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I have killed every GARDENIA I've owned - HELP!!!

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Nickythebean  Send Nickythebean a private message!


Posted on Friday, June 08, 2007 - 04:50 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Help! I just bought another gardenia, after killing the last three or four. I live in Springfield, Illinois (zone 5b?) and so I plant them in a container to keep outside for the summer. Every single time, the leaves start to turn yellow, drop off, and die. I have it in my front yard which gets a good amount of morning sun. This gardenia was absolutely gorgeous and healthy when I bought it. I have watered it every day, but, just like the others, this one is dying a slow death. ANY advice would be appreciated!!!

Nickythebean - Illinois, Zone "5a?"
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Jeanne  Send Jeanne a private message!



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Posted on Friday, June 08, 2007 - 06:57 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Nickythebean wrote on Friday, June 08, 2007 - 04:50 pm:

I have watered it every day, but, just like the others, this one is dying a slow death.



Nicky...that's the problem ..you are watering it to death...we grow Gardenias here out in our gardens in morning sun and they drainwell and don't water unless they look droopy..also..they are finicky as they have shallow roots and don't like the dirt messed with ontop...Jeanne

Jeanne Texas Zone 8B
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Luis_pr  Send Luis_pr a private message!


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Posted on Saturday, June 09, 2007 - 10:48 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Hello, Nickithebean. Yes indeed, they are very finicky! Keep the plant in partial shade; an east or covered west porch will be perfect. High humidity is essential to gardenia care. But that means keep the soil as constantly moist as one possibly can & use plenty of mulch to conserve the moisture. Unless your location is very breezy, I do not understand why your watering would last for only one day.

Make sure the holes at the bottom of the pot are not clogged so the water drains well. Avoid misting the foliage, though, as leaf spot fungal problems will develop. A loose, well-drained organic soil is usually recommended.

Fertilize monthly between April and November with an acid fertilizer or cottonseed meal. And check regularly for insects and other pests such as aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips and scales.

Good luck! I share your pain and frustration!
Luis

Luis_pr - Hurst, Texas, Zone "USDA 7b/8a"
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Nickythebean  Send Nickythebean a private message!


Posted on Saturday, June 09, 2007 - 10:06 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Thanks for your advice! We potted it in Miracle Grow potting soil. Could that be the problem? Is that kind of soil not well-drained enough?

Nickythebean - Illinois, Zone "5a?"
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Growit  Send Growit a private message!




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Posted on Monday, June 11, 2007 - 08:18 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

They need to be planted in an ericaceous compost. Miracle Grow is probably neutral not acid. When you water try to use rainwater not tapwater. If you have no rainwater then add a little vinegar to tapwater before watering.
Good luck!

Growit - Hampshire, Zone "8/9"
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Luis_pr  Send Luis_pr a private message!


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Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 12:39 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I agree, the potting soil is not an issue -from a watering standpoint- since any commercial potting soil should drain very well.

While I would expect any gardenia to produce yellow leaves when it goes from the store to any backyard (that is why they are called "finicky"... I call it transplant shock), the amount of water you are applying seems too much.

Try this... every day use this method to check the soil moisture: insert a finger to a depth of 3-4" and see whether it feels wet, moist or dry. If it feels wet, there is watering problem (drainage, too much water, etc). If it feels moist, do not water. If it feels dry or almost dry then water.

After a while, you get to see watering patterns develop (i.e., you water every 2/3/4/5 days). At that point, stop checking daily and water on that frequency. But do spot check the soil moisture randomly after that, so you can detect when summer causes you to increase the watering frequency & when fall causes you to reduce the frequency.

There is another cause/possibility that I forgot to consider. Some gardenias shed leaves before their flush of new growth/blooms in the spring. Under this scenario, old leaves--those closest to the main trunk- will be the ones turning yellow.

Luis

Luis_pr - Hurst, Texas, Zone "USDA 7b/8a"
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Mimi  Send Mimi a private message!



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Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 06:19 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post



I have killed all mine too
Every single one
When I get them from the greenhouses, they are very root bound in the pots. the water runs right through them. I have tried everything. I have learned that in Springtime, I turn into a hummingbird and just sniff each one till I get my fill. They are usually one of the first plants to come out around here, they always lift my spirits. Oh! and I had a gardenia candle too, someplace.

Mimi - PaOhio, Zone "5a"
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Flowerfreak  Send Flowerfreak a private message!




Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 10:03 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

When I first got my gardenia about 3 years ago, the leaves began turning yellow & brown on & off throughout the year. At one point I thought it was history. I read more about them & "babied" it. It has been doing very very well this year. It looks very healthy & has grown about 2' taller & wider this past year! I actually had to transfer it into a bigger pot.

My problem is that it has NEVER bloomed. What am I doing wrong?

Flowerfreak - Ky, Zone "6a"
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Lovinlife  Send Lovinlife a private message!




Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 11:15 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I grew gardenias in Florida in the ground and they couldn't be stopped. But every time I try to grow them in pots, they die. I do believe they don't like a lot of water, and I do know they prefer shade.

Lisa, is yours in the house or outside? What kind of light does it have, and how have you babied it? The scent is so magnificent, I may try again to grow one in the house.

Lovinlife - Utah, Zone "5"
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Flowerfreak  Send Flowerfreak a private message!




Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 11:54 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Lovinlife wrote on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 11:15 am:

I do believe they don't like a lot of water,



Hmmm....Gloria,I thought I had read somewhere that they DO like water & don't like the soil to get dry. It seems everyone here is saying the opposite?! Mine seemed to bounce back when I kept it well watered & sprayed the leaves about once a week (part of my babying it--I guess "babying" it to me is actually tending to it daily!)

In the winter, I keep it close to a window with the blinds open about 1/2 way, on the south side of the house so the afternoon sun shines in on it. In spring, I set it on my front porch which faces east. It seems to do very well there. I also have 2 large trees in the front yard which give it shade. It receives minimal sun in the late morning/early afternoon.

I always hear how magnificent the scent is, but haven't gotten to smell one yet :(

Flowerfreak - Ky, Zone "6a"
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Cindym  Send Cindym a private message!




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Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 01:52 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Gardenias like an acidic, moist, but well-drained soil. Here in the deep south a little shade helps, but yours may not be getting enough sun to bloom.

I had to dig up one of mine about a year ago for this remodel project and it's still in the same container I potted it in. It bloomed a little in the spring, but not like when it was in the ground.

Cindym - Louisiana, Zone "8b"
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Lovinlife  Send Lovinlife a private message!




Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 03:59 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Flowerfreak wrote on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 11:54 am:

haven't gotten to smell one yet


You won't likely forget that scent if it ever blooms. It's like nothing else.

Lovinlife - Utah, Zone "5"
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Flowerfreak  Send Flowerfreak a private message!




Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 08:16 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Cindym wrote on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 01:52 pm:

but yours may not be getting enough sun to bloom


That had crossed my mind. I think I will try setting it to where it will get more sun & see what happens. I was afraid to try it this summer with as dry as it has been. I thought if I accidentally skipped a watering it would "fry" it. Now that it has gotten a little cooler I think I will try to get it more sun.

Lovinlife wrote on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 03:59 pm:

You won't likely forget that scent if it ever blooms. It's like nothing else


I'm keeping my fingers crossed :)

Flowerfreak - Ky, Zone "6a"
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Loretta  Send Loretta a private message!



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Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 06:10 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Sounds like another "suicidal gardenia" to me. Search the term on google.

Loretta - NJ, Zone "6"
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Luis_pr  Send Luis_pr a private message!


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Posted on Saturday, October 06, 2007 - 01:06 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Flowerfreak, I was wondering... when you stated that you have not been able to smell one gardenia yet, I wondered... is your plant producing buds which drop before opening or is the plant not producing any flower buds at all? Luis

Luis_pr - Hurst, Texas, Zone "USDA 7b/8a"
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Flowerfreak  Send Flowerfreak a private message!




Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 11:18 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

It has never produced any buds at all :(

Flowerfreak - Ky, Zone "6a"
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Loretta  Send Loretta a private message!



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Posted on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 08:30 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Oh well, I don't like to link to another forum but GW is no secret here as many of us came from there and this old thread is almost 10 years old and its pretty funny. It's known as the suicidal gardenia thread.

Loretta - NJ, Zone "6"

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