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Fragrant Plants

why aren't my gardenia buds blooming?

16 years ago

I bought my Gardenia around x-mas. After buying it i find out that they are one of the most tempermental plants to grow. I did some research and was determined to get this plant to bloom. I water it, I mist it, and I feed it miracid. Buds began to appear and oh so slowly grow bigger and bigger. Finally 2 buds opened up and the flowers are so beautiful and the fragrance is wonderful not overwhelming like i thought it might be. So worth all the effort. Anyhow, now none of the other buds appear to be getting to the blooming point. Is it normal for so many buds to appear and only a few to actually bloom or is it all just an agonizing waiting game?

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Comments (9)

puglvr1
16 years ago
Unfortunately I don't have an answer for you, I have only been growing these for appx. 3 months myself. But I have read so many posts on here till my eyes got blurry, LOL...So I am still learning and experimenting with what works. So far so good? I even have a few possible buds, whether they will bloom is another story, (o: . Just wanted to offer my support and say, hang in there maybe it does take time for them to grow and open. The fact that you had some blooms open is a very good sign. Do you have it outside or inside? I will also be waiting for some of the advise given here and might apply to my gardenias.

Good Luck!
jimshy
16 years ago
Patience! It's hard to get a gardenia to bloom in winter up North, and these big, fragrant flowers need a lot of energy to pop open. As long as growing conditions are good, they'll open when they're ready, the trick is too keep them from blasting before their time -- all the usual advice; moist but not too wet, good air circulation, don't overfertilize, watch for mites, etc. and keep your fingers crossed.

(Those whose faith does not prohibit it may consider a small sacrifice to the fickle and cruel Gardenia Goddesses)

Good luck!

Jim
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ecarrion77
Original Author
16 years ago
I haven't been online 2 c any responses 2 my blog entry for a while and i'm glad 2 c I've had some responses. I really appreciate any advice i can get. I'm currently growing my gardenia indoors in a window that gets great light in the morning and moderate thourhgout the rest of the day. I'm excited 2 say that i now have about 7 beautiful flowers in full bloom on my plant. Its funny how all the buds seemed to grow in at the same time and yet they appear to be growing and blooming in groups at different times. They are so worth all the work. I have some pictures that I'd love to post but I'm not sure at the moment how to do that yet. Its been so long since I've checked this blog but if anyone looks again I was wondering if the gardenia blooms grow bigger the older the plant gets or is the bloom size determined by the type of plant you have? Thank you soooo much
snasxs
16 years ago
ecarrion, congratulations. You can email me the pictures (cshieffer@yahoo.com). I will post them for you.
birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Ecarrion..flower size depends on the type, but like all flowers, they start out as buds, (small) and w/time open and mature..
Some gardenias have small flowers, some medium and others large..But, environment has to do with size, too. In a perfect climate, the standard gardenia, most likely, have huge, fragrant blossoms. Wouldn't that be nice?? Sun, humidity, and fresh air destine the results of our plants..parroting their native habitate takes effort and sometimes replicating is impossible, depending where we live..Good luck, Toni
Lisa Marie Johnson
6 years ago
I got my gardenia,for mothers day.I planted it right away by my bedroom window.it gets shade in the morning and sun through out the day.I have had one flower,a bunch of buds that never bloomed ,the leaves are yellow.I water it,I put pure manure on it.idk what else to do.I work hard on all my flowers and plants.this one is giving a fit.... any suggestions on what to do.

???
pereiracity
5 years ago
pure manure will burn the plant. as this post is old, I think you may have found that out

composted, aged manure
myermike_1micha
5 years ago
?
pereiracity
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
"Pure/Fresh Manure" will burn the roots of the plants and is not balanced. No doubt there are many article on composting on this site

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