How Many Times a Year Does a Gardenia Bloom? Understanding the Blooming Patterns of Gardenias
The song “Gardenia Blooming” expresses the sorrow of parting at graduation and also the fresh, elegant beauty of the gardenia, making the gardenia a “well-known” flower of the graduation season. But do you know how many times a year a gardenia blooms? How should it be cared for?
How many times a year does a gardenia bloom?
Different gardenia varieties bloom a different number of times. For example, the large-leaf gardenia blooms once a year, producing large white flowers in June; the small-leaf gardenia can bloom twice with proper care, flowering continuously from May to June through August; while the four-season gardenia can bloom twice a year, with a flowering period from March to August.
How should a gardenia be cared for?
1. Watering
Gardenias can be watered frequently, but must not be waterlogged. As with most flowers, watering can follow the principle of “don't water until dry, and water thoroughly when you do.” Generally, water thoroughly about once every three days, and never let water accumulate. When temperatures are high, you can spray water around the plant in the morning and evening.
2. Fertilizing
Before the gardenia blooms, you can apply potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Be sure to apply light fertilizer frequently, spraying the leaves every day. When repotting in spring, you can use decomposed cake fertilizer and ferrous sulfate as a base fertilizer. When the temperature is above 30°C, reduce fertilization. In winter, when the gardenia is dormant, fertilize sparingly or stop fertilizing altogether.
3. Light and temperature
The growing temperature for gardenias is around 20°C. In winter, when they enter dormancy, be sure to keep them warm. When summer temperatures are too high, they need to be moved indoors to avoid sunburn on the leaves, which causes yellow spots. Generally, in spring and autumn, gardenias can be placed in direct sunlight; in summer, when temperatures are high, they need appropriate shading; in winter, they can be placed on a sunny, south-facing balcony.
Gardenias have a fragrant scent, pure white flowers and emerald-green leaves, making them an excellent indoor potted plant. Those who like them can buy them at a flower market or flower shop, or purchase seedlings to plant themselves.