Gardenias are known to be a bit of a challenge for gardeners. Frankly, the plant is picky and often needs more attention than other flowering shrubs. It prefers fairly acidic soil (a pH of 5.0 to 6.0), likes a tropical climate (but suffers in too much direct sun), and doesn't transplant well.
To cultivate gardenia as a house plant is not easy. This species can be difficult to grow because it originated in warm humid tropical areas. It demands high humidity and bright ( not direct ) light to thrive.
Among the most common diseases of gardenia are root rot, powdery mildew, stem canker and bud drop. Treating gardenia problems like these is a task most gardeners can handle.
Gardenias usually perform best in full sun but may appreciate shade during the hottest part of the day in the warmest parts of their hardiness range. They seem to grow best in humid areas and don't tolerate drought or arid conditions well.
Feeding and mulching Gardenias are fed during the growing season from spring to autumn with a complete fertiliser such as Seasol plus Nutrients Roses & Flowers. Water it in well after application. Plants also benefit from liquid feed such as PowerFeed PRO SERIES for Roses & Flowers during the growing season.
The thinking behind this practice is that the yellow leaves are a sign of magnesium deficiency. Adding Epsom salts, or magnesium sulfate, is supposed to replenish the missing magnesium, perking up the gardenia in the process. Some gardeners recommend a one-off dosing, others a feed at regular intervals.
Gardenias use a lot of nutrients to produce so many glorious blossoms. Feed your shrubs by applying an acidic, slow-release fertilizer such as an azalea or camellia fertilizer. For the organic gardener, blood meal, fish emulsion or bone meal work well.
Young gardenia leaves turning yellow is likely from low iron. All can be fixed by giving your gardenia a dose of an acidic nitrogen fertilizer containing micronutrients. Once your gardenia leaves are green again, use the fertilizer twice a month from early spring to late summer.
Outside, gardenia is best grown in a pot so it can be moved under cover in winter to protect from frosts or winds. In areas with favourable conditions year-round, plant gardenia in a raised bed or in the ground.
Are Coffee Grounds Good for Gardenias? Don't worry about adding more coffee grounds to your gardenia soil; these flowers absolutely love coffee. In addition to being an excellent source of nitrogen, the acid in coffee lowers the pH of the surrounding soil, stimulating the roots of acid-loving plants such as gardenias.
Gardenias love a well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil in a sunny or partly shaded position. Although gardenias can tolerate dry conditions, you should be watering them weekly, and even more in extreme heat. Just be careful not to overwater them as this can cause other problems.
Although most mature gardenias remain about 4 to 6 feet tall, older specimens can easily reach past 10 feet. To create this large shrub, gardenias live up to 50 years old with proper care.
Home remedies for acidifying the soil for gardenias include: Diluted vinegar: Add one cup of vinegar to one gallon of water, and water the plant with this mix about once a month.
Gardenias prefer a rich, moist soil that is slightly acidic. The soil must also be free draining as they will not tolerate waterlogging. If your soil is of poor quality then work in some compost and cow manure before planting. Apply gypsum to improve drainage in clay soils.
Gardenias are known to be a bit of a challenge for gardeners. Frankly, the plant is picky and often needs more attention than other flowering shrubs. It prefers fairly acidic soil (a pH of 5.0 to 6.0), likes a tropical climate (but suffers in too much direct sun), and doesn't transplant well.
Gardenias are considered shallow-rooted shrubs. This means their roots spread out and remain close to the surface, rather than grow deep down into the earth. A good comparison is to think of it in terms of a maple tree rather than an oak tree.
Gardenias perform best when they receive intense morning light and shade from the hot afternoon sun. Sun exposure is necessary for proper flower bud development – with too little sun plants will produce leggy growth and few flowers. On the other hand, too much sun can cause blooms to fade quickly.
Gardenias do well in large containers and require very little care. Good drainage is most important as well as filtered or full sun. They like to be fed regularly with plant food or fertilizer designed for acid loving plants.
Though vinegar can be fatal to many common plants, others, like rhododendrons, hydrangeas and gardenias, thrive on acidity which makes a bit of vinegar the best pick-me-up. Combine one cup of plain white vinegar with a gallon of water and use the next time you water these plants to see some amazing results.
It affects a range of plants including gardenias, rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, roses and citrus. The solution is to get some Epsom salts. Take half a litre of water, and put in half a teaspoon of Epsom salts, then shake and stir. Either water it on plants or you can foliar spray it.
Because gardenias need all three essential macro-nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and also a good dose of micro-nutrients such as iron and manganese, you should feed them with an organic fertiliser such as Dynamic Lifter. Do this every two to three months from spring through to autumn.
Osmocote is one of the most popular and well-respected fertilizer brands and when it comes to gardenia fertilizers you can't go wrong with this plant food. What you'll love about this product is that it is easy for beginner gardenia gardeners. All you need to do is apply it once every 6 months.
To acidify soil around the shallow roots of the plant, organic gardener Howard Garrett advises mixing one tablespoon of vinegar per gallon of water every time you irrigate the plant. While watering gardenias with a vinegar solution can lower the soil's pH level, the effects are short-lived.