impossible gardenias - Ask Extension
hi, i have a passion for gardenias but can never keep one alive for long. i have tried everything withing my power and sought expert advise from vario...
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impossible gardenias #389998
Asked March 24, 2017, 2:21 AM EDT
hi, i have a passion for gardenias but can never keep one alive for long. i have tried everything withing my power and sought expert advise from various sources including the n.y. botanical garden folks, but still no success.
i just bought a small gardenia plant. during the day it is near a southern window later i am using special grow lights and providing humidity. couple of buds have become brown though 2 did bloom soon after i brought it home. tomorrow i'll get a 0-10-10 morbloom to fertilizer the plan what more can i do, what am i doing wrong? thanks..
Bergen County New Jersey
Expert Response
Hello,
Gardenia can sometimes be difficult to grow as a container plant indoors. They prefer bright light, but not direct sunlight. So, perhaps the plant is getting direct sun during some part of the day and burning. It looks like you may be providing too much light from the lamps. One balanced daylight bulb should do when the days are short, but the rest of the time you may do okay with just the natural light from the window. It also may be too warm in the home, as gardenia prefers cool temperatures, about 65 to 70.
If you acquired the plant recently, I doubt it needs any additional fertilizer. Excess fertilizer can result in salts injury and may actually cause a plant to not bloom. Gardenia prefers a slightly acidic soil, so maybe add coffee grounds now and then. Even watering, but not overwatering is good, especially since you have the humidifier. Water about twice a week.
Thanks you for contacting Cooperative Extension.
Nancy
Gardenia can sometimes be difficult to grow as a container plant indoors. They prefer bright light, but not direct sunlight. So, perhaps the plant is getting direct sun during some part of the day and burning. It looks like you may be providing too much light from the lamps. One balanced daylight bulb should do when the days are short, but the rest of the time you may do okay with just the natural light from the window. It also may be too warm in the home, as gardenia prefers cool temperatures, about 65 to 70.
If you acquired the plant recently, I doubt it needs any additional fertilizer. Excess fertilizer can result in salts injury and may actually cause a plant to not bloom. Gardenia prefers a slightly acidic soil, so maybe add coffee grounds now and then. Even watering, but not overwatering is good, especially since you have the humidifier. Water about twice a week.
Thanks you for contacting Cooperative Extension.
Nancy
