How to fertilize potted gardenia correctly?

Gardenia, also known as huang zhizi or shan zhi, is an ornamental flower with evergreen leaves all year round and fragrant blooms, mostly grown as potted plants.So how should potted gardenias be fertilized? How are they cared for on a regular basis?

1. How to fertilize potted gardenias?

1. Base fertilizer

Gardenias are fertilizer-loving plants, so before planting, apply a sufficient amount of base fertilizer, preferably well-rotted fertilizers such as soybean cake, sesame paste residue or peanut bran.

2. Top dressing

From April to October, apply top dressing once a month to gardenias, except during the flowering period. Starting in April, spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate once a week until flower buds appear on most branches of the whole gardenia plant. Stop fertilizing after October and during the flowering period.

3. Fertilizer amount

Apply light fertilizer frequently, and adjust the concentration according to the condition of the seedlings. Use a thinner concentration for small seedlings and a relatively higher concentration for large seedlings. Vigorous seedlings grow strongly, so the fertilizer concentration can be a bit stronger than for weak seedlings. After fertilizing, observe the state of the seedlings. If the leaves become soft the next day, it means the concentration is too high, and you should immediately drench the roots with plenty of water to dilute the concentration. If leaf scorching appears within 3-5 days, it also means the fertilizer concentration is too high, and you should immediately water to dilute it and relieve the fertilizer damage.

4. Fertilizing taboos

Do not fertilize diseased or weak gardenias, do not fertilize during the flowering or dormant periods, and do not fertilize newly planted gardenias or directly beneath their root crowns.

2. How to care for potted gardenias on a regular basis?

1. Soil

Use fertile, loose, well-drained acidic soil. For example, thoroughly rotted pine sawdust mixed into the soil also works very well. Or before planting gardenias, add organic fertilizer (rotted animal manure, cake fertilizer) to the soil and mix it evenly with the soil.

2. Watering

During the growing period of gardenias, pay attention to increasing the amount of watering appropriately, and also spray some water on the leaves of the gardenia, which can effectively raise the air humidity. At the same time, note that watering should not be excessive in winter to prevent root rot.

3. Light

Gardenias are light-loving plants, so it is recommended to increase the light duration during spring and autumn. In summer and winter, it is recommended to place them indoors in a spot with light for cultivation, to avoid temperatures that are too high or too low during the growing period.

4. Temperature

The most suitable temperature for gardenia growth is between 20-28 degrees. It should not be too hot or too cold, and direct sunlight should be avoided.

5. Pruning

Every year, ineffective branches need to be removed, which can promote the sprouting of new branches, and the new branches will grow new flower buds.

Fertilizing gardenias and other routine care are not difficult. Basically, by following the methods above, you can grow potted plants very well.