Chirimen kazura – dwarf star jasmine
How to create bonsai from cuttings, grafting and other methods using interesting and unusual species. With the help of illustrations we will see how to take a piece of material through to its completion. This time we are working with dwarf star jasmine, Trachelospermum asiaticum.
Leaf shape
How to make a cutting
How to insert.
Insert diagonally around.
Insert straight in the centre.
Put in ¾ of a particularly large
coarse soil.
The dwarf star jasmine
An evergreen vine shrub of the family Oleaceae. It is a small mutation of the Teika kazura, but it is very popular in the bonsai world because of its robustness, it tolerates cutting and fertilisation well and, in time, is easy to grow a thick trunk. Although not as spectacular as the fruiting and flowering species, it retains the beauty of its glossy green leaves, even in winter and its autumn foliage is also spectacular.
As a vine species, running new shoots to thicken the base of branches and trunk is not effective, as the vine-like branches just slough off. The trick to gaining weight is to increase the number of twigs by repeated cutting. If there are no problems with vigour, strong pruning in summer to remove all the branches and leaves will result in a good second bud.
How to plant
A support.
Securely fastened with a cord.
Plant the root.
Use a deep pot. Cut off small roots along the surface of the trunk.
Growth
Extend the branches and leaves for about two years to enrich the branches.
Let the branches and leaves grow.
Roots will quickly grow through drainage hole.
Transplanting
2 years later.
Cut.
A crooked root can form.
Pruning and wiring
June-July.
Dotted lines indicate trimmed branches.
Pruning (top)
June-July.
Clip the tips of the growing branches into an arc shape.
Cut long vines from the base.
Cutting leaves
June-July.
Cut off large leaves.
Leave small leaves.
After leaf cutting
Just cutting large leaves will improve internal ventilation.
Pruning buds
May.
Cut with scissors, leaving one section.
Repotting
April.
Cut off long roots.
Leave small roots.
Appreciation of autumn leaves
October-November.
25 cm to cascading branches.
About 8 years from cuttings.
Showing beautiful autumn leaves.
A cascade pot that looks good with autumn leaves.
Place on high table so as to create space under cascading branches.
HUSBANDRY
Propagate: Cuttings or air layering
Placement: A rapid grower that favours full sunlight. Shade during hot summer days. Can withstand light frosts, but protect against freezing and cold winds.
Pruning: Let growth extend before pruning. It buds very easily from old wood. Responds very well to defoliation. Remove congested areas and thick branches in the top. The clip and grow method is very effective here.
Repotting: A well-draining deciduous soil mix is used. If planted in a small pot repotting every year is best, otherwise every two years.
Watering: In winter keep moist. In summer it should not dry out.
Wiring: Limit wire to the main branches as a corrective method.
