If I don't grow gardenia, I would be happy

14 years ago

Hi Everybody,

I have been posting a lot recently, not to waste you guys time, just because I am confused and disappointed. I am confronted with failures and I am puzzled. Simply put, I am not able to grow gardenias, just a couple of days bad weather (rain plus coldness) would end up with root rot. Doesn't matter how good they look when purchased from the nursery. And most frustrating thing is they don't repot well into the gritty mix from the old peat based soil. Now I have to gut up to bare root and repot. Each mistake has a price tag of 30 dollars and loads of disappoints. Reminds me when experimenting with expensive IC chips in my university, you make mistakes and chips burned. Some chips are hundreds of dollars.

The thing is that I can grow almost everything well now, including Michelia Alba, Camellia, Jasmine, Citrus and Magnolias. They even flourish to me. But what happened to Gardenia. If I don't grow gardenia, I would be a happy container gardener.

We have to make Al grow Gardenias

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Comments (7)

garyfla_gw
14 years ago
Hi
Can't give much help but can offer some sympathy. Gardenia is extensively used as a lawn plant in this area, even by me yet, have never been able to grow one in a pot!!! A neighbor has one growing with absolutely no care and the kids frequently strip the foliage but keeps right on chuggig along even flowering right on cue. Now that's frustrating!!!!
Maybe someone will enlighten us with a plan??? gary
brettay
14 years ago
Check out this thread...

Here is a link that might be useful: Suicidal gardenia thread
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meyermike_1micha
14 years ago
Yellowthumb,

I beg to differ..lol

Actually, my denias are doing MUCH better in the gritty.

If you use the mix properly, and practice good cultural needs for that plant, you should be able to even grow this plant where you are, even if you manipulate the roots!
I can assure you it is not the fact that gardenias and the gritty mix don't work. Nor the fact that you due a hard pruning of the roots...
I know a Bonsai expert out here that, well let's just say he is not to kind to his gardenia roots..His look awsome anyways..

I also did DRASTIC root work to mine before potting them in the gritty mix, AND gave them a nice period of warm weather when I transplanted.

I would probably due a research everything that has to do with denia care, if you are still determined to spend so much money on them.
If you are anything like me, you will not stop until you overcome this challange. It is a feel good thing, like growing a perfect lawn....

I currently have over 8, and all but two I over wintered indoors. My big plants in the mix were healthier and bug free all winter and still are.

You have seen my pics and I have even told you they are in the gritty mix.

Just call me, and I will help you...
What else can I say...?
Al's gritty mix has never failed me, unless I was not using it correctly, or not properly caring for the plant type....:-)

Can I ask a personal question? Do let your plants rest in shade for a couple of weeks after a transplant as such?
meyermike_1micha
14 years ago
A positive spin for you..

The tenth picture down, is a gardenia in the gritty mix for over a year..;-)

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fragrant/msg0618190628545.html?6

These are in the gritty mix too....

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fragrant/msg0609161212355.html?6
yellowthumb
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Mike for the help.

Can I call you today? What would be the best time to call you? I am at the eastern time zone. I am at the GMT-5.
meyermike_1micha
14 years ago
Sent you an e-mail..
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
14 years ago
After reading this Thread, I went out back to check on the Gardenia I re-potted into
the gritty mix. Turns out there are three open blooms now, and probably about twenty
unopened buds!

When I re-potted the Gardenia, I was ROUGH with the roots. I cut a third of
the bottom off immediately, then I tore the hard-packed peat-moss root-ball apart.
I discovered that the root-ball was very, very dry in the center, due to the horrible
bagged potting soil that had been used. After the re-potting, I kept the Gardenia
in a protected location, but many, many leaves turned yellow and fell off.

This was before I'd read about adding fertilizer to the mix, so I believe that the
yellowing leaves were mostly my fault.......granted, the root-loss must have played
a part, too ;) Either way, within two months the Gardenia was back to business.

Josh

If I don't grow gardenia, I would be happy

Comments (7)

garyfla_gw

brettay

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If I don't grow gardenia, I would be happy

Comments (7)

garyfla_gw

brettay

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