Jasmine gardenia according to Feng Shui care. Instructions for gardeners: how to choose soil for gardenia, fertilizer and pot. Why doesn't gardenia bloom?

The habitat of the flowering evergreen gardenia shrub is the tropics and subtropics of China, Asia and Africa. Gardenia jasmine requires special care at home. The slightest mistake leads to the shedding of leaves, fading and even death of the flower. On a windowsill, a plant can live from one to seven years, depending on compliance with agricultural practices.

How can I recognize you, gardenia jasmine?

At home, an adult bush can grow from 50 to 180 cm in height. It has strong woody shoots with shiny leaves and large fragrant flowers. Gardenia blooms in nature twice a year. Large-flowered forms with a long flowering period have been developed in culture.

However, growing and waiting for the capricious beauty to bloom is not easy. It is difficult to create the desired microclimate and maintain it unchanged at home. Gardenia jasmine responds to the slightest deviation in care by changing the color of the leaves, freezing, dropping flowers and cover.

Even prolonged bad weather can spoil the mood of a tropical guest. Lack of light causes the plant to freeze. It is important to provide lighting for your sissy to relieve stress. Moreover, now there are special additional illumination lamps. The plant cannot tolerate:

  • prolonged exposure to direct midday sunlight;
  • dry air;
  • improper watering and nutrition;
  • uncomfortable temperature.

Flowering occurs at the tips of the shoots and axillary, closer to the light. Therefore, annual pruning of lignified branches allows you to make the bush decorative and provides planting material for propagation - cuttings.

In the caring hands of a skilled housewife, jasmine gardenia, photo, will delight you with its radiant appearance and exquisite aroma of flowers. The aroma is strong and there is no place for a flower in the bedroom.

When caring for a plant, you need to know that all parts of the flower are poisonous and you should work with protective gloves.

How to care for gardenia jasmine

Caring for a plant consists of creating a comfortable environment for it. In a residential environment, the required microclimate is achieved to a limited extent by constant care of the flower. In this case you need to create:

  • proper lighting;
  • temperature conditions;
  • watering and microclimate;
  • substrate and nutrition;
  • transplantation

The main condition is the absence of sudden climatic changes, to which gardenia jasmine reacts painfully.

A place with good diffused light is chosen for a long time. Not only can the flower be rearranged, it cannot be rotated, otherwise it will drop its buds. Therefore, a south-west and south window on hot days with shading will be just right. The flower favors open balconies and loggias, and even the terrace in front of the house. In winter, gardenia needs lighting with a fluorescent or LED lamp; an incandescent lamp heats the air.

Gardenia jasminoides require strict care when maintaining the temperature regime. In summer, the plant blooms at temperatures no higher than 22-240 C. A plant exposed to fresh air is brought into the room before flowering and the desired temperature is created. In winter, buds form on the shoots. At a temperature of 16-18 there will be a lot of them. And if the temperature is higher, twigs will begin to grow to the detriment of the formation of fruit buds.

Subtropical plants need moist air. When caring for gardenia jasmine at home, this is achieved by spraying the leaves, but the buds and flowers must remain dry. An evaporator, an aquarium nearby, or a tray with a damp substrate and stones on which the pot is placed will save the situation.

Special requirements for water for irrigation. Hard water, which causes scale on the kettle, is unsuitable. Only soft, settled, river or rain water can be used to moisten a clod of earth. In summer, the flower is watered often. If the drainage allows excess moisture to pass through, there should be no stagnation. In winter, watering is carried out moderately, but without drying out the coma.

The composition of the soil determines its moisture capacity and nutrition of the root system. Therefore, after purchasing a plant, and every time the land is depleted, gardenia jasmine needs to be replanted. The substrate is prepared acidic, based on heather or peat-coniferous soil.

You can take ready-made soil for azaleas, or you can mix it in equal parts:

  • high red peat;
  • land from coniferous forest;
  • deciduous soil;
  • coarse sand;
  • turf land.

Drainage is made from expanded clay, which must first be boiled to remove salts from the pores. The soil should be acidified and a little natural lemon juice should be added to the irrigation water 2 times a month.

Chelated iron salts are used as flower feed, since the plant needs this element more. All fertilizing excludes calcium and magnesium, as they will make the soil unsuitable and the plant will have to be replanted. During the growing season, gardenia jasmine needs phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Nitrogen is necessary for the growth of green mass. But everything is good in moderation. Excess salts that are not absorbed by the plant poison the soil.

Gradually, the root system grows, the soil becomes poor, the drainage pores become silted, and the gardenia jasmine requires replanting.

Any replanting of the plant during the growing season will lead to the dropping of buds. Therefore, even a purchased flower is replanted at a time when buds and flowers have not yet appeared. But if you need to save the jasmine gardenia, then you will have to sacrifice flowering.

The plant is replanted after autumn flowering, that is, in late autumn and before early February. For small bushes, the transshipment method is used. It is not necessary to transship it every year, the main thing is that the lump is completely enveloped in roots and retains its shape.

Large bushes are freed from the clod of old earth, shaking it off. The roots are trimmed, treated with activated carbon, a root formation stimulator, and placed in the same container after replacing the substrate. You need to install the pot in a permanent place.

Gardenia jasmine, leaves turn black and fall off

The signal to take a closer look at the plant will be the leaves turning black and dropping. The reason may be poor functioning of the root system, which does not provide the bush with nutrition.

If the lower leaves turn black, you need to check:

  • whether the soil in the pot has compacted and become airtight;
  • whether the drainage holes are clogged, creating stagnation of water;
  • Excess fertilizer can give the same reaction.

If the top of the head turns black, you need to look for pests. Perhaps a bacterial or viral disease has appeared on the plant and the supply of nutrients to the upper part is disrupted. If the leaves fall off, this may be caused by any deviations in caring for gardenia jasmine at home.

The appearance of fungal diseases is accompanied by spots, plaque and death of leaves. The fight consists of treating with fungicides. The best way is to pick out diseased plants and burn them, and process the plant, including the roots, and replant it in fresh soil or other container.

Gardenia jasmine leaves turn yellow

An indicator of the health of a houseplant is the condition of the leaves. If gardenia leaves turn yellow, you need to urgently look for the cause:

  1. Yellowing of the lower tier of leaves indicates whether the humidity balance is off or the plant is in a draft. It is necessary to reduce watering and remove the tray with pebbles.
  2. Yellowness of the upper leaves indicates a lack of nitrogen or its poor absorption. This is also a sign of watering with hard water, as a result of which the acidity of the soil is disturbed.
  3. When there is insufficient light, gardenia jasmine turns yellow and sheds its buds and leaves. The plant lacks iron in chelated form or nitrogen. You just need to restore the balance gradually, otherwise the effect will be the opposite.

The cause of yellowing may be the colonization of leaves by spider mites. Any deviation in the content of gardenia leads to a stop in flowering and the dropping of buds.

Reproduction of gardenia jasmine at home

There are two methods of propagation - seed and vegetation. When propagating by seed, the main condition is the freshness of the seeds. You can get them yourself at home, waiting for them to ripen. Please remember that gardenia seeds are poisonous.

The cuttings are the upper parts of lignified shoots. They take root in a greenhouse, in a sand-peat mixture in the summer, when the bush is formed by removing part of the stems. Rooted plants are later transplanted into a prepared substrate, and after six months the young plant can bloom.

How to grow gardenia jasmine from seeds

Expanded clay or coarse sand with small pebbles is poured into a wide bowl with drainage holes. The soil for growing shkolka consists of equal parts of peat, sand and coniferous soil.

The seeds are soaked for a day in growth stimulants. To grow from seeds, gardenia jasmine is laid out on the surface of the substrate and sprinkled with a mixture half a centimeter thick on top. The soil is moistened from above with a spray bottle, covered and placed in a warm, bright place. The soil temperature should be a stable 25 degrees. The shelter is periodically removed and the soil is moistened. Sprouts will appear in a month.

When the plants get stronger and real leaves appear, they need to be planted in the smallest cups one at a time and covered until they take root. In the future, you will have to replant more than once until the bush blooms in two years.

It is more profitable to propagate gardenia jasmine by cuttings, since flowering occurs faster, after six months.

Video about caring for gardenia

Everything about this flower is mesmerizing: the smooth, shiny, rich green leaves and the amazing snow-white double flowers, as if made of wax. The stunning aroma of jasmine makes you remember summer. This tropical guest is a big sissy. Caring for gardenia jasmine at home is quite complicated. For successful growth and flowering, you need to fulfill many requirements that this capricious beauty makes.

Gardenia jasmine: growing features

The difficulties begin after the purchase. Unlike many other indoor plants, store-bought gardenias will immediately require a new pot and specially selected soil.

Replanting after purchase

The peat soils in which this flower grows in the store are not suitable for it. Often the plant entwines its roots around the entire earthen lump and does not have the opportunity to fully develop - the pot in which it grows is very small. Therefore, replanting is the first thing you need to do after purchasing a gardenia. But first, you should give the tropical sissy a warm shower. After the few days necessary for the flower to adapt, you can begin replanting it.

Soil requirements

This plant has a lot of them.

  • The earth must be acidic. You can purchase special soil intended for acidophilic plants: azaleas, rhododendrons.
  • The soil should dry quickly and at the same time retain moisture well. For looseness, sand, perlite, processed and crushed sphagnum moss, which is capable of acidifying the soil, are used.
  • The soil must contain enough nutrients.

If you can’t buy ready-made soil, you can prepare it yourself.

The following mixture is suitable, all components of which are taken in equal parts:

  • turf land;
  • soil from under coniferous trees;
  • high peat;
  • leaf soil;
  • sand.

When the soil mixture is prepared, we begin replanting.

  • We prepare the growth stimulator solution according to the instructions, but dilute it only in warm, soft water.
  • An hour before transplanting, water the gardenia with warm, soft water. Carefully remove the plant from the pot without damaging the roots.
  • If rot is detected on them, remove all diseased roots and soak the earthen lump for 20 minutes in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate. After this, we place the root system in a solution of a root formation stimulator. You can simply powder the roots of the plant with dry powder.
  • While it is soaking, we prepare the pot for planting. It should be slightly larger than the one in which the gardenia was brought from the store. Ideally, there should be about 1.5 cm between the walls of the pot and the earthen lump. We lay a drainage layer of expanded clay or small stones on the bottom, place a layer of sand on top, and a little soil mixture on it.
  • We remove the plant from the root-forming solution and, if there are several of them in one pot, carefully separate them. Each bush needs a separate pot.
  • Place the azalea in the center of the pot and sprinkle it with soil, compacting it a little.
  • Water with the remaining solution.

Nuances

All soil components, as well as drainage elements, must be steamed. When replanting, make sure that the roots of the azalea do not come into contact with the drainage layer. The plant should be located strictly in the center of the pot, the distance from its roots to the walls should be the same. After planting, the plant should be sprayed with epin to reduce stress. The transplanted gardenia is placed in a warm place with diffused light for several days. When she comes to her senses after the transplant, they choose a permanent place for her to live.

Gardenia cannot be replanted in a blooming state - it will drop its flowers, so you will have to wait for the end of flowering.

Gardenia jasmine: care

The indoor plant gardenia jasmine requires close attention. At the slightest violation of the conditions of detention, it can shed not only flowers, but also leaves. Everything is important: temperature, air humidity, timely and correct watering and fertilizing, lighting.

Temperature, humidity and lighting

These are the three most important components for the health of the plant and its abundant flowering.

  • Constancy of temperature is very important for this flower; in summer we maintain it within 21-24 degrees during the day and 15-18 degrees at night. In winter, it must be reduced to 16 degrees. At lower temperatures and in conditions of lack of light, the plant will be less depleted. With higher winter temperatures, gardenias will begin to grow new shoots and will bloom less. Drafts where gardenia is kept are unacceptable - this creates stress for the plant.
  • This capricious plant grows well in bright light. But the bright sun in summer is harmful to her. The flower will be most comfortable on window sills with a western or southwestern orientation. In winter, the tropical sissy should be illuminated to the maximum.

You need to choose a permanent place for the flower. Not only should it not be rearranged, but the pot should not even be moved a little, especially when the gardenia is blooming.

Like all inhabitants of the tropics, gardenia loves air with high humidity, especially when flowering. You can moisten it by spraying, but unless water droplets get on the flowers, stains remain on them. Soft water at room temperature is suitable for spraying. You can place a vaporizer next to the plant or place it in a tray with wet pebbles. It’s good to give your sissy a warm shower, covering the soil in the pot with film so that it doesn’t get wet. You can wipe the leaves of the flower with a damp cloth.

Watering the plant

Proper watering will ensure long and lush flowering of gardenia. In summer, the soil in the pot should always be moist, so watering is carried out regularly. In winter, it is permissible to do this a little less often - once every 2-3 days. But in any season, the water should be soft, preferably boiled, and free of salts. The temperature of the irrigation water should be no lower than room temperature or slightly warmer. Every fifth watering, the water is acidified by adding 2-3 drops of lemon juice per liter of water. You can infuse water on high-moor peat. Water the bush only from above; you cannot water it through the tray. Excessive humidity harms indoor beauty - it provokes the development of root rot.

Feeding and fertilizer

Feeding gardenia has its own characteristics. The first feeding is carried out 1-2 months after transplantation. Plants brought from Holland are not fed during the entire first season, since their soil is well-filled with nutrients; overfeeding is harmful to this plant.

Root feeding is done with acidic complex fertilizers intended for azaleas, but their concentration is reduced by 2 times. Feed every ten days throughout the active growth season. Once a week, you can do foliar feeding with a weak solution of the same fertilizers. Mineral fertilizers are combined with organic - special liquid preparations for indoor flowers. In winter, the amount of fertilizing is reduced or stopped altogether if the plant does not bloom.

To prevent chlorosis, gardenia is fed with iron chelate a couple of times a season. You can spray the plants with it on the leaves. The problem of iron deficiency can be solved by burying a few rusty nails in the pot.

Rules for care after flowering

When the gardenia has faded, it’s the right time to prune and shape it. The branches are cut by half or 2/3 of the length. Remove dried or interfering shoots. Cut healthy branches can be used as cuttings for rooting.

Gardenia propagation

The easiest way to do this is with semi-lignified cuttings. They are kept for half an hour in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Then they are planted in a substrate made of a mixture of sand and peat and covered with a glass jar. It needs to be removed sometimes to ventilate the cuttings. The soil must be moist. Cuttings root well if you apply bottom soil heating. Rooted plants are planted in separate containers. When the shoot height is 15 cm, it is pinched for better tillering.

How to properly grow gardenia jasmine from seeds?

The seeds of this plant quickly lose their viability, so they need to be sown 2-3 days after collection. To increase germination, seeds are treated with zircon solution or aloe juice, soaking them for 3-4 hours.

Sow the seeds in moistened and pre-disinfected soil for azaleas, sprinkled with a 5 mm thick layer of soil. Place a plastic bag over the container with the seeds, or cover it with glass. The bag or glass is removed from time to time for ventilation. The soil is sprayed with a spray bottle. Shoots appear in a month. All this time the container is kept warm and dark. After germination, it is transferred to a windowsill with diffused light. Grown seedlings are planted and pinched. Growing gardenia jasmine from seeds is best done in the spring.

Pests and diseases and methods of combating them

The painful state of gardenia is often associated with errors in care. Sometimes it is caused by the appearance of pests.

Table: main diseases and pests of gardenia.

Flower buds fall Air humidity is below normal The buds fall off before they can open Increasing air humidity by spraying and placing the pot on a tray with wet pebbles
Spots on flowers Water getting on flowers due to careless spraying The appearance of brown spots on the petals Replacing spraying with other methods of air humidification
Yellowing of leaves Chlorosis due to iron deficiency The leaves turn yellow, but the veins remain green Feeding with iron chelate, watering with lime-free water
Blackening of leaves Sooty fungus caused by pests Black sooty film on leaves Destruction of pests, washing of plants
White woolly spots Mealybug The appearance of white spots on the underside of the sheet Application of insecticides, wiping leaves with alcohol
Pale yellow leaves Spider mite Punctures on the leaves are visible in the light, a thin cobweb is visible from the underside of the leaf Treatment with acaricide or acaroinsecticide
Leaf discoloration Shchitovka The appearance of brown scaly insects from the underside of the leaf Treating with insecticide or wiping leaves with alcohol

The main problems when growing a plant

Gardenia is very capricious and demanding that all care rules be followed. If they are disturbed, it will immediately react by dropping buds or changing the color of the leaves.

Leaves turn black and fall off

The leaves turn black and fall off if the plant's root system is not working well.

To eliminate this cause, you need to check the following:

  • does the soil have good air permeability, is it compacted;
  • are the drainage holes clogged - this can lead to stagnation of water and rotting and weakening of the root system;
  • Are the plants overfed - excess fertilizers inhibit the roots.

The black top is a signal of the appearance of pests that have infected the plant with viral or bacterial diseases.

Yellowing of leaves

If the lower tier has turned yellow, the cause may be excessive air humidity or a draft in the room. The upper tier turns yellow - the acidity of the soil is not normal, which makes it difficult to absorb nitrogen. If all the leaves turn yellow, the plant is infested with spider mites or lacks either nitrogen or iron. The balance must be restored gradually, otherwise you can harm the flower.

Despite all the vagaries, this charming inhabitant of the tropics can decorate every home. It’s simply impossible to take your eyes off the amazing flowers, and the amazing smell will create a special aura in your home.

Growing some indoor flowers requires a special approach and considerable experience. Gardenia jasminoides is a striking example confirming the validity of this statement. Scientists know it as Gardenia jasminoides, while flower growers affectionately call it the Japanese beauty. This plant makes you fall in love at first sight. Everything about it is beautiful: smooth and shiny leaves of a rich green color, large double flowers that fill the air with a pleasant but strong aroma, the splendor of the bush. But in order to admire its luxurious perfection on the windowsill, you will have to try to create ideal conditions for the gardenia.

Lighting

The capricious beauty prefers bright and at the same time diffuse lighting, needing it throughout the year. It is best to place the pot with it on a window that faces the west or east. Gardenia jasmine is also successfully grown on southern and southwestern windows, shading it during particularly hot hours (from 11 to 17).

A barrier to the scorching rays of the sun is created from improvised means:

  • paper;
  • tracing paper;
  • gauze;
  • light fabric.

You can purchase floral film or special curtains in the store. Growing a flower on northern windows will bring even more trouble. It will have to be artificially illuminated, otherwise it will quickly lose its decorative effect.

In warm weather, a pot of gardenia jasmine can be placed on the balcony or taken out into the garden.

If the site is located in the middle zone, you need to reliably protect the plant, which is harmful to some environmental factors:

  • direct sunlight;
  • precipitation;
  • drafts;
  • cold north wind.

In the southern regions, a shady place is chosen for a flower pot. If gardenia grows outside, it will require care in the form of spraying. It is carried out twice a day: early in the morning, while it is still cool, and late in the evening, when the sun has set.

Winter, with its short daylight hours, is a difficult period in the life of gardenia jasmine. LED or fluorescent lamps (LB, LBU) will help preserve its beauty. They are placed in the amount of 4 pieces per 1 m². It is not recommended to use incandescent lamps: they heat the air, disturbing the microclimate familiar to gardenia. The plant itself will tell you about the lack of light. Its symptoms are drying and falling of buds, stunted appearance of the flower.

Gardenia jasmine is sensitive to rearrangements and rotations of the pot, which entail changes in illumination. They are fraught with especially serious consequences during the period when the flower is gaining buds: it can shed them. Therefore, at home, it is better to immediately choose a permanent place for the plant.

Temperature and humidity

Gardenia jasmine will delight you with lush flowering if you strictly observe the temperature regime. In spring and summer, the air in the room with the plant should be heated to 22, maximum 24˚C. Gardenia taken out onto the balcony or into the garden is returned back to the room when it is about to bloom. But before this, the temperature in the room is brought to a comfortable level for her.

Gardenia jasminoides lays flower buds in the autumn-winter period. At this time, the optimal temperature for the plant is within 16-18˚C. In such conditions it forms more buds. An increase in temperature stimulates the growth of new shoots, and the gardenia will bloom worse.

The soil in the pot should not be overcooled. This may destroy the plant. To avoid unpleasant consequences, use insulated stands. They can be made from materials such as polystyrene foam, travel sponge, or a sponge rubber mat. They are placed under the pot if the windowsill is cold. It is correct if the soil at the roots of gardenia jasmine and the air in the room have the same temperature. Drafts are also dangerous for plants at home, so you need to open the windows for ventilation with caution.

Subtropical origin makes the flower sensitive to humidity levels. Frequent spraying helps to increase it. They are especially important for gardenias in the summer heat. They must be carried out carefully, treating only the leaves of the plant, which should be covered with very small drops, and without affecting the flowers and buds. It is quite difficult to achieve this result, so it is recommended not to point the spray bottle at the gardenia itself, but to spray water into the air around it.

There is also a safer option - place the flower pot near the evaporator or aquarium, or place it on a tray filled with a damp substrate.

The following can be used as a substrate:

  • small stones;
  • sand.

In this case, you need to make sure that the pot does not come into contact with water. Constant evaporation will keep the air around the plant moist enough without putting its roots at risk of getting wet.

Soil requirements and replanting

The composition of the soil is also important for gardenia jasmine. In order for the flower roots to better absorb nutrients, the soil should be slightly acidic. Of the ready-made substrates, those intended for growing azaleas are suitable for him.

If you prepare the soil for replanting gardenia yourself, mix the following components in equal proportions:

  • deciduous soil;
  • turf land;
  • soil from a coniferous forest;
  • high peat;
  • coarse sand.

Drainage must be placed at the bottom of the pot. It is better if it is boiled expanded clay. This treatment is necessary to cleanse its pores of salts.

As the soil becomes depleted, it needs to be renewed. Gardenia jasminoides need to be replanted every 2 years. If the flower is still very young, it can be moved to a new pot earlier - after a year. During the growing season, replanting the plant is contraindicated. Its result will be the release of buds. An exception is made only for those gardenias that urgently need to be saved.

The plant is replanted when flowering is complete - from late autumn to mid-winter. If it is young, it is transferred from one pot to another. With an older bush there will be more trouble. Having shaken off the old soil from its roots, they are shortened. The cut areas are treated with crushed activated carbon. Then the underground part of the plant is immersed in a root formation stimulator solution according to the instructions. To transplant an adult gardenia, you can use the same container, but the substrate in it must be changed.

Watering frequency

Gardenia jasmine grows well in slightly moist soil. The substrate should not dry out all year round. In summer, the flower needs constant humidity. In winter, watering is carried out less frequently. Before the next procedure, the soil should have time to dry slightly. Lack of moisture will affect flowering: gardenia will drop its buds. But you cannot overdo it with watering at home, regardless of the time of year - this will destroy the plant. Good drainage will protect the roots of the flower from stagnation of moisture. The tray must be emptied of excess liquid after watering is completed.

Water quality also matters. If it is hard, watering will lead to salinization of the soil in the pot. And when sprayed with it, the smooth leaves of the plant will lose their attractiveness, becoming covered with ugly spots. Moisten the gardenia jasmine with soft warm water, which is pre-settled. It is better if it is rain or river.

To maintain the acidity of the soil, the plant is watered twice a month with water to which a couple of drops of fresh lemon juice are added. You can infuse it with peat. It is wrapped in gauze and dipped into a container with liquid, periodically replacing the contents of the bag with fresh ones.

Feeding and pruning

The most important element for gardenia is iron. Therefore, the flower is fed with fertilizers containing its chelated salts. You can dilute them in water and spray the leaves of the plant with the resulting nutritional composition. They do this 1-2 times per season. Before use, you need to carefully study the composition of the drug. It should not contain calcium and magnesium. If these elements still get into the soil, you cannot do without replanting gardenia jasmine. It will not be able to fully develop in such soil.

In spring and summer, formulations with a high content of phosphorus and potassium are used for fertilizing. Nitrogen stimulates the growth of new shoots and leaves, but its excess will delay flowering and make it poor. They also approach the introduction of other elements with caution. Mineral salts that are unnecessary for the plant accumulate in the soil, poisoning it.

In order for gardenia jasmine to be lush and beautiful, it needs care in the form of pruning. They begin to form a bush while the plant is still young. The tops of its shoots are pinched. When the last buds on an adult gardenia wither, prune it. Only strong shoots are left on the bush, shortening their length by a third. Weak, poorly developed, improperly growing branches are removed.

You can give gardenia jasmine the shape of a tree. Its side shoots are removed without touching the top of the plant. When the flower reaches the desired height, it is pinched. Next, the remaining shoots are pruned, the purpose of which is to form a crown.

Features of reproduction

There are 2 ways to grow gardenia jasmine:

  1. from seeds;
  2. planting a cutting.

Generative propagation of a flower will be successful only if fresh seed is used. It can be collected at home from an adult plant or purchased in a store. For sowing, take a wide container with drainage holes in the bottom. Having filled it ⅓ with expanded clay, add soil made up of equal volumes of coniferous soil, peat and sand on top.

A mixture of coarse sand and small pebbles is also suitable for drainage.

A day before sowing, gardenia seeds are poured with a solution of a growth stimulator. Then they are laid out on the surface of the soil mixture, covering the top with a thin (0.3-0.5 cm) layer of soil, lightly pressing it down. The crops are moistened with warm water using a spray bottle so as not to wash them away. The planting container is covered with film and kept warm and in the light. Growing a flower from seeds requires observing the temperature regime. Shoots appear only in soil heated to 25°C. It takes about a month for them to peck. Periodically, the film is removed for ventilation, moistening the soil as necessary.

With the appearance of true leaves, the strengthened seedlings dive into separate shallow cups. They are placed in a dark place or covered until the young gardenias take root. They will produce their first buds only after 2 years. Before that, they will have to undergo several more transplants.

Flower growers prefer to propagate the plant vegetatively. If you root a cutting of gardenia jasminoides, caring for it will take less effort, and it will enter the flowering phase much faster - after just 6 months. Lignified shoots are used as propagation material, cutting off their upper part. This is usually done in the summer, during the formation of the bush. The cutting is placed in a moist substrate of sand and peat and a mini-greenhouse is built around it. When it takes root, it will need to be transplanted into a soil mixture that is optimally suitable for the plant.

The cutting will take root faster if before planting it is treated with a solution of a drug that stimulates root growth.

Leaf fall

Gardenia jasmine is not a patient plant. She will not adapt to unfavorable conditions for her, immediately signaling trouble with external changes. If the leaves on her bush turn black and fall off, this is a reason to check the condition of the soil in the pot. Such symptoms occur when the root system does not work properly, which is why the flower does not receive enough nutrition.

The following factors can cause blackening of the lower leaves:

  • compaction of the soil in the pot, due to which air cannot penetrate to the roots of the plant;
  • blockage of drainage holes, leading to stagnation of moisture;
  • excess nutrients in the soil.

If the crown of the gardenia jasmine has changed color, the reason may be due to pests. These symptoms also manifest themselves in some diseases of a bacterial and viral nature.

With fungal infections, the leaves of the flower become covered with spots and plaque and die. Saving the plant will not be easy. It will have to be treated with fungicides. Diseased leaves and shoots are removed and burned, after which they are sprayed. The roots are also treated. The next step is to transplant the gardenia jasmine into a fresh substrate. It is advisable to use a new container.

Gardeners are no less worried if a plant sheds its leaves. This shows that it is being cared for incorrectly. Here you will have to check whether each of the gardenia’s requirements for living conditions is satisfied.

Yellowing of the plant

There may be several reasons why the leaves of a flower turn yellow. To understand the nature of the problem, you need to carefully examine the plant.

The lower leaves turn yellow Overwatering Reduce watering, remove wet pebbles from the tray
Draft Provide the plant with protection from drafts
The upper leaves turn yellow and become smaller Lack of nitrogen, impaired absorption of this element Feed gardenia with nitrogen-containing fertilizers
Violation of soil acidity due to watering with hard water Water the flower with acidified water
Replant the plant
Leaves turn yellow, buds fall off Bad light Move the gardenia pot to another window. In winter, add artificial light
Iron deficiency Apply fertilizers containing iron in chelated form
Severe yellowing of leaves Soil too acidic Water the flower with a weak concentration of ferric sulfate solution
Individual leaves turn yellow and fall off Spider mite infestation Treat the plant against pests

If there is a lack of iron and nitrogen, their levels are restored gradually. Otherwise, the bush will suffer even more.

Gardenia jasminoides also turn yellow if not properly cared for. The following factors lead to changes in leaf color:

  • sudden changes in temperature;
  • planting a plant in unsuitable soil;
  • exposure to direct sunlight.

The impact of any of these factors will be the answer to the question of why the plant does not bloom.

No matter how whimsical gardenia jasmine is, lovers of indoor plants forgive it everything, even its toxicity. For the sake of the lush beauty of its flowering bushes, they are ready to take risks and try to grow it again and again. If you provide gardenia with proper care, placing it in the most comfortable conditions and without changing the microclimate, it will bloom new buds almost continuously. Agree, the rich colors on the windowsill, combined with the enchanting aroma that fills the room almost all year round, are worth the effort.

If you are a lover of beautiful and long-blooming indoor plants, the flowers of which exude a magical aroma, we recommend purchasing Gardenia Jasminoides (Jasmine). This flower captivates with its snow-white, waxy, double flowers, the aroma of which, during long flowering, fills the space around itself with the wonderful scent of jasmine. It is believed that Gardenia Jasmine symbolizes femininity, grace and beauty. Caring for Gardenia Jasmine at home is fraught with some difficulties, but rest assured, our article will help even novice gardeners overcome them all!

Some facts from the history of the flower

The Song Dynasty, which lived about a thousand years ago, was the first to tell the world about the wonderful flowers of Gardenia. Pots with these flowering plants decorated the chambers of the emperors of China. The court gardeners did not allow the bushes to grow and formed the bushes in the form of bonsai (spectacular miniature trees with a fancy crown) and ensured that they bloomed abundantly and luxuriously.

An unusual flower, with snow-white fragrant flowers, its smell reminiscent of blooming jasmine, was first described by the American botanist Alexander Garden in the 13th century. This plant was later named after him.

In Europe, Gardenia Jasmine appeared in the mid-18th century, where they also began to shape its crown using pruning. There she competed in beauty and fragrance with the most luxurious roses and peonies.

Description of the flower

Gardenia Jasminoides (Gardenia Jasminoides) has synonyms - Gardenia Augusta, Cape jasmine. This is an evergreen plant from the Mirenaceae family. It is native to the tropical forests of India, China and southern Africa. There it grows, most often in the form of shrubs, but there are trees up to two meters in height. Indoor specimens usually grow up to 60–80 cm. The shoots are smooth, bare, highly branched, and woody. Dark green leathery leaves, up to 8 cm long, grow in pairs on short petioles. In shape they are broadly lanceolate or reverse ovoid, glossy, narrowed towards the base. Gardenia jasmine blooms in nature twice a year.

The benefits of indoor Gardenia

The beautiful shape of the Gardenia flower with originally arranged glossy petals is reflected in needlework. Craftswomen create with their own hands unique kanzashi in the form of Jasmine Gardenia flowers to decorate brooches, hairpins, hairbands, as well as gifts from polymer clay.

The scent of Gardenia Jasmine is used by famous perfume brands, such as: Nina Ricci Premier jour, Dior Addict Shine, Chanel Gardenia, Dior Miss Dior, Estee Lauder Intuition, Agent Provocateur, Guerlain Cruel Gardenia.

In addition to its spectacular appearance and unique aroma, Gardenia is valued for its healing properties. For example, the roots and fruits of this plant are used to prepare medicinal decoctions for the treatment of tonsillitis, stomatitis, and jaundice. They are used to make antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and hemostatic agents.

Folk recipes from the fruits of Gardenia Jasminoides

Treatment of herpes, sore throat, stomatitis: 1 tbsp. l. Place the chopped Gardenia fruits in a small saucepan and pour 500 ml of boiling water into it. Place on low heat, covered, for 10 minutes. Let the broth brew for an hour, then cool and strain the contents through two layers of gauze.

  • For herpes - apply lotions with a cotton swab dipped in the broth to the herpes-affected areas two to three times a day.
  • For sore throat or stomatitis, gargle with Gardenia decoction 3 times a day.

For wounds and bruises Prepare the following anti-inflammatory and therapeutic agent:

Grind 50 gr. fresh Gardenia fruits to a paste. Place this paste in 2 layers of gauze and apply to a wound or injured area of ​​skin for one to two minutes several times a day.

It is important to know that the plant contains a small amount of toxic substances. Infusions and decoctions can only be used externally, in the form of lotions, rubbing, and rinsing. When working with any parts of the plant, wear gloves and wash your hands with soap after work. Keep medicines and flower pots away from children and pets.

Types and varieties of Gardenia Jasmine

We invite you to get acquainted with the most popular varieties of Gardenia Jasmine, which are grown at home:

Radican Variegata or Radicans is a dwarf variety suitable for bonsai formation

Beauty (August Beauty) - a profusely blooming variety of Gardenia with large double flowers

Gardenia Chuck hayes blooms with fragrant semi-double ivory flowers. Well adapted to the garden

Gardenia Fortune has large white and cream double flowers.

Gardenia Tahitiana has an interesting, propeller-like petal shape.

Kula blooms with golden flowers

Veitchii is a plant with dark green, glossy leaves and white, double, fragrant flowers. Blooms in winter, December inclusive. A very popular variety, highly valued by gardeners.

Fortuniana – Fortuna (Gardenia jasminoides var. Fortuniana) – with large camellia-shaped flowers with a double flower diameter up to 10 cm.

Other popular Gardenia varieties:

First love– with large, up to 13 cm, double whitish-cream fragrant flowers. Flowering occurs in early spring and lasts all summer. It can bloom twice a year.

Claims Hardy– small in size, with white waxy flowers that bloom during spring and summer.

White Gem- a compact bush with small dark green, oval leaves. The flowers are star-shaped, five-petaled.

Four Seasons– with comfortable maintenance it can bloom all year round. Double flowers. The leaves are oblong, pointed.

Mystery- large flowers. Long flowering period.

Caring for Gardenia Jasmine

And now the time has come to learn how to care for Gardenia. When deciding to decorate your life with an amazing, but rather capricious flower called Gardenia Jasmine, try to adhere to the rules of caring for it at home.

Pot location

Gardenia is a very demanding flower in terms of location and lighting. Choose a place for it on window sills (or flower stands near them) facing east or west. Choose windows in front of which there are no trees with a dense crown - the flower loves good lighting.

You can grow Gardenia on a southern windowsill, but you will have to protect it from direct sunlight on its leaves and flowers at midday. Use blinds or a light curtain. The sun shining through the glass will certainly harm the plant, its leaves will get burned and fall off.

Try to keep her in the light for at least 12 hours a day. In winter, when natural light is clearly not enough, illuminate the flower with fluorescent lamps or phytolamps LB or LBU.

During the period of budding and flowering, do not move the pot from place to place, do not turn it in different directions towards the light - the flower does not like this. This is stress for the plant, which will lead to the shedding of buds and flowers.

When choosing a place for a flower, remember that a blooming Gardenia Jasmine exudes a pleasant, but very strong aroma - it is better not to place it in the bedroom.

Temperature

The very heat-loving Gardenia does not like low temperatures and sudden temperature changes during the day. In spring and early summer, it is advisable to maintain a constant air temperature within 22 - 24 degrees. in the afternoon and 18 - 20 degrees. at night. During bud formation and flowering, a temperature of about 20 degrees is considered optimal. In winter, the temperature is reduced to 17 - 20 degrees. during the day and not lower than 16 degrees. at night. At this time, buds are forming on the shoots. If the temperature is higher, twigs will begin to grow to the detriment of the formation of flower buds.

The critical temperature for Gardenia is 12 degrees. heat.

The soil should also not be cooled too much, so as not to harm the plant’s root system. A flower in cold soil may refuse to form buds.

Air conditioners and split systems help maintain the desired temperature in the room. Just make sure that air currents do not hit the plant. Drafts will provoke the flower to drop buds and flowers and not only that – already formed flower buds may fall off.

The fall of buds and flowers is also possible due to dry and musty air in the room - ventilation is necessary. But, do not forget to cover the pot from drafts.

Humidity

Gardenia should be regularly sprayed on the leaves using a fine spray bottle. Until the buds open - every day. During flowering, stop spraying the flower.

To increase indoor humidity, spray the air around the flower. In hot weather, you can spray several times a day. Having a container of water nearby will also help. Place the flower pot in a tray on damp pebbles or expanded clay so that the roots do not touch the water.

Wipe Gardenia leaves with a damp cloth. By removing dust, you help the leaves breathe better and absorb oxygen from the air. The processes of air exchange and photosynthesis will proceed better in them.

A warm shower has a beneficial effect on the condition of the flower. Just don’t get the stream on the flowers themselves and cover the substrate with a bag so that water doesn’t get into it.

All these procedures will make the humidity in the room more comfortable and give Gardenia a neat and healthy appearance.

Watering

Watering Gardenia Jasmine depends on the time of year and the condition of the plant. In spring and summer, before and during flowering, the substrate should always be slightly moist. Carry out the next watering when the upper part of the substrate in the pot has dried. In winter, plant growth slows down and requires minimal watering. If you overwater it a little or forget to empty the pan, you risk losing the plant due to root rot.

Water for irrigation should be left standing for 24 hours or boiled at room temperature. Filtered and rainwater can also be used.

Since Gardenia prefers acidified soils, when watering occasionally, once every 2 weeks, you should add 2-3 drops of lemon juice per liter of water to the water. If there is no lemon, add a couple of grains of dry citric acid per 1 liter. warm water.

Top dressing

Gardenia requires regular feeding in spring and summer. If you planted or transplanted a plant into new soil this year, start feeding it no earlier than a couple of months after that. Use special liquid fertilizer for flowering azaleas. You can alternate root feedings with foliar feedings, adding the same fertilizers to the spraying solution. Twice a month in spring and summer is enough. In winter, do not fertilize. To prevent the disease chlorosis, feed Gardenia with iron chelate a couple of times a season or spray the leaves of the flower with it. The problem of iron deficiency is sometimes solved by burying several rusty nails in the substrate.

Soil for Gardenia

Gardenia loves acidified soil. In the store you can buy special soil for such plants - acidophiles. The soil is suitable for azaleas and rhododendrons. If you use universal soil for blooming indoor flowers, then it is advisable to add compost from oak leaves or manure and a little sphagnum moss. If you do not have such additives, then during watering, acidify the water with lemon juice (2 drops per liter of water) or citric acid (see watering a flower).

If you decide to prepare the substrate yourself, mix equal parts of turf, leaf, coniferous soil, sand and high-moor peat. Add some crushed sphagnum moss there. To exclude fungal and other infections, steam all parts of the substrate. To maintain a suitable acidity level (pH 4.5 - 5.5), water the substrate once a week with water infused with peat or with the addition of two or three drops of lemon juice and half a gram of copper sulfate per liter of water.

Transplanting Gardenia Jasmine and choosing a pot

Use the transshipment method for this. Carefully remove the gardenia along with the lump of earth from the transport pot and place it in a new, slightly larger pot, which should already have a layer of drainage, a layer of coarse river sand with pieces of charcoal and a layer of new soil. The optimal size is a pot that is a couple of centimeters larger than the size of the plant’s root system. All that remains is to fill the free space in the new pot with fresh substrate. Pour in warm, settled water. If necessary, add more substrate. Give the flower time to get used to the new pot for at least a week. Now take it to the prepared place of residence.

Everything described above is suitable for a store-bought plant without buds. If you bought a Gardenia during flowering, do not rush to replant it immediately, because after transplantation it will drop all buds and flowers. Let it bloom in a shipping pot, you will get great pleasure from it. And after flowering, you will transfer the plant to a new pot with a substrate suitable for Gardenia.

Young plants are replanted every year in the spring, since in the first years of life the root system of the flower grows intensively. Adult plants are replanted every three to four years, depending on how quickly their roots develop. The planned transplant is done in March. To reduce root damage, use the method of transferring the plant to a new pot.

During flowering, it is better not to replant Gardenia, but if an urgent need arises, for example, the flower is clearly sick, you will have to sacrifice flowering and replant the plant so as not to lose it. Remove the bush from the pot, clean the roots from the substrate, and inspect them. If you find rot, remove all diseased and damaged areas of roots and shoots. Place the root system in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes.

It is advisable to then place the Gardenia root system in a biostimulator solution in accordance with the instructions or simply powder the roots with this powder. Then place the plant in the center of the new pot and cover the roots with fresh potting soil. We wrote above about the layers of drainage, sand and coal at the bottom of the pot. The root system of the plant must not come into contact with the drainage layer.

Large mature bushes are freed from the clod of old earth, shaking it off. The roots are trimmed, treated with activated carbon, a root formation stimulator and placed in the same pot after replacing the substrate. Don't forget to put the flower pot in its permanent place.

Pruning Gardenia

During the growing season, pinch the tops of young branches - this stimulates Gardenia to lay down new side shoots and flower buds. Remove diseased and weak leaf cuttings as soon as you find them. Also remove faded flowers so that the flower does not waste energy on ripening the seeds. After flowering has finished, do the final pruning of your Gardenia. Remove all weak, dry or simply unnecessary shoots that interfere with the decorative appearance of the crown. (Healthy pruned branches can be used to propagate the flower). Trim the remaining shoots to about 2/3 of their length. In addition to giving the shrub the necessary shape, pruning will contribute to more luxuriant flowering of Gardenia next year.

Blooming Gardenia Jasmine

At home, flowering usually occurs in the summer for several months (from July to October). Although, some varieties bloom at different times of the year, even in winter. The size of a double flower reaches 7 - 10 cm in diameter. Flowers can be single or collected in few-flowered corymbose inflorescences of 3 - 6 pieces. on the tips of shoots or in the axils of leaves. Their color is white or yellowish-cream towards the end of flowering. The ripe fruit of the plant is cylindrical and resembles a pear. The aroma of blooming Gardenia jasmine is extremely pleasant. It can easily compete with the scent of rose.

Provided it is well maintained, the bush can live in your apartment for quite a long time, 7–10 years, and reach one and a half meters in height. The older the plant, the more abundant and colorful its flowering.

Gardenia propagation methods

Cuttings

This is the easiest way to propagate Gardenia. After flowering, cut off the required number of apical cuttings, about 10 cm long. It will be better if they have a lignified tip - a heel. Leave 3–4 leaves on the cuttings, cut off the rest. Treat the cut with crushed activated carbon and a root formation stimulator (Kornevin, Heteroauxin, Zircon).

You can place the cuttings in glasses of water and change it every 2-3 days until roots form. But we recommend planting the cuttings immediately in a moist substrate consisting of coniferous soil, peat and sand, in a container with a lid. Maintain the temperature around 25 degrees. If necessary, ventilate and water the greenhouse. After a month, when roots form, transplant the young bushes into their own small pots. When their height is 15 - 18 cm, pinch the tops of them to form side shoots. If you take good care of your new pets, they will delight you with their blooms within six months.

Dividing an adult bush into parts

If during transplantation several independent shoots are found in the pot, they are carefully separated and planted in separate pots. Make sure that the plants are planted strictly in the center of the pot so that their roots do not come into contact with the drainage layer (a layer of sand and soil is necessary). For better rooting, create greenhouse conditions - cover the bushes with polyethylene, spray them with Epin to reduce stress. At a temperature of about 24 degrees. in a bright place, away from sunlight and drafts, let the new Gardenia specimens spend about a month. Then you can put them in their place on the windowsill.

Propagation by seeds

Growing Gardenia from seeds is a more labor-intensive method and is used less frequently. Self-produced seeds have a short germination period. They need to be sown no later than two to three days after harvest. It is better to do this in the spring.

To improve germination, Gardenia seeds should be treated with zircon solution or aloe juice, soaking them for 3 to 4 hours. We recommend germinating seeds in containers with a lid to create a greenhouse effect. Fill the container with moist, acidified substrate. You can use ready-made soil for azaleas or rhododendrons for this, or you can plant the seeds in a mixture of peat and sand. Place the seeds 5 mm deep into the substrate, sprinkle the surface of the substrate with warm, settled water with the addition of a couple of drops of lemon juice. Close the container lid.

Germinate at a temperature of 24 - 25 degrees. in the shadow. If necessary, ventilate the container and moisten the soil with a spray bottle. The first shoots will appear in a month. Now you can move the container to a windowsill with diffused light. Maintain the same temperature. The germination rate of Gardenia seeds is not high - 50% at best. After the true leaves appear, transplant the bushes into separate small pots, 8–10 cm in diameter. When they reach a height of 15 cm, you will begin to form their crowns by pinching the top. Such young Gardenias will bloom no earlier than in a year or two.

Gardenia diseases and their treatment

All diseases of indoor flowers arise from improper care of them. Gardenia, like no other flower, needs careful and careful care, otherwise disaster cannot be avoided.

Why doesn't gardenia bloom?

  • Excessive soil moisture may cause unopened buds to fall off.
  • The same effect will occur with a lack of humidity in the room, poor lighting and dry soil.
  • If the temperature of the flower is too different from the comfortable one (18 - 24 degrees), in one direction or another, flowering will not occur.
  • Stressful situations, such as sudden changes in temperature and light, drafts and short daylight hours, lead to the plant dropping buds and flowers.
  • Moving the pot from one place to another during bud formation and flowering will also lead to failure of flowering.
  • Soil with a neutral or alkaline reaction will result in your Gardenia not blooming. Only slightly acidic soil is suitable for it.

Why do Gardenia leaves turn black and fall off?

  • If water gets on the flowers during spraying, brown spots will appear on the petals.
  • Overmoistening of the soil at low temperatures leads to rotting of the root system. The leaves turn yellow, become covered with dark spots and fall off.
  • Watering and spraying with hard water will affect the condition and appearance of the leaves - they will lose their shine and elasticity.

Moderate shedding of leaves in mature plants is a natural process.

  • Heavy, highly compacted soil that does not allow oxygen to pass through can destroy the plant's root system.
  • Due to stagnation of water in the pan, due to the absence or clogging of drainage holes in the pot, rotting of the roots may occur.
  • Overfeeding with nitrogen fertilizers will also have a detrimental effect on the root system of Gardenia - excess fertilizers inhibit it.

Why do Gardenia leaves turn yellow?

  • Too humid air in the room and frequent drafts will lead to yellowing and falling of the lower tier of Gardenia leaves.
  • Soil that is not suitable for acidity for Gardenia, when it is difficult for it to absorb nitrogen, will lead to yellowing of the upper tier of leaves. This is also the reason why Gardenia leaves turn pale.
  • A lack of elements useful for plants, such as nitrogen and iron, in the soil will also lead to yellowing of the leaves.

Pests

More often than others, Gardenia is attacked by scale insects, mealybugs and, especially, spider mites. They attack the plant in a dry, hot room. The prevention of this disaster is constant spraying of the plant and the air around it. When insect pests appear, you will definitely see traces of their activity:

Conclusion

We hope that you are not afraid of the high demands of Gardenia Jasmine for your home maintenance and will purchase this capricious beauty to decorate your home. The energy of the flower is believed to evoke friendly feelings and help win love. It is often given as a gift. If you follow all the recommendations for caring for Gardenia Jasmine at home, it will delight you with lush flowering and the magical aroma of jasmine for many years.

Everything about this flower is mesmerizing: the smooth, shiny, rich green leaves and the amazing snow-white double flowers, as if made of wax. The stunning aroma of jasmine makes you remember summer. This tropical guest is a big sissy. Caring for gardenia jasmine at home is quite complicated. For successful growth and flowering, you need to fulfill many requirements that this capricious beauty makes.

The difficulties begin after the purchase. Unlike many other indoor plants, store-bought gardenias will immediately require a new pot and specially selected soil.

Replanting after purchase

The peat soils in which this flower grows in the store are not suitable for it. Often the plant entwines its roots around the entire earthen lump and does not have the opportunity to fully develop - the pot in which it grows is very small. Therefore, replanting is the first thing you need to do after purchasing a gardenia. But first, you should give the tropical sissy a warm shower. After the few days necessary for the flower to adapt, you can begin replanting it.

Soil requirements

This plant has a lot of them.

  • The earth must be acidic. You can purchase special soil intended for acidophilic plants: azaleas, rhododendrons.
  • The soil should dry quickly and at the same time retain moisture well. For looseness, sand, perlite, processed and crushed sphagnum moss, which is capable of acidifying the soil, are used.
  • The soil must contain enough nutrients.

If you can’t buy ready-made soil, you can prepare it yourself.

The following mixture is suitable, all components of which are taken in equal parts:

  • turf land;
  • soil from under coniferous trees;
  • high peat;
  • leaf soil;
  • sand.

When the soil mixture is prepared, we begin replanting.

  • We prepare the growth stimulator solution according to the instructions, but dilute it only in warm, soft water.
  • An hour before transplanting, water the gardenia with warm, soft water. Carefully remove the plant from the pot without damaging the roots.
  • If rot is detected on them, remove all diseased roots and soak the earthen lump for 20 minutes in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate. After this, we place the root system in a solution of a root formation stimulator. You can simply powder the roots of the plant with dry powder.
  • While it is soaking, we prepare the pot for planting. It should be slightly larger than the one in which the gardenia was brought from the store. Ideally, there should be about 1.5 cm between the walls of the pot and the earthen lump. We lay a drainage layer of expanded clay or small stones on the bottom, place a layer of sand on top, and a little soil mixture on it.
  • We remove the plant from the root-forming solution and, if there are several of them in one pot, carefully separate them. Each bush needs a separate pot.
  • Place the azalea in the center of the pot and sprinkle it with soil, compacting it a little.
  • Water with the remaining solution.

Nuances

All soil components, as well as drainage elements, must be steamed. When replanting, make sure that the roots of the azalea do not come into contact with the drainage layer. The plant should be located strictly in the center of the pot, the distance from its roots to the walls should be the same. After planting, the plant should be sprayed with epin to reduce stress. The transplanted gardenia is placed in a warm place with diffused light for several days. When she comes to her senses after the transplant, they choose a permanent place for her to live.

Gardenia cannot be replanted in a blooming state - it will drop its flowers, so you will have to wait for the end of flowering.

Gardenia jasmine: care

The indoor plant gardenia jasmine requires close attention. At the slightest violation of the conditions of detention, it can shed not only flowers, but also leaves. Everything is important: temperature, air humidity, timely and correct watering and fertilizing, lighting.

Temperature, humidity and lighting

These are the three most important components for the health of the plant and its abundant flowering.

  • Constancy of temperature is very important for this flower; in summer we maintain it within 21-24 degrees during the day and 15-18 degrees at night. In winter, it must be reduced to 16 degrees. At lower temperatures and in conditions of lack of light, the plant will be less depleted. With higher winter temperatures, gardenias will begin to grow new shoots and will bloom less. Drafts where gardenia is kept are unacceptable - this creates stress for the plant.
  • This capricious plant grows well in bright light. But the bright sun in summer is harmful to her. The flower will be most comfortable on window sills with a western or southwestern orientation. In winter, the tropical sissy should be illuminated to the maximum.

You need to choose a permanent place for the flower. Not only should it not be rearranged, but the pot should not even be moved a little, especially when the gardenia is blooming.

Like all inhabitants of the tropics, gardenia loves air with high humidity, especially when flowering. You can moisten it by spraying, but unless water droplets get on the flowers, stains remain on them. Soft water at room temperature is suitable for spraying. You can place a vaporizer next to the plant or place it in a tray with wet pebbles. It’s good to give your sissy a warm shower, covering the soil in the pot with film so that it doesn’t get wet. You can wipe the leaves of the flower with a damp cloth.

Watering the plant

Proper watering will ensure long and lush flowering of gardenia. In summer, the soil in the pot should always be moist, so watering is carried out regularly. In winter, it is permissible to do this a little less often - once every 2-3 days. But in any season, the water should be soft, preferably boiled, and free of salts. The temperature of the irrigation water should be no lower than room temperature or slightly warmer. Every fifth watering, the water is acidified by adding 2-3 drops of lemon juice per liter of water. You can infuse water on high-moor peat. Water the bush only from above; you cannot water it through the tray. Excessive humidity harms indoor beauty - it provokes the development of root rot.

Feeding and fertilizer

Feeding gardenia has its own characteristics. The first feeding is carried out 1-2 months after transplantation. Plants brought from Holland are not fed during the entire first season, since their soil is well-filled with nutrients; overfeeding is harmful to this plant.

Root feeding is done with acidic complex fertilizers intended for azaleas, but their concentration is reduced by 2 times. Feed every ten days throughout the active growth season. Once a week, you can do foliar feeding with a weak solution of the same fertilizers. Mineral fertilizers are combined with organic fertilizers - special liquid preparations for indoor flowers. In winter, the amount of fertilizing is reduced or stopped altogether if the plant does not bloom.

To prevent chlorosis, gardenia is fed with iron chelate a couple of times a season. You can spray the plants with it on the leaves. The problem of iron deficiency can be solved by burying a few rusty nails in the pot.

Rules for care after flowering

When the gardenia has faded, it’s the right time to prune and shape it. The branches are cut by half or 2/3 of the length. Remove dried or interfering shoots. Cut healthy branches can be used as cuttings for rooting.

Gardenia propagation

The easiest way to do this is with semi-lignified cuttings. They are kept for half an hour in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Then they are planted in a substrate made of a mixture of sand and peat and covered with a glass jar. It needs to be removed sometimes to ventilate the cuttings. The soil must be moist. Cuttings root well if you apply bottom soil heating. Rooted plants are planted in separate containers. When the shoot height is 15 cm, it is pinched for better tillering.

How to properly grow gardenia jasmine from seeds?

The seeds of this plant quickly lose their viability, so they need to be sown 2-3 days after collection. To increase germination, seeds are treated with zircon solution or aloe juice, soaking them for 3-4 hours.

Sow the seeds in moistened and pre-disinfected soil for azaleas, sprinkled with a 5 mm thick layer of soil. Place a plastic bag over the container with the seeds, or cover it with glass. The bag or glass is removed from time to time for ventilation. The soil is sprayed with a spray bottle. Shoots appear in a month. All this time the container is kept warm and dark. After germination, it is transferred to a windowsill with diffused light. Grown seedlings are planted and pinched. Growing gardenia jasmine from seeds is best done in the spring.

Pests and diseases and methods of combating them

The painful state of gardenia is often associated with errors in care. Sometimes it is caused by the appearance of pests.

Table: main diseases and pests of gardenia.

Signs of defeatWhat causedHow do they manifest themselves?Control measures
Flower buds fallAir humidity is below normalThe buds fall off before they can openIncreasing air humidity by spraying and placing the pot on a tray with wet pebbles
Spots on flowersWater getting on flowers due to careless sprayingThe appearance of brown spots on the petalsReplacing spraying with other methods of air humidification
Yellowing of leavesChlorosis due to iron deficiencyThe leaves turn yellow, but the veins remain greenFeeding with iron chelate, watering with lime-free water
Blackening of leavesSooty fungus caused by pestsBlack sooty film on leavesDestruction of pests, washing of plants
White woolly spotsMealybugThe appearance of white spots on the underside of the sheetApplication of insecticides, wiping leaves with alcohol
Pale yellow leavesSpider mitePunctures on the leaves are visible in the light, a thin cobweb is visible from the underside of the leafTreatment with acaricide or acaroinsecticide
Leaf discolorationShchitovkaThe appearance of brown scaly insects from the underside of the leafTreating with insecticide or wiping leaves with alcohol

The main problems when growing a plant

Gardenia is very capricious and demanding that all care rules be followed. If they are disturbed, it will immediately react by dropping buds or changing the color of the leaves.

Leaves turn black and fall off

The leaves turn black and fall off if the plant's root system is not working well.

To eliminate this cause, you need to check the following:

  • does the soil have good air permeability, is it compacted;
  • are the drainage holes clogged - this can lead to stagnation of water and rotting and weakening of the root system;
  • Are the plants overfed - excess fertilizers inhibit the roots.

The black top is a signal of the appearance of pests that have infected the plant with viral or bacterial diseases.

Yellowing of leaves

If the lower tier has turned yellow, the cause may be excessive air humidity or a draft in the room. The upper tier turns yellow - the acidity of the soil is not normal, which makes it difficult to absorb nitrogen. If all the leaves turn yellow, the plant is infested with spider mites or lacks either nitrogen or iron. The balance must be restored gradually, otherwise you can harm the flower.

Despite all the vagaries, this charming inhabitant of the tropics can decorate every home. It’s simply impossible to take your eyes off the amazing flowers, and the amazing smell will create a special aura in your home.

Habitat: Far East, India, China. Indoor gardenia grows up to 50 cm in height.

The leaves are dark green, rich in color, with a smooth surface and a glossy sheen. Foliage length up to 10cm. The appearance of the gardenia flower resembles a rose. The color is white, some varieties have a terry texture of the petals. The size of the inflorescences is 7-10 cm in diameter.

A distinctive feature is the delicate, jasmine aroma that the indoor flower emits during flowering.

The importance of the right land

As for the soil, gardenia is picky in this matter. Even it will not be able to compensate for the unsuitable composition of the soil. A well-developed root system is the key to the full development of the above-ground part of the plant.

Gardenia prefers acidic soil and does not tolerate lime at all.. The optimal composition of the soil mixture should be as close as possible to the natural habitat.

It is important to know that gardenia can react strongly if the soil does not suit it. Indoor exotic will grow poorly, the flowering period will be postponed indefinitely, and if it blooms, the inflorescences will be small and inconspicuous. It will also drop flower stalks quite quickly. You will learn why gardenia does not bloom and how to solve this problem, and we wrote about the diseases and pests of this beauty.

Suitable soil

As already mentioned, the plant loves acidic soil, pH 4.5-5.5. The soil should be light, loose and fertile. The flower grows well in moist soil, so an important characteristic is the ability of the soil to retain water. Even if initially the mixture was purchased correctly, over time the water washes out acidic substances and the soil needs to be acidified. What will become the owner's regular responsibility.

Specialty stores offer a long list of soils suitable for planting gardenias. The best option are soils:

  • for azalea;
  • rhododendrons;
  • universal soil mixture for flowering plants.

However, any ready-made substrate can be brought to the desired condition, friability and moisture capacity. It is also important to know which components of the soil mixture will be preferable for gardenia. To prepare your own substrate you will need the following components:

  1. deciduous soil;
  2. turf soil;
  3. coniferous land;
  4. peat;
  5. coarse sand;
  6. sphagnum moss;
  7. natural leavening agents.

The total component of additives should be no more than 1/3 of the total earth mixture. It is best to use perlite or vermiculite as leavening agents; they can also replace sand if the latter is not available.

What pots are suitable?

Regarding the flower container:

  1. It is better to choose a pot of small diameter.
  2. It is recommended to take a new pot 2-3 cm larger than the previous one.
  3. The material is preferably ceramic or plastic.
  4. Be sure to have drainage holes.
  5. Also, the pot should not be too deep to prevent liquid stagnation.

For the first time after purchase, the plant should be replanted after three weeks. This time is necessary for the flower to fully adapt. It is better to use the transshipment method during the transplantation process, which will be less painful for the gardenia.

Careful preparation for transplantation

Gardenia, like most plants, does not tolerate transplantation well. This process should be performed once every 2-3 years, as the root system grows. Young individuals should be replanted annually. The process of soil renewal is usually carried out in early spring, always after flowering.

  1. The roots are quite fragile and thin, so you should remove them from the container carefully.
  2. Then carefully cut off the dry, yellow root shoots with a sharp tool, and new ones will grow in their place.
  3. Afterwards, a drainage layer of approximately 4-5 cm is placed on the bottom of the selected flowerpot, which is essential for water drainage.
  4. Fill the container with prepared soil, at room temperature.
  5. Place the plant in the center of the pot, and sprinkle the roots on top with a layer of soil.
  6. At the end of the process, it is important to water the plant moderately.

Video about plant transplantation:

How to water?

Jasmine gardenia has a capricious nature when it comes to watering.

Water balance changes depending on the time of year and the life cycle of the plant. Compliance with this condition makes indoor exotic a capricious and demanding flower.


Soil fertilizer

Indoor gardenia should be fed continuously from March to the end of August.. At the beginning of spring, active growth begins, the flower needs additional nutrition, and in the autumn-winter period fertilizers do not need to be used.

  1. The flower should be fertilized 2 times a month.
  2. Make the concentration 2 times weaker than indicated in the instructions, in order not to overfeed the plant.
  3. Mineral fertilizers should be applied to pre-moistened soil.
  4. Liquid complex fertilizers for flowering plants are used as nutrients.
  5. It is important that this composition does not include the mineral calcium. The indoor beauty reacts quite sharply to the presence of this substance, slows down its growth, and does not bloom.
  6. If during flowering, the foliage begins to turn pale, the bright green color is lost, and yellow leaves appear - this is a clear sign of iron deficiency (you will learn about problems with leaves in gardenia in). In this case, foliar feeding should be done with iron sulfate.
  7. A newly purchased flower is not fed for the first 2 months.
  8. After transplantation, you cannot fertilize the soil; nutrition can be restored after 1-2 months.

So, knowing what kind of soil gardenia prefers, you can avoid making mistakes. Buy exclusively acidic soil or prepare it yourself, having previously disinfected all components. Follow all of the above recommendations regarding replanting, choosing a pot, watering and fertilizing. And he will thank you for the unusually beautiful flowering and healthy appearance.

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Kirill Sysoev

Calloused hands never get bored!

Content

There is an unusual flower in the madder family - gardenia jasmine. A delicate subtle aroma reminiscent of jasmine, unusual white flowers and dark green glossy leaves attract attention from the first minutes of meeting it. The homeland of gardenia is considered to be China, India, and southern Africa, where the bush-like plant in open ground can reach 2 m in height. A lover of warmth, sun and moisture, this flower in our conditions can only survive in a greenhouse or living room. Have you already chosen gardenia to decorate your apartment? These recommendations will be useful to you.

How to care for gardenia jasmine

This flower has a capricious character. If you are not afraid of the difficulties associated with painstaking care, temperature control, pest control, and proper watering, then this fragrant jasmine gardenia will thank you with flowering that lasts for several months in a row. A gentle wave of aromas envelops the room where the beautiful gardenia is located.

Planting and replanting

Having purchased a young plant, do not rush to transplant the gardenia into a new pot. The flower must get used to the environment of the room. Knowing how to properly transplant gardenia jasmine, you will help it adapt faster. 2-3 weeks after purchasing the plant, move the lump of earth entwined with roots into a new pot of larger capacity, being careful not to damage the root system.

After purchase, replant by transferring the root ball of the gardenia along with the soil into a new pot. Then fill the free space with soil suitable for this type of plant. Adult flowers should be replanted every 3-4 years in the spring, depending on the growth rate of the plant. If the root system of a young gardenia develops well and quickly, it is replanted every year.

Soil for gardenia jasmine

Gardenia loves acidic soil, only then will it be able to fully grow and produce abundant flowering. Specialized stores for flora lovers sell soil mixtures for acid-loving plants. Irrigation water gradually washes out acid from the soil, so gardenia needs to be fed and acidified periodically. The soil for gardenia jasmine must have the ability to retain moisture, but be loose, which means the presence of sand and perlite in it is necessary.

How to fertilize and trim a flower

Organic substances, when decomposed, tend to lower the pH of the soil, so use natural oxidizing agents: oak leaf compost, manure. It's good if you add a little sphagnum (bog moss that forms peat). These components will not only acidify the soil, but will also act as fertilizer for the gardenia. If there is no compost or manure at the moment, acidification can be liquid: add a few grains of citric acid to 1 liter of water.

Organic and mineral complex fertilizers for gardenia jasmine in liquid form can always be purchased at a flower shop. It is better to fertilize no earlier than 1-2 months after planting or replanting, in accordance with the instructions indicated on the preparation. Constant monitoring of timely acidification of the soil will ensure abundant flowering of gardenia.

Pruning of the plant is carried out only after flowering has completely finished. Remove weak shoots and remove excess ones if the gardenia has grown rapidly. By giving the flower a compact, regular shape, you will not only help it look attractive, but it will have more energy for the new flowering period, since it will not be wasted on leaves and young stems. Decorative pruning is carried out once a year.

How to water a plant

Watering a capricious flower is carried out through the top layer of soil with soft boiled water at room temperature. During the warm months from April to September, the soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Regular moderate watering will ensure that the soil is evenly moistened, and the salts in it will be absorbed by the roots of the plant. In winter, watering should be reduced, but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Every 3-5 waterings, it is recommended to acidify the water by adding 1-3 drops of lemon juice per 1 liter of liquid. This will contribute to better absorption of nutrients in the soil. Gardenia loves moist air. If you place a flower pot in a tray with damp expanded clay, while insulating the drainage hole, it will thank you with bright, healthy leaves and beautiful flowers. Gardenia loves a warm shower, but it is important to ensure that water does not get on the flowers, as this can cause them to become covered with unsightly spots.

Growing Temperature

Gardenia loves sunlight, but does not tolerate heat very well. For optimal plant development and lush flowering, an air temperature ranging from +21 C to +24 C is required. By winter, create conditions for the flower with a temperature of about +16 C, but with bright lighting from a fluorescent lamp, at least 12 hours a day. At higher temperatures, a large number of young shoots will be formed, which will negatively affect the quality of flowering.

Flower propagation

After a few years, the adult plant reduces the abundance of flowering. This can be easily corrected by renewing the gardenia and growing a new young flower. Immediately after flowering, you need to cut off a mature cutting about 10 cm in size that is not in the stage of intensive growth. It is better if the shoot has a “heel” (a piece of old wood). It is advisable to cover the top with a glass jar or plastic bag to root the new flower.

It is better to propagate gardenia from cuttings using biostimulants Kornevin and Heteroauxin, so the formation of roots will begin much faster. Some flower lovers try to propagate gardenia jasmine from seeds, which are sold in specialized stores. This is a labor-intensive task and even more painstaking than propagation by cuttings. But those who are not afraid of difficulties can try this method.

How to identify a flower disease by its appearance

If the flower is not properly cared for, unopened buds sometimes fall off and spots appear on them. Leaves can also signal to you that the plant is in unhealthy condition. By changing the color of the leaves from bright green to yellow or even black, the flower makes it clear that it is sick or is receiving incompetent care. Having looked at the causes of diseases in more detail, you need to try to avoid them, and then your gardenia jasmine will be able to bloom profusely with healthy-looking leaves.

Leaves turn black and fall off

Brown spots on the leaves are observed in flowers whose root system is damaged by excessive watering. The “non-breathing” soil was unable to remove excess moisture, and root rot occurred. What is done in such cases? You need to carefully remove the root ball, remove the rotten roots and replant it in new well-drained soil. Until the flower is completely cured, water it with the fungicidal preparation "Maxim".

Gardenia leaves turn yellow

Yellowed leaves of gardenia jasminoides signal a lack of nitrogen nutrition, including iron. When watering with hard water, calcium salts are quickly washed out, the acidity of the soil is disturbed, the leaves become pale and wither. Eliminating the cause of yellowing leaves is not difficult. Intensive therapy with liquid preparations containing iron (Bona Forte, Ferticalux) will help restore the plant. In the future, adhere to proper watering, irrigate the flower only with soft boiled water at room temperature, so as not to ask yourself the question of why the leaves turn yellow.

Unopened buds fall off

Sometimes it happens that gardenia does not bloom, or already formed buds, ready to open, suddenly begin to fall off en masse. The reasons for this condition are:

  • Excessive watering and stagnation of moisture in the soil.
  • Lack of watering, severe drying of the soil.
  • A stressful situation for a plant when the lighting or temperature changes sharply.
  • Drafts.
  • Lack of lighting.

The most beautiful indoor plant is the rooting gardenia, or jasminoides, jasmine (in Latin Gardenia jasminoides). The fact that the beauty requires constant, very attentive care does not frighten passionate flower growers: the efforts expended are more than rewarded.

Forming in nature a large shrub or, during the flowering period, gardenias spread their magical aroma over many meters around. The flowers of the plant can surpass the most luxurious rose or peony.

A flower fit for an emperor

The Song Dynasty, which existed about a thousand years ago, was the first to tell about the beautiful gardenias that decorated the chambers of the emperors of China themselves. Although gardenias showed their full potential, even then Chinese gardeners did not allow the bush to grow, but achieved the most luxurious flowering, so they became bonsai - a spectacular, miniature tree with a bizarre crown shape. Appearing in Europe from the middle of the 18th century, gardenia was also limited in growth by pruning and shaping the crown.

When deciding to decorate your life with an amazing, rather capricious flower, take care to study the rules of care.

Special indoor varieties are now available that require minimal pruning, but still remain quite complex and demanding to care for.

How to care for gardenia at home

Lighting

The optimal location would be south and west windows. In the summer, in the heat of the day, the plant is moved away from the window, making the rays diffuse; in winter, on the contrary, they are brought closer so that there is enough light. It is important to avoid exposure to the hot scorching sun, so as not to cause burns or leaf fall.

Air temperature and humidity

The life cycle of a plant in natural conditions dictates its own rules in maintaining air temperature over the seasons. In summer, temperatures up to 21–24 °C during the day and at night up to 15–18 °C are allowed. In winter, a decrease to 16 °C is possible, the minimum permissible air cooling is 10 °C.

  • It is difficult to maintain coolness in the summer, but with the advent of air conditioners, the task has become easier.
  • If you ventilate the room by opening the window, move the flower away from the flow of cold air. Exposure to a draft can cause flower buds and flowers to fall off, as well as newly formed flower buds. A similar effect is possible with a lack of moisture, dry air with low oxygen content.
  • It is advisable to regularly spray the plant on the leaves with a fine spray bottle.
  • The beauty loves moist air, help the plant: place the pot on a tray with moistened pebbles or expanded clay. Be sure to ensure that the water does not touch the bottom of the pot.
  • In addition to regularly spraying the leaves, wiping the leaves with a damp cloth is useful. By removing dust, you promote the complete absorption of oxygen from the air, the full processes of air exchange and photosynthesis in the leaves.

The flower will have a healthy appearance, rich color and will never get sick with careful attention. A warm shower has a beneficial effect on the condition of the plant, but you should cover the soil in the pot with a bag so as not to over-moisten it.

How to water

Use settled water at room temperature. It’s great if the water is filtered or melted or rainwater.

  • In spring and summer, keep the soil moist, avoiding the accumulation of moisture in the base of the pot. Proper watering helps maintain the strength of the plant at the stage of preparation for flowering and directly during it.
  • In winter, flower growth slows down and the need for moisture decreases - reduce watering. Remember: if the soil is waterlogged, you risk losing the flower due to root rot, which can spread to the entire plant.

Gardenia likes acidified soil, so you need to add citric acid to the water for irrigation: a couple of grams per 1 liter of warm, settled water, which promotes the absorption of nutrients from the soil. Alternate watering with plain water and acidified water about three times to the fourth.

Feeding

  • gardenia twice a month with complex fertilizers for azaleas or ornamental flowering plants, following the manufacturer's recommendations.
  • The flower responds well to foliar fertilizing with iron-containing preparations and magnesium sulfate, which can be done weekly. Such procedures can be continued even in winter, especially if you notice lightening of the leaves (chlorosis).

When does gardenia bloom?

The plant blooms from July to October, producing new flowers every week. To maintain decorativeness and stimulate flowering, it is recommended to prune faded buds.

Gardenia after purchase

  • If you bought a gardenia in bloom, do not rush to replant it immediately: after replanting, the buds will most likely fall off.
  • You can enjoy the beautiful appearance of the plant and, after three to four weeks, transfer the plant to a new pot with more suitable soil.

A feature of the soil in which sold plants grow is its one-time use: the nutrients present are quickly absorbed, usually they are enough to maintain the plant in a blooming state throughout the current season.

This soil contains a lot of peat, is very loose, and does not retain moisture well. Plus the pot quickly becomes very small. After purchase, it is best to transplant the gardenia into a spacious pot with nutritious soil for gardenias or azaleas, placing a drainage layer of small pebbles or expanded clay at the bottom.

The plant is watered and allowed to stand, then carefully handled, trying not to disturb the roots. This procedure will be painless, even if the gardenia is blooming. But it is best to replant in the spring, before flowering begins. A month and a half after transplantation, feeding is resumed.

What to do with gardenia after purchase, watch the video:

Soil for replanting

Take soil for gardenias, azaleas, rhododendrons or any ready-made soil mixture with an acidic reaction. Check with the flower shop what kind of soil they offer you: a neutral or alkaline environment will not suit the plant.

Transplanting gardenia

The flower grows over time, completely filling the space in the pot with its roots. Roots bursting out will be a sign of the need to urgently replant the plant. If this is not done, the plant will stop developing, stop blooming, or even begin to get sick and lose its decorative effect.

  • Prepare a wider and deeper pot and place small pebbles at the bottom as a drainage layer.
  • Sprinkle a layer of azalea soil on top.
  • Carefully remove the pot from the azalea's roots, pressing and twisting it lightly to better separate it from the soil inside.
  • Place the gardenia vertically in a new pot, sprinkle the remaining soil on the sides.
  • You can remove a couple of centimeters of old soil from above to replace it with fresh soil. Do this with extreme caution, being careful not to damage the roots.
  • After transplanting, the gardenia is watered and excess water is drained from the pan.

If the gardenia was stressed before transplanting, you will need a gentle one: cut off the existing unopened buds and flowers to make the plant take root more easily. After transplantation, protect the flower from direct sunlight and drafts. In a week or two, the root system will recover from the damage received and the plant will take root.

Another video will tell you how to replant gardenia:

Pinching and pruning gardenia

  • gardenia starts from the second year of life.
  • To do this, cut off the tops of the shoots above the third pair of leaves with scissors in order to increase the branching and splendor of the crown.
  • Pruning is necessary when removing dry, unsightly branches and when forming the correct shape of the crown.
  • Thickening branches that grow unevenly are cut off, and branches that are too long are shortened.
  • Faded flowers and dried buds are also cut off.

Gardenia tolerates pruning well, quickly pushing out new shoots instead of old ones.

How to form a gardenia bush, look at the video:

It is important not to be afraid to prune in a timely manner so that the bush develops evenly and remains well-groomed. The compact shape of the bush is maintained by constantly pinching the tops of the remaining shoots and pruning the branches at least once a year.

Gardenia bonsai

  • The plant can be shaped in the style.
  • To do this, form a central shoot, constantly pinching all the tops and cutting out excess branches.
  • The trunk of the plant will become thicker every year, and the branches will be rejuvenated by radical pruning.
  • It is important to prune before the end of autumn so that flower buds have time to form. Then the gardenia will annually delight you with its incomparable flowering on a bonsai-style mini tree.

Propagation of gardenia by cuttings

Cut branches can be rooted. The cuttings should have several leaves. Place the cuttings for a day in water with a dissolved root formation stimulator (kornevin, heteroauxin).

Next, you can root the cuttings in water or plant them in moist nutrient soil. The second method is preferable, since roots form faster and more intensively. The leaves are cut by a third to reduce moisture evaporation.

If rooted in water, when roots appear, transplant the young plant into a pot with a light nutrient substrate. Further watering will be needed regularly, but without excess. The soil should remain moist without stagnant water. Lighting needs to be diffused; choose western or eastern windows. Seedlings obtained from cuttings will bloom next year.

The video will clearly show you how to propagate gardenia from cuttings:

The South Asian beauty gardenia in natural conditions loves warm, acidic, breathable soil and soft sun - by creating similar conditions for your favorite gardenia, you will achieve magnificent flowering and a healthy appearance of the flower all year round.

Growing gardenia from seeds

Large gardenia seeds can be easily planted one at a time in separate cups, so as not to have to pick them later. But many gardeners prefer to sow in a common container in order to take up less space in the first month of growing. Everyone chooses what is more convenient for them.

  • Planting depth -1 cm, distance between seedlings - 2-3 cm.
  • The sown seeds are sprayed with a spray bottle and covered with film.
  • In such a mini greenhouse, the plants will sprout within three weeks.
  • Maintenance consists of maintaining constant soil moisture (there must be drainage to prevent stagnation of water) and regular ventilation of the greenhouse.

Gardenia from seeds photo seedlings

  • If sowing was carried out in a common container, at the stage of 3-4 true leaves, the plants are planted in separate containers, pinching off the central root, and still covered with bags or transparent jars.
  • 7-10 days after transplantation, fertilizing is carried out with a complex preparation for azaleas.

When the seedlings grow up, they are gradually accustomed to open space by removing the cover.

Mistakes in gardenia care and common problems

Why doesn't gardenia bloom?

The flower is quite demanding in terms of maintenance conditions. In order for the beautiful gardenia to bloom, you need to maintain a maintenance regime according to the seasons. A period of rest in cold weather is required with a decrease in air temperature to 16-18 ° C and moderate watering. In spring, the air temperature is slowly increased and maintained moderate, no more than 24°C.

Gardenia may not bloom due to the incorrect composition of the soil, or rather its acid-base reaction. You need soil with a slightly acidic reaction. Remember: frequent watering causes the soil to become alkalized. The appearance of excess salt can be judged by the presence of white deposits on lumps of earth and the sides of the pot. The solution to the problem is to urgently replant the flower in the ground for gardenias or azaleas and alternate watering with acidified water and simple water.

Good lighting is also important, without which the plant will not produce flower buds.

Gardenia will not bloom if drastic pruning is done in winter or spring and flower buds are cut off. Prune the bush immediately after flowering so that the plant has time to lay flower buds for the next season.

Gardenia leaves are falling

The problem occurs under two circumstances: insufficient watering and exposure to a draft. In both cases, the plant experiences stress, which results in a defensive reaction - dropping leaves.

Keep your gardenia cool by keeping the plant away from cold air coming from a window or open door.

Gardenia leaves turn yellow and black, and then fall off

Gardenia leaves begin to yellow and turn black en masse as a result of constant overwatering: the plant becomes sick with root rot, unable to cope with the attacking putrefactive bacteria.

  • To help the beauty, you will need to replace the soil and disinfect the pot.
  • Be sure to trim diseased branches, carefully inspect the roots and remove damaged areas.
  • After repotting, treat the plant with phytosporin biofungicide as directed or with chemical fungicides (Recommended fungicides include myclobutanil, thiophanate-methyl, chlorothalonil, propiconazole, triforin).
  • Keep the soil moist by watering small amounts regularly.
  • Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged and water to stagnate in the pan!

Gardenia leaves turn black, but do not fall off

Why do gardenia leaves turn black photo Sooty fungus

Another reason for blackening of leaves is the spread of sooty fungus on the surface of the leaf. Here the problem arises due to the plant being damaged by sucking pests. Help - treatment with insecticides 4-5 times at intervals of 5 days, wiping the leaves with soapy water to wash off soot deposits.

Gardenia leaves are turning yellow

Pale and unhealthy yellowness of the leaves indicate the appearance of chlorosis. This is a physical disease that indicates iron deficiency. Poor absorption of the element is facilitated by alkalization of the soil (this has already been discussed; we use soil for azaleas or gardenias and water it with acidified water).

  • To prevent gardenia from turning yellow, regularly fertilize with iron-containing preparations (Micro-Fe or Ferovit).
  • Experienced gardeners advise immediately after planting to “drive” several nails into the ground, which, as they rust, will replenish the lack of iron in the soil.
  • The second essential element for gardenia is magnesium. Without it, gardenia leaves also turn yellow. Magnesium sulfate will help compensate for the lack of microelement. Foliar feeding is carried out with a solution in a concentration of 2 g. per liter of water every 1-2 weeks

Dropping buds and flower buds

Gardenia flowers and buds fall off as a result of stress. This may be damage by insect pests (aphids, scale insects, nematodes, thrips), excessively concentrated fertilizing, overwatering, poor soil drainage, insufficient lighting, sudden temperature fluctuations or too high/low temperatures (extreme cold or hot, dry weather).