Gardenia Care- New To This

18 years ago

I need some help and advice on growing gardenias indoors.

I've been quite terrible in the past with plants, but got this as a gift from a friend. In fact, the gift is to a 'plant of the month' so I guess I'll be getting quite a lot of them in time to come and to be honest, I think I'm beginning to enjoy this.

I've had the gardenia for exactly a week now and have been frantically doing up readings on it and yes yes, I know how hard it is to grow it indoors. But there's no point in everyone telling me that because there's nothing I can do now but try my best to take care of it.

Been trying to find a perfect spot for it. I have two, enormously high (at least 10 ft I think) south facing windows. It's much too bright for the other two plants I have (some sort of a vine and a jerusalem cherry). I haven't yet kept my gardenia by that window all day, scared of what the scorching afternoon sun could do. I get direct sunshine into those windows from about 11.30am-4pm. And in the past, if I've kept my other plants there all day, I come home from work to find them very burnt. I have found that keeping them there till about noon is best. AFter that it gets too hot.

My other window, in the bedroom is however potentially perfect- it is a south-east facing window. It gets absolutely great direct sunlight from about 8.30/9am-noon or so. The temp. in this room is also quite perfect year round. Cool in the summers and warm and cosy in the winters. In the winters, I leave the window open in the bedroom year round, even if it's snowing- and with no heater on either- that's how naturally warm it stays up there.

Does anyone have some advice?

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Comments (35)

birdsnblooms
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nota, actually, gardenia's do best with cool temps in winter. Cool/cold temps are what promote flowering.
I've 3 types of Gardenia's, one 8-9 yrs old. In winter, it's set in a south window, but because of the neighboring house, it doesn't get direct sun, or very little. The room is unheated and can drop 40-50 degrees on the coldest days of winter..Also, too hot a room invites pests. Gardenia's should be misted, and hosed during winter months when heat is on.
Feed w/an Azalia fertilizer, or one for acidic loving plant, preferably high in nitrogen. Time release is fine. Stop feeding when plant goes dormant. I usually feed May-Oct.
Water well, but don't let pot sit in water..You can make a pebble trey for humidity (gardenia's love humidity) and set pot atop pebbles w/1-2" of water.
When it's time to repot, use a well-draining soil, w/added peat. It's best repotting in spring..How big is your plant? What size pot?
BTW, are you new to gardenia's or plants in general? Gardenia is not an easy plant to grow, but it certainly can be done w/a little effort..don't give up. Toni
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notanatural
Original Author
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm new to plants in general- and my first plant HAD to turn out to be a gardenia- great! I didn't get to choose though, it was a gift. But I'm about to get a shipment of other plants soon- so I'll be using this forum very often from now on.
From having one miserable dying vine, I will soon have about 10 plants in the house- yippee.

The gardenia is in a 4.5" high pot- I guess I'd call it small/ medium.

I did buy pebbles because I read about that, but haven't used it yet. I think I had been over watering it the first few days I had it, so now I'm letting it take a breather. It's still kinda warm here, in NY, so I thought I'd wait till it got cooler and dryer to do that.

I have to admit, the first 4 or 5 days, it was sitting in water. I hate those silly decorative pots they give you with the plant- I couldn't tell I was over watering it. But, luckily I discovered it soon enough, and now I've just set it on a dish, so it can drain out freely. Frankly, I'm not even sure how much I should be watering it. I felt beneath the mulch last night, (see, a week ago, I didn't even know what 'mulch' meant- I'm learning fast) and the soil is still moist. Whereas the top layer of mulch is very dry and brittle right now. Should I let it all dry out?

Is Miracle Gro for acid loving plants okay to feed them?

Last night, the last of its buds dropped. I'm so miserable. It dropped all its other buds when I took it out of the packaging- the day it arrived. i attributed that to the shipping trauma. But there was one lonely bud left, and I was happy enough. Now, there's none! Will it bud more this season or is that it till the winter is over?

Thanks for helping!
As you can tell I'm really really new to gardening and plants on a whole. But I love whatever I'm learning, and I'm sure I'll kill a few plants before I learn well, but I'm enjoying this process!
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Cena
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Well, you already know its a tough plant! Good.

I am trying AGAIN, and I have so far, kept from killing it outright. It was a narrow miss, as it was getting too much sun, even from 7am to about 12pm. I moved it under my tree, trimmed off all the mummified branches, and it is sprouting new, beautiful leaves like crazy. I mist mine EVERY day, and other folks here could tell you just how unusual that is for me, but, trust me. I DON'T mist. Well, until now.

I doubt that your gardenia will bloom since it is close to the time they go dormant. (Toni can tell you more about that, cause I don't know yet...) but see, that is a good thing. Flowering takes a lot out of a plant, and some plants will actually 'flower themselves to death'. In an ill or failing plant, there is a lunge to produce the next generation, often resulting in the sure loss of the parent, and no real guarantee of replacements. It really is better to learn to meet the plants needs now, going into winter, than to have to learn and keep it happy while its doing other things too! And really, keeping buds on a plant can be tricky. Another thing Toni will have to teach US, as I haven't been too successful so far.

Thanks for the info, Toni. I didn't realize these like cool temps that much. I would have been tempted to move it inside, thus causing even MORE problems.

On another note, my Moro blood orange is blooming. Thats good, right? It is about a 3 1/2 foot tree. I repotted it into a fast draining mix, and it lost a LOT of leaves. I was starting to get worried, but not enough to brave CF and actually ask. So, I'm thinking with buds and open flowers on multiple branches, its bouncing back from replant, right?

Nota, you have just experienced your first thread hijack, I will now return you to your regular programing... I just borrowed this for a minute, because I KNOW Toni will come back and read this tonight, or tomorrow as she always tries to help people. She is an awesome grower, and has so many things most people would tell you Can Not be grown inside AND she does it in Zone 5!!!

I also wanted to welcome you to the HousePlants Forum. We love what we grow, and you will find a wide range of experience here!
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birdsnblooms
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Cena, lol, you had me LMAO..You will not return to regular programming..Girl, you are funny.

Congrats on your Moro Orange..Yes, it's good..Let's hope after flowers fade little fruit develop. It probably went into a bit of shock from transplanting, but since it's flowering that's great sign..I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Nota, in case you're wondering, a Moro blood orange is a Citrus..

The first thing I'd do is remove the mulch..They normally add mulch for shipping purposes..so soil won't dry out.
Leaving it on can cause problems including bugs called Fungus Gnats..Little black bugs that love loitering in wet soil..They'll even fly around the house.
I'm sure buds dropped because your gardenia was packaged and shipped in a hot box.
If you've ever been in a nursery, or even a grocery store where they keep special flowering plants in a cool area, you'll note gardenias are placed in these rooms..Cool temps promote flowering and prolongs flower time.

The thing to remember is Gardenia's detest hot, stuffy, dry rooms. When outdoors, heat isn't a problem, though if you've ever known anyone who grows gardenias, during hot summer months, gardenias do not produce flowers. Or if so, it's a rarity and flowers are smaller than normal.
Another thing..cooler temps prevents plant from getting bugs, especially Spider Mites.

Gardenia soil shouldn't be kept constantly wet, but you've figured this out. You're learning fast...

Miracid should work fine. But don't overdo it. Use less than they recommend, especially in winter, if you're going to feed..Once a month from Mar-Sept/Oct is fine.

This isn't mandatory, but once the heat is on, take Gardenia to sink and hose off leaves..Since it's small, it shouldn't be a problem..You want to aim for the leaves.

What type of club did you join? Is it one that sends a plant out each month?

Does anyone remember Shell Gas Station? My dh had a cc from them, and they somehow hooked up w/a nursery that sent out plants to Shell customers..Anyone remember this? Anyway, we joined..lol..Plants were surpringly large..They'd send common plants like dracaenas, ficus, etc. Does anyone remember this club?

Anyway, good luck w/your gardenia. Did they send any literature with your plant? Like the type of gardenia..?

One more thing..Since you're just starting out, perhaps finding a plant book like Hyponex or The Plant Expert will help..Of course, ppl here on GW are very knowlegable and will answer your questions in a jiffy.
Ebay sells used books, but the prices can't be beat. The same applies to Amazon.com Toni
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notanatural
Original Author
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks so much Toni and Cena. That was really helpful. Remove the mulch? Really? I'm so glad you said that because everywhere I've been reading they say mulching helps to keep the humidity in the plant, but I hate that stuff and it dries up and scatters all around the floor and it's really annoying.

It won't need any in the prime winter though?

I've been given a gift subscription to a 'plant of the month' club from jackson and perkins by a friend- it was a wedding present actually and I think it's probably one of the coolest presents I've gotten so far! Beats the countless vases and silver frames any day! No, they didn't give much info about the plant- just some basic care tips.

The next plant, due in Oct, is Asiatic Lilies. I know roses are somewhere there too- Yikes! I don't even like roses but how does one grow those indoors? Will it grow indoors?

Don't worry about hijacking the topic Cena- I'm here to learn about gardening and plants in general- my current woe may be a gardenia, but I'm sure it won't be limited to that.

I just bought some plants online at springhillnursery but waiting for it to get to me (taking ages). I regret it though because after reading some posts here, I went to Logees and was sooo tempted to get some plants from there. But I think I'd be going overboard if I bought 7 plants at one time LOL. I should wait a bit and see how this green thumb comes along.

ok, today, the mulch comes off and the pebbles go under.

I was misting it every other day- but when the leaves had started turning yellow, I stopped. It's only the bottoms leaves and last 2 days, at least there hasn't been any new leaves that are getting sick- just the sickly ones getting more sickly.

I've noticed though, there are some tiny, neat round holes on the bottom leaves -like they've been eaten by moths. What could that be? I don't notice any bugs on them. This isn't a new development- came like that.

As for the sun, I'm really confused. I have no clue how much sun this plant likes or dislikes. I've read so many conflicting theories and now Cena, you tell me that the morning sun was too much for yours. I really don't want to find out the hard way, so I'm in half a mind to move it away from the window now. It's been sitting there for about 3 days now and to be honest, other than those lower leaves turning yellow, I don't notice much activity on the plant at all.

I think that's what I find the most frustrating. My vine, meanwhile, the poor 2 year old vine we've had that was half dead, is absolutely thriving and sprouting like crazy. It's so gratifying to look at it every morning and every night. I can tell when it's getting too much sun, too little water. I can read it well. And seeing so much activity lets me know what I'm doing right or wrong. But the gardenia- damned gardenia, it's just there! Not really doing much but stressing me out.

Also have a jerusalem cherry plant- which I'm giving away today to a friend (will be her 17th plant in the house apparantly). I just found out it's highly toxic and I have a dog and a cat, and that will just lead to more stress when the fruits start falling off.

Oh, I also wanted some tips on the vine- but maybe I'll leave that for a nother time. This is getting way too long.
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Cena
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Um, well, I'm almost embarrassed to tell you I have at least 250 plants in containers. I am blessed with a climate that allows me to grow houseplants out doors...

And, I'll hold your hat, while Toni tells you How Many Plants IN THE HOUSE she has! She is good about ignoring plant providers, catalogs, stores, but, she gets called by the sirens of On Line Plant Availability!

Really, don't move your Gardenia, it is just settling. It really WILL tell you what and when. You have alread started reading your vine. And truely, this talent is an art, more than a skill. And trust me, even Plant People mess up and kill off plants, regularly, as a matter of fact. I quit keeping count this year. I did kill the left-here gardenia that I somehow got to bloom. I never paid much attention to them, then this ugly, scrawny plant bloomed, I sniffed, became intoxicated, and then Tenderly Loved it to death.

There is an old GW thread, not sure if I saved it or not, called the Suicidal Gardenia. Recounting hundreds of peoples efforts, theories, firm beliefs, and experiences.

I will tell you, I don't think your misting caused the yellow leaves. More likely, trapped in a lightless, waterless, airless box caused that. Mist is Important! I truely think that is what has kept my plant alive.

Don't move it. Plants take time to get used to things. They can't pick up and move, just because that Other Tree is stealing all the light. They adapt. Sometimes its an ugly process, dropping all leaves, growing new ones suited to a CURRENT light level. Always remember, in 'the wild' plants are eaten, damaged, stomped/trampled/run over all the time. They are still here. Orchids won't survive this. Questionable that gardenias might, but you are Paying Attention to what your plant is telling you. You are doing Well, for a beginner plant enthusiast.

Trust me, in my last incarnation, I was a Garden Shop Girl, and got questions like "Will this live on my refrigerator?"
"Do you have a window near your refrigerator?"
"No."
"Do you leave your kitchen flourescents on for hours during the day?"
"WHAT? No!"
"How often do you water?"
"Water??? On my refrigerator????"

So, you are a head of the game, way, way far, ahead!!!
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notanatural
Original Author
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
thanks cena! I feel slightly better- but I'm just one of those obsessive people that always needs to get something right- if I'm gonna do it at all. So yeah, I'm probably just obsessing right now and I should just quit!

Got a new plant today from a friend- she gave me a cutting of her's. It's a vine or a climbing plant of some sort I think- I don't know what it's called but I see it around often. The leaves are green on the upper side, with silver streaks and it's purple on the underneath. I'll put a picture up if I can, soon.

She also gave me some tulip bulbs. I did a little bit of reading up on it in the last hour that I've been home and I think I'll be ready to plant it tomorrow morning.

And I'm going to scream in frustration if my plants that I bought online don't show up soon.

By the way, I love misting plants- or, even when I used to just keep cut flowers around the house every day, I'd always mist them every day and wash them out every other day. I discovered that this made them stay fresh longer, because buying fresh cut flowers so often was getting to be very expensive lol. So it would be my natural instinct to mist all plants but I'm always apprehensive about which plant likes what.

Oh, so the mulch has come off. There was about 3 inches of it! I had to add some more potting soil because the mulch took up about half of the pot. Was that an okay move? It was just ordinary potting soil from the stores.
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birdsnblooms
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nota, well, at last count I had over 400 plants..and I can't even say the number I've added this summer..btw, this isn't counting, seeds/cuttings..LOL.

Now that you mentioned half a container of soil after moving mulch leaves me to believe even moreso than I did, they used it for shipping purposes. Mulch is might lighter than soil, so shipping prices are cheaper.
Adding potting soil was the right thing to do.

Your next plant will be a rose??? My goodness..Gardenia's are difficult enough..LOL..is it a mini rose?
I'm sure there are ppl here who can grow them, but I don't even bother anymore..I've killed enough, mostly when they got plant bugs. I'm hoping someone who grows roses indoors can help..The thing is they're so pretty..

Are you going to try forcing the tulips indoors or plant them outside?

I've never misted cut or flowers on plants..I'd think the opposite would happen..as far as prolonging. But, if it's worked for you then continue doing it.

Good luck w/your plants, and keep us posted on the types of plants you get..Toni
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notanatural
Original Author
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
250? 400? Oh My! I'd have to sleep with them on my bed if I had that many plants. Wow, I'd completely lose track if I had that many. They all have such different requirements.

Unfortunately I live in a city apt, and not much room here, so the number of plants I can have will always be limited.

The next plant I get from the club are asiatic lilies actually. I know roses are on the list somewhere- not sure which month. December maybe? The list said "peach roses"- so I'm guessing they're regular roses- not mini ones. Oh who knows. I guess these clubs are more for those with nice outdoor spaces adjoining their homes. Sadly, I will never be one of them. Maybe I'll give the roses away to someone eventually. I've never been too fond of them anyway. And I can't fathom trying to grow them.

I'm going to have to try growing the tulip bulbs indoors, I don't have any access to an outdoor area. I'm still a little uncertain about how to go about it, despite some voracious reading uptil 2am last night. Do the bulbs have to be chilled first? They were purchased from an online nursery by my friend and she had a few left over. Does that imply they were pre-chilled? It doesn't say anything on the packet.

This is all very frustrating but so much fun fun fun. Going to go buy some new supplies after work today and be at it tomorrow morning.

What I really want to try and do is grow plants from seeds- is that a bit too challenging for me at my level? Do I have to wait till spring to seed plants? They aren't even available right now in most stores anyway, which leads me to believe this is not the time to plant seeds.
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birdsnblooms
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nota, sounds like the club your getting plants from sends outdoor specimens..that's ashame, because you sound very enthusiastic about getting and growing plants..Roses won't work indoors..
Most likely tulips will need a chilling period..One yr I put some in the fridge, (trying to hide them from my husband)LOL, but they rotted. It takes trial and error.

Do you want to sow houseplant or annual/perrenial seeds? If you're looking for outdoor plants, it's still too early. We have to get through Christmas first..LOl.
If you're looking for houseplant seedlings, there are many online nurseries that sell seeds.

You ask is sowing seed to much of a challenge..If you follow instructions and give proper care you should be able to grow many plants from seeds. You'll lose some of course, but it's not a big thing..
It's exciting growing plants from seeds, watching them grow to adulthood.
Cactus are easy to grow from seed. They take time growing though..It really depends what you're looking to grow.
You can grow seedlings any time of year, (if you've a heating cable for most) but it's best to start in late Jan/Feb. Toni
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notanatural
Original Author
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Yeah, I suppose when one thinks of gardening, the natural instinct is to think of outdoors. Well, whatever won't grow inside, I'll just give away. Where I work, the landlord has a backyard that they've done up beautifully this year. Maybe they will want roses.

I've put my tulip bulbs in the fridge for chilling- in a pot. I got a small enough one today that wouldn't be a hindrance in the fridge. I hope lemons and limes don't harm it. I don't keep apples though or mostly no fruits at all. Just lemons, limes and herbs.

Why did your bulbs rot? Is it okay to leave them in the fridge till Jan?
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birdsnblooms
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nota, I'd have to check my plant books to be sure..Maybe someone here knows..
One thing I did was place plastic around the pots, which could have caused rot.
Do you have an outdoor balcony? Toni
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notanatural
Original Author
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
No Toni, sniff sniff. This current apt of mine doesn't have a balcony or a fire escape or anything remotely outdoorsy. My previous apt had a fire escape- which my cats used as their balcony. I wish I had started this plant obsession while I was there- would've been perfect. It was a south facing even.

By the way, I've also started germinating some anaheim pepper seeds I found yesterday for 50 cents. Thought, what the hell, worth a try. Just trying out a few seeds and if it doesn't work, then I'll try and be patient till spring.

I had them sitting under a florescent light we have in the kitchen. The light was installed very low, under the cabinets. so I kept the containers on top of the coffee maker, which gets them abut 6" underneath the light.

Right now it's very rainy and pleasant outside. If the temp drops a lot at night, I have a hot water bottle- would that double as a heating mat perhaps? The sad part is that we're due to get absolutely no sun for the next 5-7 days in a row. How terrible is that? Hope the forecast is wrong, but it's the 3rd day in a row that it's been totally cloudy and raining.I hope my gardenia doesn't start to exert its temperament at this point.
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notanatural
Original Author
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sorry if I should've started a new post- but another question for you two-

Gardenia is doing good I think- I think it's settling down now. However, I noticed today, there was some weed growing in the container.

Well, I'm guessing it's weed- tiny little green things in the soil.

I took them out, carefully, luckily there werent much. But how can I prevent this? Should I go back to adding some mulch but perhaps not as much as it came with?

Moreover, is this normal? Should I just let it be?
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Cena
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nota, your best idea is to just pick them out as they show up.

Since I grow lots outside, I always have some weed or another sprouting in a pot. I also use my own home made compost, which doesn't get hot enough to get rid of all the undesirable seeds. So, just pull, and no worries.

I am really learning to not let these vermicious kanidds (and slithy toves. Sorry, poetic today, it means bad creatures) set seed. I find a lot of logic and sound wisdom in the English Proverb "Let one seed, weed for seven years." I'm learning, really, I am.

And this could have come from your soil, a bird that flew over once upon a time, your uncovering the soil allowing light to get to a long dormant seed. Not to worry, just keep 'em under control.
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Sachis2112
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm surprised no one posted a link to the Suicidal Gardenia thread. It's the BEST!!!! LOL!!! Here you go. Enjoy!

Here is a link that might be useful: So you want to grow a Gardenia, huh?
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Cena
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sachis, I had miss placed the SG thread, and really, even if I didn't, didn't want to terrorize a brand newish grower.

So, anyway, now, Nota. You get to read about LONG TIME gardeners um, challenges, with gardenia plants.

December = Cyclamen another tricky one
January = Kalanchoe easy peasy, IF you follow some simple rules
February = Gardenia now, I'm confused...
March = Calla lilies don't know much, there
April = Hyacinths " "
May = Jasmine " " Toni to the rescue!
June = Azelea " "
July = Roses Depends on if mini or not
August = Fressia " "
September= Mums Another easy peasy one
October = Persian Violets never, ever let them dry completely out, really looks good when maintained... but
Novermber= Gerbera daisys ... Nice plant, tricky. Can mold/mildew easily, but great flowers. Does not like to dry completely out, but not be damp all the time.

So, there is another club, flowering bulbs, but it looks like this is the Gift.

Good luck with them, can't answer how you got out of order, or if it matters. Stay tuned for GREAT news on Cena's crazy citrus...

Um, don't be scared by the Gardenia Thread. It was posted a LONG time ago, some of them, tongue in cheek, most of them dead serious. But hey, everyone is different!
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notanatural
Original Author
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Haha, you guys. I'm not so easily scared. If it fights, I will fight back.

I have some questions about the Gardenia soil though and also about a few new plants I got. I will just start a new post for them. Took some pics and will put them on here. But don't laugh at my plants, they're probably very pitiful compared to your lucious gardens! But, I will get there- one day!
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Sachis2112
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh, my! I didn't mean to terrorize. That thread actually provided a lot of great information for me with my first Gardenia (which thrived wonderfully for two years before I went on vacation for two weeks and didn't have anyone to baby sit it) and gave me a good laugh besides.

I guess it just did me good to see that, if I couldn't keep the one I had alive, I should just try again in the knowledge that I'm not alone.
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Wrinkled_Green_Thumb
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I just brought mine in since the temps will hit the 30's tonight and I've got them in my studio in front of north facing windows with GE Bright Sticks behind them. A timer lights them up from 6 to 6 regardless of sunshine and I've got water pans over the floor heat vents. Temps range from 60 to 68 with decent humidity. What about acid-forming fertilizer in the winter months?
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notanatural
Original Author
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow, this thread is still alive! Just a follow up- gardenia is doing well- I see new leaves growing on the top, no more yellow leaves- just 3- that have been there since my first post.
I have fertilized it once- last week, for the first time since I got it and I'm guessing that's all it needs till spring now, is that right?

It's a bit bushy and I'm guessing it will get even more so. I'm resisting the urge to trim it right now. Spring is when I should be doing that, right? Would I be able to take a cutting and root it at that time? Does it work like that with gardenias?
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Wrinkled_Green_Thumb
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I think I've found the magic combination for wintering gardenias. I water well once a week with an acid-forming fertilizer, mist daily and keep them inn a cooler room with a 'grow stick' on for 12 hours a day (18" away).

Beautiful shiny green leaves with zero yellowing and prolific blooming!
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Meshu
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
hi hi ,
im a new member and im in need of some advice .
As others have stated i too have received a gardina on mothers day and what a beauty it is. A once med. sized plant has now grown into a very large plant . This beauty bloomed all summer in a large pot that i left outdoors in full sun and watered well faithfully every day .
Now the problem... Im in New Hampshire and baby its cold outside , already had a noreaster in oct. :(
As soon as I brought in the gardina and set it in my picture window the leaves started turning yellow and dropping like flies. The next warm day ,( remember im in new england wait 5 mins and the weather changes ) I brought the plant back outside and its back to doing wonderful QUESTION: How do i take care of this beauty in the winter months ? Can it be planted out side ? Would it come back in the sprin g ? It gets very very cold here
thanks bunchs....
~meshu~
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venus18
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Please help me!!! My gardenia has done WONDERFUL this spring and summer out on my porch here in southern new jersey Zone 7. I moved her indoors in early october. Her leaves were shinny and i have buds all over her but i noticed her leaves started yellowing near the trunk. I have her potted in a large pot with stones on the bottom for good drainage and miracle grow potting soil. I give her miracaid once a week. i though i was over watering so i repotted her in the same manner, with stones on bottom and potting soil to no avail the leaves are still yellowing and turning brown moving from the inside of the branches out. the branches are droppy also. She is now in my jacuzzi room so she gets plenty of sun and humidity. what am i doing wrong and how can i save her.? ifell like i'm watching her die a slow death. Please help i've tried everything
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notanatural
Original Author
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Venus, I wouldn't really know what to tell you since I'm such a novice, I'm sure one of the seniors on this forum will jump in soon. But I might as well use this opportunity to give an update on my gardenia- it WAS doing wonderfully up until about 10 days ago- the leaf tips are getting brown and some leaves have started yellowing again. It's actually shedding some leaves now which it never used to before. Hmmmm. Nothing has changed- the watering pattern is the same (about once a week- and actually last time I watered, I waited until leaves were almost drooping, to water again), haven't fertilized in forever. I did repot about what.. 3 or 4 weeks ago? Roots were all fine then!

I'm leaving for 3 weeks next week, and I just know I'll be coming home to a dead plant. I've already prepared myself mentally, to purchase a new one. I won't give up till I get it right!
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Meshu
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
wrinkled green thumb does have the answer... cept for the foaming stuff.. i did exactly what she says and my gardina is doing great !
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User
18 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Can anyone tell me what that gray powder is on the underside leaves of a gardenia bush that is about 8ft. tall. It is just a spot here and there but not covered with it. Some of the leaves have a darkish black tint to some of them.
What do I need to do?
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mygardenia
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hello everyone,
I am a real beginner when it comes to taking care of plants. However, I absolutely adore flowers and plants, I saw a gardenia tree when I was travelling with my boyfriend, and i was raving about how beautiful the flowers were and how nice it smelled ever since, and 4 months later, he got me one, i would say it s about 1.5m has already 3 flowers on it, and about4 buds.. I am in love with it, I am in Montreal so you can imagine the weather conditions, i have put it next to a window right now, but from your posts i have read maybe its best if it faces the south.. It has a few yellow leaves on the tree was nt quiet sure what to do with it. Please help me take care of it. The soil is moist, but some people told me not to water until the soil fells fairly dry.. so i have basic questions, like how do i water it, how do i feed it, should i leave it in a room where we dont usually have the heating on, I would love your help, thanks.
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shic_2006
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You can use peat (acid) as soil. I would also use small pot. To have a great plant, the roots have to be healthy.
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birdsnblooms
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Mygardenia, yes, it's best to keep in the room that isn't entirely heated..Unless it's freezing, under 35F..Is it?
If you don't have a south window, a west window will do. My south is unobstructed as far as curtains/blinds, but it gets little light in winter..It placed outside in summer, out front, getting mostly west exposure..also some south and north. Gardenias should be fertilized from Mar-Oct..Once a month w/an acidic food..azalea fertilzier works great. Because we had a ton of rain this summer, I had to keep emptying the outter pot my one gardenia was sitting in..otherwise it'd get yellow leaves. I keep my 2 gardenias outside until it's pretty cool to cold. They're still outside..When night temps drop under 40F, that's when I bring them indoors..and usually because of the cooling period, it flowers after they're brought inside. It depends though. (mostly on sun)
I water a lot more in summer than winter..It's true the soil needs to dry between waterings. And remember, if you decide to set your plant in the unheated room, the soil will take longer to dry. I mist daily, especially in winter when the heat is turned on, and humidity decreases. When in flower, I do not mist the bud/flower. Toni
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mygardenia
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thank you Toni I appreciate all the information.. All made sense, except I still didnt understand what needs to be done for the yellow leaves. On the other hand, I also realised that some of the leaves, have these little brown things stuck on them, they fall off, if you scrap them, would you have any idea what they are?
Right now, we dont have any heating on, I will try to keep it in a room where we dont have much heating on. How long do they flower flower for? I have nothing so, do i mist with plain water, do i add anything to the water when watering it, do i spray it with something.
I appreciate your help. Hande
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canttype
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Little brown things stuck on the leaves? Oh No! Likely a scale infestation! Does it look similar to this:{{gwi:109416}}

Maybe you don't have so many, (yet) but that is what comes to mind when you mentioned brown things stuck to the leaves. If you can't see the picture, it's on the link I attatched. They could be the cause of your yellow leaves.

Diane

Here is a link that might be useful: Help with scale.
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birdsnblooms
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
MyGardenia, sounds like scale for sure..Diane posted a pic above..They also are round in shape. Scrape off w/fingernail..
First, isolate the plant from all others. Do ASAP. They are contagious and will find homes on other plants.
I didn't have time to read Diane's link, but one way to rid scale, if plant isn't too infested, is by scraping and swiping w/rubbing alcohol. Use a cotton ball or Q-tip. Also, gardenias love humiidty..scale dotes on dry, stale, airless rooms. Inprove the environment and scale will steer clear. I mist my Gardenias daily in winter and try showering them once a wk. In summer they're kept outdoors until temps drop in the 40's. Keep cool in winter..
I think once you rid the scale you'll find less yellow leaves..Toni
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notanatural
Original Author
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Ya know, now, coming to think of it, I had scales on my bay laurel recently. I had no idea what it was but I used q-tips and rubbing alcohol to get rid of them. They kept coming back for a few days but now they seem to have all gone. whew. The plant is very close to a few others but they seem to be totally fine!

My gardenia is by a south window as well but the sun is much too strong for it there. It gets a great deal more of the afternoon sun than it would want. Some of the leaves are quite badly scorched. It got really bad in the peak of summer and I just plucked some of the burnt leaves off. Now, it seems better but gets a scorch here and there. I don't think it's a health problem in the plant- I'm more than positive it's the strong sun. But because it is producing buds at the moment, I'm much too scared to change its location. I'll have to wait till next month to do that.

This new variety I have- 'fortuniana' seems much much more tolerent than the one I had before. The leaves aren't as thick, they seem more fragile. But it very very rarely yellows on me. My first one (the one that prompted this thread in the first place) was one big yellower.

Mygardenia- did you read the suicidal thread yet? do a search for it. May take you a long time to read it from beginning to end though.
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shic_2006
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Here is an image I found from HK-Tree.com it seems the leaves of fortuniana are kind of thin.

{{gwi:109417}}
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