alodal, Gardenias like morning sun, afternoon shade. THey like composted cow manure in the soil, and depending on what your soil is like, add alot of it, and mix it up well with your exsisting soil. They need mulch, VERY important, if you don't use it, don't plant them, that is how important mulch is. At least 2-3 inches of mulch, not to the stems of the bush, underneath of them. When a gardenia needs water, it will ask. Use your fingers to check for moisture, and also look at the leaves. Are the leaves all folded, like its saying "I need water". Never fertilzie a plant right after you plant it, or when it is blooming. It doesn't like to eat when it is stressed out. Gardenias develope next years flower buds in this summer, so always trim or prune a gardenia right after it blooms, that way you won't miss next years flowers. That's it. And enjoy, yellow leaves are fine. DOn't stress over them. THey really are more hardy than you think.

I am thrilled to see your pictures. My place would be too cold to grow the tropical ones. They are possibly in a big family, not in the same section. Gardenia thumbergia for example is a huge tree gardenia native of South Africa. Your first picture is wonderful. I do not have it. May be we can do exchage next year. My collection of plant is mainly camellias. I have about 1,000 plant in my backyard. Back to rooting, the prefered condition is warm 80 to 90 dgrees F.( day and light) with about 50% shade in constant humid condition, no wet feet. It is better to have mist spray which is the method of professional. I get by with enclosed envirnment. If water method is also working for you. Why not try both. I also apply grft method to keep my Bird's Tongue growing. It is very easy to take. If you should have only a few precious scions. You should use graft method to establish your stock. After you have a big bush, then try propagate it by rooting.

Richie, I started a post called, 'Richie, where are you?' Can we continue on the new thread..this one is a tad long, and takes forever to download. I'll never remember the questions you asked, so I might as well answer here..lol First, how are YOU doing? I hope your're well. And your mom? G/f? About my new Gardenias, I'm very upset. I guess the weather did more harm than I thought..I doubt any gardenias will make it..the temps were just too cold. I dont know if I should notify the owner or not, since he waited a long time before shipping. All the leaves are frosted, every last one. I dont know what to do. They turned black and crisp. I didn't mention it because I was in denial, hoping I was wrong, but they've pretty much had it. BTW, the nursery ships wonderful plants, it's not his fault. It's my fault for not asking him to hold them longer. Sounds like you got a bunch of new plants too..it must be the season, or maybe we can blame it on a full moon..lol For us in Il it's the season..tonight rain AND snow! I dont want to see snow until next year..lol Foxtail, Ming, Spreng and Plumosia Ferns are well, but need new, big pots..they are huge. In fact, you know those huge square pots to plant outdoor plants? The pots I'm talking about are orange, square. I might end up potting ferns inside each planter..the problem is I need 4 and they've gone up in cost. If they're 7.00, I can afford it, but if they're over 10.00 I'll have to devise another plan. Dividing! Variegated Ginger needs a huge pot too..gotta find a place that 'gives away' free pots..lol.. You're lucky you finished gardening..family helps..my family have no interest in gardening, so I don't ask. A lot of digging and planting..sigh..I feel like spraying weed killer, but won't..can't because of the dogs for one. Our little dog would be rolling in it..lol.. We had to give him an emergency bath a few mins ago..dh took them to the woods, and that little brat found a mud area..of course he came home with 4" of mud on his little body. He ran up to me, telling me he needed a bath which he got. The sink was filthy..he had enough dirt to fill up a plant pot..lol.. Richie, dont forget..I started the thread here on GW looking for you. Please answer on that thread..my puter takes too long to dl long threads..thanks, and I know I can speak for others, we're glad you're back..hugs, Toni

Two of my august beauties started blooming last week (same time as you), just as my daisy was starting to peak. This seems consistent with years past, if not a little early. My radicans will start opening soon, so I should have that wonderful gardenia smell for quite some time! I'm about 2 miles south of downtown, btw.