| I have a two part question. 1) I am unsure where SPECIFICALLY (how far back) to deadhead my gardenias and does that make more blooms come? 2) I have two gardenias that were the same size when purchased, planted side by side, same soil, fertalizer, watering, sun etc., yet one is alot bigger than the other and is blooming like crazy, the other hardly has any blooms at all and some leaves are yellow. Any idea what the problem could be? Thank you!! |
| Although the care you're giving your gardenias is the same, the soil where they are planted could be slightly different (in terms of drainage, etc.), and the plants themselves are different, too. One may have established its roots quickly and the other may be struggling. I can only suggest that you be a little more patient with the slower one. Give it a little more time to become established. As for deadheading, gardenias drop their old flowers so deadheading is not necessary, but if for appearance's sake you want to remove the spent flowers, you can cut the flowering stem back to a set of leaves anywhere on the stem. Wherever you cut, you'll have one or two new stems emerging. The more stems you have, the fuller your plant will look and the more new flowers it will produce. Gardenias often lose their lowest leaves (these are the oldest leaves) and deadheading as described above will encourage more growth lower down on the shrub and well as new growth at the top. Best wishes with your gardenias! |
