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Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) looks dead

mandyroberts99mandyroberts99 Posts: 235
in Problem solving
I was given this in December 2021 and kept it in my greenhouse (maintained at temp over 2c so just frost free) until about March when I hardened it off before planting around early April. It looks very dead. Do I leave it, cut it back to see if there is live wood? Any other suggestions?
I followend MD's advice to the letter!

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It doesn't look too good tbh.
    Try the fingernail test
    Starting toward the top of the plant just scrape  a little of the main stem with your fingernail. If you can see some green just under the surface it's still alive.
    If there's no green, try a bit farther down and keep going toward the base of the plant.
    If there's still no green, then I'm afraid it's gonner.
    If you do see some green, then it is still alive.
    It should be hardy where you are, so not sure why it may have died.
    A lack of water can be the cause

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I agree with @Pete.8 It also looks to be in an open site and we have had some cold winds too. If no luck with the above dig it up as a last resort and check the roots any white means it has a chance, all brown and it has gone. If there are signs of life I would pot it don't feed it continue to look after it and cross your fingers. Perhaps a more sheltered site, years ago we couldn't grow this climber in the UK just too cold.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It looks like a very immature plant, and it may have been a bridge too far trying to harden it off at that time of year after being cossetted for a few months.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • mandyroberts99mandyroberts99 Posts: 235
    Thanks all. I try the finger nail test. If it is alive do I just leave it or cut it back to where its alive? It was definitely not a lack of water, I wondered if I had over watered it?
  • mandyroberts99mandyroberts99 Posts: 235
    edited June 2022
    Right - about 6" from the bottom is very green just under the surface, near the top I can't find any green, the middle is not as dry and dead as the bottom but I can't actually find green. Do I cut off the very dead bit? Put it in a pot in a very sheltered position for now? The spot its in is south facing and gets some shelter from the north by the bank behind it. My salvia survived the winter in that bed
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited June 2022
    Yes, you may as well cut it off.
    It's summer now so sheltering it should not be needed.
    They are thirsty plants (when growing actively) so teep it well watered and don't feed it until it starts to recover - hopefully
    Fingers X'ed
    Salvias are a lot hardier than SJ

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • mandyroberts99mandyroberts99 Posts: 235
    Pete.8 said:
    Yes, you may as well cut it off.
    It's summer now so sheltering it should not be needed.
    They are thirsty plants (when growing actively) so teep it well watered and don't feed it until it starts to recover - hopefully
    Fingers X'ed
    Salvias are a lot hardier than SJ
    Thanks
  • mandyroberts99mandyroberts99 Posts: 235
    @Pete.8 - do I cut it down to live wood? Or leave a bit of dead above the live?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Just cut the dead bit off for now.
    Hopefully it'll spring into life then you'll be able to see exactly what's dead and what's alive and trim it up accordingly.
    Once it starts growing a feed every 2-3 of weeks would help until around August.
    You may not get flowers this year though as it's had a tough time
    Hope it survives 

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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