How to plant gardenia seeds? Growing methods and precautions

SummarySeed selection: For gardenia, select plump, ripe fruits, dry them in the shell under the sun, then cut the skin open, take out the seeds and put them in hot water; select the plump seeds that sink to the bottom, dry off the moisture and then sow. Sowing: generally carried out in spring and around the Autumn Equinox; mix the seeds with wood ash and place them in the soil, cover with fine soil and then with grass, and water the soil thoroughly; during the growing period keep the soil moist. Raising seedlings: seedlings will emerge in about 20 days; after emergence, remove the grass promptly and then carry out field management.

I. Seed seedling-raising methods

1. Seed selection

Select plump, dark-red ripe fruits, dry them in the shell under the sun to use as seed, then use scissors to cut the seed skin open, take out the seeds, put them in hot water and rub them apart, remove floating seeds and impurities, then scoop out the plump seeds that have settled to the bottom, place them in a ventilated spot to dry off excess moisture, and they are ready for sowing.

2. Sowing

Gardenia seeds are suitable for sowing in spring, and can also be sown around the Autumn Equinox in autumn. You can choose deep, loose, fertile sandy loam for sowing. Mix the seeds with wood ash, evenly place them on the soil, then cover the seeds with fine soil or burnt soil, and finally cover with grass and water the soil thoroughly. During the seed growing period, keep the soil moist.

3. Raising seedlings

After sowing, gardenia will emerge in about 20 days. After emergence, promptly remove the covering grass. When the seedlings grow to 2-3 true leaves, thin them out, and keep the container free of weeds. For autumn sowing, 2-3 topdressings can be applied in the first year, and 1 topdressing each in spring, summer and autumn of the second year; for spring sowing, apply 1 topdressing each in spring, summer, autumn and winter. For autumn-sown seedlings, by late autumn to early winter of the second year, when the seedlings grow to more than 30cm, they can be planted out; for spring-sown ones, you need to wait until spring of the second year, when the seedlings reach 30cm, to plant them out.

II. Management after planting out seedlings

1. Potting soil

For the potting soil used for planting out, you can use mountain soil, or mix 2 parts river sand, 4 parts leaf mold and 4 parts vegetable garden soil for growing. Gardenia likes to be planted in fertile, loose, well-drained acidic soil, and the suitable soil pH is between 4-6.

2. Temperature

Gardenia likes to grow in a warm environment, and the suitable growing temperature is 16-18°C. Too high or too low a temperature is unfavorable to its growth, so in the hot summer season, appropriately lower the indoor temperature, and in the low-temperature winter season, take good insulation measures. In both summer and winter, it can be placed in a ventilated spot indoors for growing.

3. Watering

Gardenia likes to grow in a moist environment and has relatively high requirements for soil moisture and air humidity. During the growing period, ensure sufficient water; you can water frequently as appropriate, and at the same time spray water mist on the leaves or in the room to increase air humidity. In winter, reduce the amount of watering to avoid excessive water accumulation causing root rot in the plant.

4. Fertilizing

Gardenia does not have very high fertilizer requirements, but during the peak growing season, apply fertilizer once about every 14 days; this helps its branches and leaves grow more luxuriantly and the flowers it produces look more beautiful.

5. Pruning

During the growth of gardenia, branches and leaves easily overlap and affect ventilation, so pruning can be done in an appropriate amount; this promotes better growth and branching. After the flowers fade, promptly prune the remaining branches, which helps preserve nutrients and promote the sprouting of new shoots.

III. Growing precautions

1. After transplanting, promptly water thoroughly with settling water and keep the soil moist, but there should not be water accumulation, to avoid root rot. Before budding and flowering, apply light, frequent fertilizer water.

2. The row spacing for planting out seedlings depends on the purpose for which the gardenia is produced. Generally, for plants used as cut flowers and for ornamental use in public places, the planting pits are about 50cm deep and 50cm wide. Generally, it is best to plant out during the dormancy period of the seedlings. If planting out during the growing period, it is necessary to carry a soil ball, which helps increase the survival rate.

3. Gardenia grown in the open field has strong adaptability, and its planting management is relatively extensive, making it easy to succeed. It is suitable to choose semi-shaded plots with fertile, loose, well-drained acidic and slightly acidic soil for planting.