Q. My next door neighbor cut down large pine trees that
shaded my wall of star jasmine 2 days ago. Is there even any point in trying to
rig a shade cloth to get through the rest of the summer in hopes that they can
“harden off” and transition to full sun through the winter and spring
next year or should I basically pronounce them dead and start the grieving
process now?
 |
| Star jasmine on a wall |
A. Star jasmine can handle full sun if it’s planted in
good soil. But you are right, it will probably go through some shock to have it exposed to the hot sun at this time of year. I am guessing you will have
some scorching of the leaves and some dieback. But I think it will rebound. You
may have to cut the damaged parts back, fertilize it in October and let it
regrow in the spring.
good soil. But you are right, it will probably go through some shock to have it exposed to the hot sun at this time of year. I am guessing you will have
some scorching of the leaves and some dieback. But I think it will rebound. You
may have to cut the damaged parts back, fertilize it in October and let it
regrow in the spring.
 |
| Star jasmine failing and yellowing because it’s growing in poor desert soil with the surface covered in rock mulch |
At this
point, I would wait and see what happens. Plant health has a lot to do with how
plants handle hot weather. Plants that are not as healthy will have more
difficulty during hot weather than plants which are in good health. In a
contrast to this, plants that are not as healthy can grow in protected
environments and still look good.
point, I would wait and see what happens. Plant health has a lot to do with how
plants handle hot weather. Plants that are not as healthy will have more
difficulty during hot weather than plants which are in good health. In a
contrast to this, plants that are not as healthy can grow in protected
environments and still look good.
I would encourage you to buy some decent compost and spread about
an inch layer at the base of these plants and water it in. The best compost for
this is at Viragrow in North Las Vegas. You can buy it by the bag for I think
about $2.50 a cubic foot.
an inch layer at the base of these plants and water it in. The best compost for
this is at Viragrow in North Las Vegas. You can buy it by the bag for I think
about $2.50 a cubic foot.
Soil
improvement will go a long way in improving plant health and their ability to
withstand adverse conditions. Because of the high light intensity and warmer
temperatures, they might begin to use more water in this location.
improvement will go a long way in improving plant health and their ability to
withstand adverse conditions. Because of the high light intensity and warmer
temperatures, they might begin to use more water in this location.
I don’t
necessarily think you need to apply water daily in this spot but you may have
to increase the volume of water 20 or so percent and maybe add an extra day of
watering each week now. Try adding this water with a hose first but avoid daily watering If
you can. Watering daily might create some problems for these plants if the soil
doesn’t drain very well.
necessarily think you need to apply water daily in this spot but you may have
to increase the volume of water 20 or so percent and maybe add an extra day of
watering each week now. Try adding this water with a hose first but avoid daily watering If
you can. Watering daily might create some problems for these plants if the soil
doesn’t drain very well.
If there
is no surface mulch under these plants then I would put some there. Wood mulch
is better than rock mulch for soil improvement. Use a 2 to 4 inch layer. You
can get it free from the University Orchard in North Las Vegas which is 100
yards east of the corner of horse drive and North Decatur and Aliante Any
Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday morning.
is no surface mulch under these plants then I would put some there. Wood mulch
is better than rock mulch for soil improvement. Use a 2 to 4 inch layer. You
can get it free from the University Orchard in North Las Vegas which is 100
yards east of the corner of horse drive and North Decatur and Aliante Any
Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday morning.