quarters in good time in the fall. After overwintering, slowly get the shrub used to the outside world again.
Before the Ice Saints, the potato bush does not belong in the garden overnight, but it is welcome to spend warm and dry days outside. Between March and September you should fertilize it every 14 days; it needs water every day in the warmer months. However, you should avoid waterlogging.
When does the potato bush actually bloom?
The flowering period of summer jasmine lasts from April to October, but depends on the location conditions and overwintering. If it starts sprouting late after a cool winter, then flowering will be delayed somewhat. It is therefore advisable to place the plant a little warmer from February onwards, so it will sprout a little earlier.
Tip
Although the flowers are very decorative, they are poisonous, like all other parts of the summer jasmine plant.
