How to grow gardenias? Understanding their habits is most important, and if you kill them, blame yourself
To grow flowers, you must understand the habits of the plants, otherwise no matter how you grow them, they always seem about to die. The same is true for growing gardenias. Not understanding their living habits is also why some people kill them no matter how they grow them. Before potting, let us first get to know them.
1. What gardenias like and dislike
Gardenias like warm, humid, and sunny environments, are relatively cold-tolerant, tolerate partial shade, and fear waterlogging. We must remember these likes and dislikes. For gardenia care, in summer it is recommended to grow them outdoors, or choose a well-ventilated indoor spot for care. For indoor care in winter, it is best to keep the temperature at 6-10°C, and it must not go below 0°C.
2. Gardenias and light
Gardenias like ample light. Especially in spring and autumn, they should receive more than 8 hours of sunlight per day, otherwise it is unfavorable for their growth and development and for overwintering. However, liking it does not mean doing whatever you want. In summer, avoid harsh midday sun exposure. Direct scorching sun will turn the leaves yellow, so place them in a spot with diffused light for care.
3. Gardenias' tastes
During the growing period, fertilizer needs to be supplemented reasonably. In early spring, supplement nitrogen fertilizer to promote plant growth. Starting in April, supplement phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote bud formation and flowering. After flowering, continue supplementing phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Just use the Huadongde floral organic nutrient solution combination type directly. Use the green bottle during the growing period, and switch to the red bottle during the flowering period.
4. Gardenias' "enemies"
Potted plants have a common "enemy", and that is insects. Gardenias generally have few pests and diseases. The more common ones include scale insects and the sooty mold caused by them. For scale insects, you can scrape them off with a bamboo stick or other sharp tool, or spray insecticide in the early stage when scale insects appear, during the larval stage, to nip them in the bud.
Once you understand the things above, keep them in mind during routine care. Just like dating, only with careful tending can gardenias bloom in a full pot, with pure white flowers and rich fragrance.