How to grow dwarf gardenia? Detailed growing methods
Dwarf gardenia, also known as Quishe gardenia, small-flowered gardenia, Quishe flower, etc., is an evergreen shrub plant of the genus Gardenia in the family Rubiaceae. It is cultivated in most parts of China and has very high ornamental value. It can be planted in patches or arranged at forest edges, in front of courtyards, in courtyard corners, and beside roads, and can also be used for balcony greening, potted flowers, cut flowers, or bonsai. Now let us take a look at the growing methods for dwarf gardenia!
Growth habits of dwarf gardenia
Dwarf gardenia is a typical acid-loving flower. It prefers a warm and humid climate, is not cold-tolerant, likes sunlight but cannot withstand intense direct sunlight, and is suitable for growing in loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly clayey acidic soil. In Northeast China, North China, and Northwest China, it can only be grown as a potted flower in a greenhouse. It is resistant to sulfur dioxide and can absorb sulfur to purify the air.
Propagation methods for dwarf gardenia
1. Sowing: Dwarf gardenia is mainly propagated by seeds, mostly in spring, but the seeds germinate slowly, sprouting about 1 year after sowing and flowering after 3 to 4 years. In the north, potted plants seldom produce seeds.
2. Cuttings: In the north, cuttings can be taken in a greenhouse from October to November; in the south, cuttings can be taken anytime from April to the Beginning of Autumn, but the survival rate is highest between summer and autumn. Select healthy 2-year-old branches as cuttings. When the rooted seedlings begin to grow, transplant them or pot them individually, and they can flower after 2 years.
3. Layering: In April, select vigorous branches from 3-year-old mother plants for layering. If there is a three-forked branch, layering can be done at the fork, yielding three seedlings at once. Generally, roots form after 20 to 30 days, and they can be separated from the mother plant in June, then divided and planted or potted individually the following spring.
Growing methods for dwarf gardenia
1. Soil: Dwarf gardenia should be given acidic potting soil, with a suitable pH of 5 to 6. The growing medium can be leaf mold, peat soil, or composted sawdust plus half garden soil. Do not use old wall soil or coal cinder.
2. Watering: Water dwarf gardenia whenever the surface of the potting soil becomes dry. In the evening, a spray bottle can be used to sprinkle water on the leaves. For plants that grow too vigorously with longer internodes, do not water in the evening; water again after the sun comes out in the morning.
3. Fertilizing: Add 3% decomposed cake fertilizer to the growing medium as a base fertilizer. During the growing season, water once a week with alum fertilizer water made by composting cake fertilizer with ferrous sulfate. At the bud stage, water 1 to 2 times with a 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate aqueous solution. Stop fertilizing in summer when the temperature is above 35°C and in autumn when it is below 15°C.
4. Light: Dwarf gardenia likes sunlight but cannot withstand intense direct sunlight. It can also grow in semi-shade for a long time, but it needs to maintain 60% of full-day light to meet its growth needs.
5. Repotting: For household potted dwarf gardenia, repot when the crown width reaches about 28 cm. If repotting, plant it into the new pot together with the soil ball. It is usually better to change the soil in March in spring.
6. Pruning: For dwarf gardenia, select and keep three main branches according to the tree shape, and promptly cut off other branches sprouting from root suckers. Remember not to shorten the branch tips in spring, otherwise it will not flower that year.
7. Overwintering: In the severe winter in the north, the root system of dwarf gardenia will be damaged and recover only in spring. Therefore, wrap the flowerpot well with insulation materials such as foam plastic to protect the root system, and place it in a wind-sheltered, sunny spot for winter.