Hi Bigpaulie, The reason gardenias for south FL are grafted is that they are prone to nematode damage. I don't know whether you are far enough north for this not to be a problem. I am in Sarasota and I have two huge gardenias (one is 9ft tall, even wider) that were on this property long before I was here. I don't know what type they were. They both have huge nematode galls at the base, but these things are vigorous, healthy, and bloom like nobody's business every year. Go figure. I never fertilize other than adding leaves/mulch at the base or throwing my coffee grounds their way. I never spray and they don't get sooty mold. I frequently hear other people having trouble with gardenias and I am stumped as to why mine do well. Anyway, I just wanted to share that in some cases, even with non-grafted, nematode infested plants, the plants do well. I say go for it and see. What have you got to lose? Anna

Wait until after the blooms have fallen off. That should be another 4 to 6 weeks. Prepare a large pot, bucket or planter box with a good sandy loam. Water the soil well and use a pencil to punch holes in the damp soil. Then cut stems back about 8 inches at one of the nodes. Remove most of the leaves, except the top top 2 or 3. Cut the remaining leaves in half across the short sides. Dip the dry stems in a rooting powder. Put the stems down into the soild about 4-5 inches. Water well so the sand settles firmly around the stems. Now place the pot in light shade and water daily. You should see 80% of the cuttings survive.

Two very easy ways: (1) Pick blooms with about 6 inches of stem. Put in water and enjoy the blooms. WHen the bloom dies, pull it off and leave the stems in water. Put in a bright window but no direct sun. Add just enough MiracleGro or other fertilizer until you can barely see color in the water. If water sours, clean vase or jar and replace water and fertilizer. In about 3 weeks you should begin to see roots. WHen roots are well established, pot the plant in sand and place outside in bright shade for two weeks. Water daily. Gradually move into sun to harden-off. (2) This is easier. Take a low limb on your mother's bush and scrape away the bark on the bottom side about half way between the end of the limb and the trunk. Push it down to the ground, cover the limb with soil and put a brick on it to hold it down. Keep it watered. It will soon root. Cut it loos from the mother plant, dig and replant. I've had limbs take root by themselves.

Hi, I have successfully rooted the Gardenia, August Beauty several time both in the soil and in water only. I have had 100 percent success with either method. For soil starting of a cutting, I use a soil less mix and rooting powder dabbed onto the end of the cutting. I put the cutting in a small pot and cover the the cutting with a mason jar or any other glass container. I leave it in bright light, keep it moist and it will root, usually in three to four weeks. With water I place a cutting in a clear glass container and I change the water about once a week I also rinse the cutting. It will root in three to four weeks. When the cutting gets a fair amount of roots I pot it up. Hope this helps and good luck, Rich.