How to grow gardenia

1. Soil

When growing gardenias, you need to pay attention to the soil. The soil must be loose, breathable, water-permeable, fertile and acidic. The soil for it can be mixed with peat soil and leaf mold in a ratio of 1:1. You can also mix peat soil, perlite, and vermiculite in a ratio of 4:1:1, and finally add a small amount of pine needle soil to increase the acidity of the soil.

2. Lighting

Gardenia likes light, so it is best to place it in a bright place during maintenance. More sunlight can promote better photosynthesis, making the leaves dark green and blooming as scheduled. Note that the sunlight in summer is too strong and must be blocked in time, otherwise you will easily get sunburned. The light in winter is soft, so it can be placed in a well-lit place throughout the day. More sun exposure is beneficial for overwintering.

3. Temperature

Gardenia likes a warm environment. The suitable temperature for its growth is between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius. It is not cold-resistant. After winter comes, when the temperature drops to 10℃, you need to move it indoors and keep the temperature above 10℃ to avoid frostbite. Also, be aware of the high temperatures in summer. When the temperature exceeds 32℃, ventilation needs to be increased and water needs to be sprayed frequently to help it cool down.

4. Watering

It consumes more water during the peak growing season. If you find the soil dry, you must replenish water in time to ensure that the soil is moist. Note that it is afraid of waterlogging. The amount of watering must be controlled well, the soil can be slightly moist, and water accumulation is strictly prohibited. Not only does it require soil moisture, but it also requires a certain level of air humidity. If the climate is relatively dry, you need to spray water frequently to increase the humidity. Do not spray on flowers during flowering to avoid premature withering of flowers.

5. Fertilization

Gardenia is a plant that likes fertilizer. Not only does it need base fertilizer to be applied when planting, but it also needs timely top dressing during the growing season. Normally, you can apply decomposed organic fertilizer, and apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers before flowering. You can dilute potassium dihydrogen phosphate and spray the fertilizer on the plants. This will allow them to be absorbed quickly and also help them bloom.

6. Repotting

1. Time: Potted gardenias need to be repotted once a year. Repotting should be done in spring and autumn when the climate and temperature are suitable, which is conducive to its recovery and can also reduce damage.

2. Removing the pot: If you want to repot the gardenia, you need to cut off the water in advance so that it is easier to remove the pot. When removing the plant from the pot, hold the plant with one hand and turn the pot upside down with the other hand to take out the plant. This will reduce damage to the roots.

3. Root pruning: Repotting should be done simultaneously with root pruning, which is conducive to later growth. Cut off the old, dead and rotten roots of the gardenia, leaving only the strong roots. After pruning, the plant must be disinfected to avoid wound infection.

4. Potting: Choose a flowerpot that is larger than the old one to meet the space requirements. The soil can be prepared using the above method. After preparation, you can plant the processed gardenia back into the soil. Water thoroughly after planting and keep it in a warm, ventilated and semi-shaded environment. It will resume normal growth in about a week.

7. Pruning

When growing gardenias, proper pruning is required. Early spring is the peak season for gardenia germination. The tender buds on the top of the main branches should be cut off in time to control its height and encourage the germination of more side branches. During the growth period, if diseased and insect-infested branches or yellowing branches are found, they should be cut off in time, overgrown branches should be shortened, and overly dense branches should be thinned out. Prune the remaining flowers in time after each flowering to promote faster germination and growth. Heavy pruning is required every winter, mainly pruning branches after flowering and dry branches to reduce nutrient consumption and promote better roses.

8. Pests and diseases

If the environment provided during the maintenance of gardenia is not suitable, such as poor ventilation, high humidity, and high temperature, it will easily be infected by diseases and pests. Common diseases are chlorosis and leaf spot. Once discovered, they should be treated with medication in time. The drug can be 65% Zineb wettable powder 600 times sprayed. Common insect pests are whiteflies, spiny moths, and scale insects. You can use 3000 times diluted 2.5% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate to spray to kill spiny moths, and 1500 times diluted 40% oxydemeton-methyl emulsifiable concentrate to spray to kill scale insects and whiteflies.

9. Reproduction

1. Cutting method: The most commonly used method of propagation of gardenia is cutting method. The time is usually around March in spring or October in autumn, when the climate and temperature are more suitable, which is conducive to survival and easy management after planting. The cuttings must be strong and mature. You can plant it in water first, and then move it into the soil after it takes root. Insert the cut branches into a container of water and change the water frequently to prevent the cut ends from rotting. Provide a warm environment and it will take about three weeks to take root.

2. Layering method: Layering propagation is usually carried out around the Qingming Festival or during the rainy season. Select one-year-old strong branches from the three-year-old mother plant. Layer the branches that are 25 to 30 cm long, pull them to the ground, carve the part that is entering the soil, then cover them with soil and compact it. They will take root in about 20 to 30 days.

What to do if the leaves of gardenia turn yellow

1. Reasonable exposure to light: Gardenia likes light but is not resistant to sunlight. If it is placed in the shade for a long time or exposed to the sun for a long time during maintenance, it may cause yellow leaves. If it lacks light, move it to a place with good light as soon as possible and get more sun. If it is sunburned by strong sunlight, it needs to be shaded or moved to a semi-shaded and well-ventilated environment, and watered appropriately to help recovery.

2. Water in moderation: Gardenia likes a humid environment and is not drought-tolerant. If you don't water for a long time, the soil will become dry and yellow leaves will easily appear. Water should be applied as soon as possible to keep the plant moist, and spray water frequently when the climate is dry so that it can recover faster.

3. Reasonable fertilization: Yellow leaves of gardenia may be caused by improper fertilization. Although it likes fertilizer, it is afraid of concentrated fertilizer and raw fertilizer. If concentrated fertilizer or raw fertilizer is applied, it will cause fertilizer damage and lead to yellow leaves. Stop fertilizing as soon as possible, and use clean water to wash away the fertilizer and drain the fertilizer liquid. If the fertilizer damage is serious, it is best to change the soil as soon as possible.

4. Change the potting soil: Gardenia is not tolerant to alkalinity and does not like soil that is too sticky. If the soil is not suitable, it will cause yellow leaves. In this case, the soil needs to be changed as soon as possible to ensure that the soil is loose, breathable and acidic. Gardenia will grow vigorously in a suitable soil environment and avoid yellowing leaves.

What to do if gardenia does not bloom

1. Get more sun: Gardenia likes light and can tolerate slight shade. However, if it is kept in a cool environment for a long time during maintenance and cannot get sunlight, it will easily grow too tall, with lush branches and leaves but no flowers. In this case, it is best to prune it appropriately, then move it to a well-lit place and get more sun. Adequate light can help it resume normal growth as soon as possible and bloom as scheduled next time.

2. Supplement nutrients: Gardenia likes fertilizer. If it is not fertilized for a long time, poor soil will also cause it not to bloom. It is recommended to apply appropriate top dressing before flowering. Choose potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer and spray the fertilizer solution after diluting it. Adequate phosphorus and potassium elements are conducive to flowering and can also prolong the flowering period.

3. Water in moderation: Gardenia likes a humid environment and consumes a lot of water during the growing season. If it is not watered for a long time, the dryness and lack of water in the soil will affect its growth and flowering. Water should be added as soon as possible to make the soil moist. It can only grow vigorously and bloom better in a moist soil environment. Note that after the flowers bloom, you need to control the water appropriately, and water them only when they are dry, otherwise it will easily cause the flowers to fall prematurely.