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Fragrant Plants

Please help! My gardenia is losing its leaves

18 years ago

Hi, all,

I have a gardenia plant. It is a Klaim's Hardy. Since last

fall, after I moved it indoors, it has been losing its

leaves. The leaves on the lower part of the stems became a

little dry, then developed some brown spots and then dropped.

Any suggestion is welcome. Thanks.

I have a picture here:

http://storage.msn.com/x1pNWjjkHJ3o_xIFFKp0bm35u2NmyKU7V9zpTbzif7vEcnYHtcjQHeymO5cUrbEPfUHJbLjNQbMhm1plku78qiYvbqyyE6O8ZvVxtuBhbDdJYIIJDhtWDQAca_zFz4uR-MiZib_DuimTVY

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Comments (6)

jeff_al
18 years ago
likely cause would be lack of humidity in a home environment. they are not good candidates as houseplants generally unless you can provide that. a greenhouse or similar would be better or take a chance with it remaining outdoors. is that particular one rated as hardy for your zone? if so, i would plant it out.
amberzhang
Original Author
18 years ago
thanks, Jeff.

I just got it last fall. According to the nursery, it is hardy to zone 6. I will plant it next spring. Hope it won't die before that.
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chills71
18 years ago
I've overwintered a gardenia for the past 2 years. It is not a hardy variety (though I am getting one this next spring). It tends to lose about 1/3rd of its leaves, usually lower ones, but it springs back well in the spring. It currently is losing some lower leaves, and is growing new bright green leaves on top.

I never let it sit in water and I let it dry a little between waterings. It is in a cool (65 degree) room with no supplemental humidity.

~Chills
amberzhang
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi, Chills and Jeff

Thanks Chills. It really doesn't look like normal leaf falling. The leaves on the top are becoming weak and the buds at the top are drooping too.

I looked at the gardenia more closely recently. It is more like a fungus problem. I can see a little bit power like stuff on the unhealthy stem. And I noticed stems are turning brown from the bottom to the top. The leaves on the way develop brown spots and then drop. I cut one branch off and noticed some section of the stem was completely brown and dry. Looks like it's drying out. I wonder what kind of disease it is. Anyway, right now I am treating it with neem oil. I read somewhere that gardenia doesn't get fungus infection.
Peggy
18 years ago
You don't mention how much light it is in. Gardenias are definitely a challenge to grow indoors. Ideally, you would have it in a south facing window with maybe a grow light for additional help. I would definitely suggest having the pot on a humidity tray as misting the leaves doesn't really help much. Since it has lost several leaves be very careful to not overwater at this point. Also, keep the night temperature in 50-55 degree range. There is a product which looks very hokey but actually works really well, called Superthrive. I don't know if any of your local garden centers carry it, but it has certainly helped rescue some sickly plants for me. I hope that now that the daylength is increasing your plant will manage to hang on until spring.
shic_2006
18 years ago
A healthy plant should fend off fungus and other diseases. Yours must be declining. Please pay attention to the environment Â high humidity, proper temperature and acid soil/water. You can move it to a humid and cold room (45 degree) with bright but indirect light. The process freezes time. It significantly slows down the pace of declining. Move it out in the spring with proper care. If it died before that day, just buy another one. A medium sized bush costs less than $10 at Walmart. It is not a problem.

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