Tabernaemontana DIVARICATA

Tabernaemontana DIVARICATA - Pinwheel Flower, Crape Jasmine, Tabernaemontana divaricata, Ervatamia.

Tabernaemontana is a genus of evergreen, well-branched shrubby or arborescent plants in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), native to Central and South America. Today, representatives are found throughout the world in countries with warm humid climates as ornamental outdoor flowering shrubs or in indoor culture.

The plant is a densely branching small tree or shrub of modest proportions with woody shoots and trunk. Large leaves, 10-17 cm (3.9-6.7 in) in length, are glossy, firm in texture, dark green, oblong in shape, oppositely arranged, and pointed at the apex. On the reverse side of the leaf, transverse veins protrude clearly. Branches on the bush are arranged almost horizontally.

The flowers are white, with a five-petaled corolla; flower petals are slightly curved in a spiral, single or double, reaching 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter. The flower shape is campanulate, and petals have a frilled margin. A single inflorescence can contain from 3 to 18 flowers. The flower fragrance is very persistent, reminiscent of jasmine scent, intensifying especially at night. Milky latex is exuded upon breaking a leaf or stem.

Tabernaemontana divaricata is the most popular species cultivated under indoor conditions. It is an evergreen, densely branched shrub with fairly large glossy leaves of deep green color and snow-white flowers. Flowers are five-petaled, with wavy-edged petals. Up to twenty buds can be situated on a single inflorescence. Fruits are oblong, dark green, with orange pulp.

It is easily propagated by cuttings and seeds. Seeds are pre-soaked in a warm moist environment for 4-6 hours, then sown into loose substrate to a depth of 0.5-1 cm (0.2-0.4 in), moistened with a spray mister, covered with film, and germinated in the light, but not in full sun, at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings.

Under favorable conditions, the first seedlings can be expected in 3 weeks. On average, seeds germinate in 3 weeks to 2 months.

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Tabernaemontana is heat-loving; in summer, normal room temperature is preferred, while in winter it should not fall below 15 °C (59 °F), optimally 18-20 °C (64-68 °F). In summer, the plant can be taken out to an open balcony or garden once the threat of night cold spells has passed. It requires a draft-protected, very bright location with diffuse sunlight or some direct sun in the morning or late afternoon.

During the autumn-winter period in a warm room, one can arrange supplemental artificial lighting and continue standard care. In that case, the plant will not cease blooming even in winter. This is especially valuable because most houseplants are dormant at this time.

The plant is sensitive to overwatering; watering is moderate in summer and more restricted in winter - upper soil layers should dry out well. It requires fairly high air humidity and responds well to misting. There is a helpful rule of thumb: it is better to mist one extra time than to overwater!

Under indoor conditions, a mix of 1 part peat, 1 part leaf mold soil, 1 part humus, 1 part sand, and 1 part perlite or vermiculite is used for growing. Drainage is mandatory. It is possible to use commercial peat-based potting soil with a near-neutral or slightly acidic pH reaction, obligatorily diluting it with vermiculite and sand; fine expanded clay can also be used. From March to August, feeding with fertilizer for flowering houseplants is conducted every two weeks.

Repotting is carried out annually in spring. Soil should be loose and drain water well. Tabernaemontana is quite tolerant of soil pH; in nature it grows on slightly alkaline as well as slightly acidic soils, on loam and sand.