| We have tried to grown gardenias and seem to have NO luck. Now we live in Hemet, Ca which gets hot and dry during the summer so we tried to grow them in a pot in shade and we also tried in the ground where it is sunny only in the early morning until about 10am and we get the pods but they only turn brown and then drop off. The leaves do ok but once we see the pods dropping off we sort of loose interest and then the leafs start dying off also. What is the best kind and where is the best place to grow them. I love the look and smell of the plant, so please help me. |
| I know how frustrating it can be to grow gardenias in the desert. I have several in my Phoenix area garden and they didn't begin to thrive until 2 years after they were planted. So if you love gardenias, they're worth the trouble because nothing compares to their fragrant blossoms. Fall or spring is the best time for planting. Plant in light to moderate shade, preferably with minimum competition from tree roots. Gardenias prefer acid, moist, well-drained soils. In desert soils, chlorosis generally is a problem. Use fertilizer for acid loving plants, and use iron compounds (I use about a quarter cup of Ironite per shrub every 3 months). Add plenty of organic matter, such as compost or ground bark, to as large a planting area as possible. Mulch plants instead of cultivating - their roots are shallow. A good time to feed gardenias is mid-March, using an acid plant food, fish emulsion or blood meal. Feed the shrubs again in late June to encourage extra flowers on everbloomers or faster growth of young shrubs. Do not fertilize gardenias in the fall. Doing so will stimulate tender growth, which may be killed if the temperature in winter drops below 15 degrees. Gardenias are cold-sensitive and during severe winters can be killed to the ground but they often regenerate in the spring. Prune shrubs after they have finished flowering to remove straggly branches and faded flowers. Water gardenias regularly. Drip-irrigating the shrubs will keep water off the foliage and blossoms and prevents leaf spots. Regular watering is necessary after blooming also to keep the plants in good condition and able to withstand winter weather. Several insects and diseases are likely to show up on your gardenia. When sooty mold coats gardenia leaves in summer, it is usually due to an infestation of whiteflies. These sucking insects look like bits of cotton. While eating, they excrete excess moisture in the form of honeydew and this, in turn, supports the growth of a black fungus. Similar in habit are small gray aphids, which cling to leaf undersides. In sandy soil, nematodes can cause gardenias to be stunted or even die. Nematodes are microscopic worms, which live in the soil and feed on plant roots. Root rots caused by several different fungi can also be a problem, especially in poorly drained soils. Another problem encountered is "bud drop." Flower buds abort and drop off just before they open. Common causes include low humidity, overwatering, underwatering, insufficient light and high temperatures (night temperatures between 50 and 55 ? F are necessary for the formation of flower buds). So, with all this in mind, you might giving another gardenia a try..... Best wishes with your gardenias! |
