How to grow and care for gardenia in winter, watering about once a month
SummaryTemperature: The suitable overwintering temperature for gardenia is around 3-5°C; in winter the gardenia is in a semi-dormant state and its growth basically stops. Light: On sunny days in winter, the gardenia can be given about 5 hours of sunlight per day. Watering: Water when the potting soil is fairly dry, about once a month. Fertilizing: In winter the gardenia is in a state of stopped growth, so no fertilizing is needed.
How to grow and care for gardenia in winter
1. Temperature. In winter the gardenia enters a semi-dormant state; at this time its leaves begin to drop and it is in a state of stopped growth. The suitable overwintering temperature for gardenia is between 3-5°C.
2. Light. The gardenia is a light-loving plant. In winter, after the sun comes out, it is best to place the gardenia outdoors and let it receive about 5 hours of sunlight. Be careful not to expose it to strong direct sunlight. If the gardenia is kept out of sunlight for too long, its leaves will turn yellow, while suitable sunlight can also promote flowering the following year.
3. Watering. In winter the gardenia does not need much water. Watch the potting soil and water when it is fairly dry, generally about once a month. Of course, different regions have different environments and climates, so this should be decided according to the local climate. Note that you should not wait until the potting soil is completely dry and caked before watering.
4. Fertilizing. In winter the gardenia is in a semi-dormant state and basically does not grow, so no fertilizing is needed.
Gardenia growing techniques
1. Choosing soil
Gardenia is suited to growing in a slightly acidic soil environment. During this time, note that the soil pH should generally be between 4.0-6.5, so choosing good soil is very important for gardenia.
2. Suitable temperature
The best growing temperature for gardenia is between 16°C-18°C. During cultivation, the temperature must be controlled so it is neither too high nor too low, so in summer and winter you can choose a well-ventilated indoor spot for growing it.
3. Appropriate watering
Gardenia likes to grow in a sunny, warm and humid environment and has a relatively high demand for water and air humidity. Therefore, during the gardenia's growth, increase the amount of watering appropriately, and also note to spray a little water on the gardenia's leaves to raise the air humidity. In winter, watering should not be excessive, to avoid root rot.
4. Reasonable light
During the gardenia's growth, note to give it appropriate light, because gardenia is a light-loving plant. It is recommended to increase the lighting time in spring and autumn, while in summer and winter it can be placed in a well-lit indoor spot for growing, so that during the growing period the temperature is not too high or too low and the gardenia's growth is not affected.
5. Pruning and fertilizing
During the gardenia's growing period, the excess branches sprouting from root suckers can be cut off, which helps promote the gardenia's growth. During cultivation, the nutrients the gardenia needs must be replenished. The gardenia has a relatively high demand for nutrients, so during its vigorous growth period, apply fertilizer once every 15 days, such as sesame paste residue, soybean cake, peanut meal and other fertilizers, to make the gardenia grow more vigorously.
6. Precautions
The gardenia's growth cycle generally begins in April. When the temperature starts to rise gradually, the gardenia will begin to revive and grow, so do not break the gardenia's winter dormancy just because you want to enjoy its flowers, forcing it to grow in winter, which would shorten the plant's lifespan and also result in fewer flowers the following year.
When the winter temperature is very low, be sure to take freeze-protection measures for the gardenia. You can wrap the gardenia's pot with foam or plastic, which can better protect the gardenia's root system and let it quickly recover and grow in the coming spring. If you do not do a good job of keeping the gardenia warm, its root system will be frostbitten in the low temperatures, it will not be able to grow normally in the following spring, and the gardenia's flowering time will also be relatively late.