Why aren't the leaves of the gardenia green?
This article introduces the reasons why the leaves of gardenias are not green and the causes of yellowing leaves, along with some small experiences in plant cultivation and solutions. Let's follow the editor to check out the specific content!
The fragrance of gardenias is very strong, and even just placing one flower at home can fill the room with fragrance. Therefore, many people fall in love with gardenias. However, a problem arises: many people reflect that gardenias are very difficult to grow and often die within a few days.
If you want to grow gardenias well, it is not as difficult as you might imagine. Just pay attention to the following points, with the last one being particularly important.
1. Observe the soil
No matter whether you buy gardenias online, at a flower shop, or on the roadside, some sellers use loess to cultivate them. If this is the case, you must repot them after bringing them home, or the gardenias won't survive for long. If they are grown in nutrient-rich soil, check if the soil is loose and remove all the fallen leaves on top of the soil.
2. Learn to water
Gardenias prefer warm and humid conditions. The soil should remain moist but not waterlogged. Usually, nutrient-rich soil has excellent permeability, allowing water to drain immediately, which is very good and prevents waterlogging. Check your own soil and see if it's like this. If the soil of your gardenias retains water after watering, it means it has good water retention and should not be watered frequently, as it can easily cause root rot.
In addition, make sure to water thoroughly. Sometimes, water leakage from the bottom of the pot does not mean the water has been absorbed. The water may just leak from the edges, while the middle of the soil is still dry. Over time, not only gardenias but also other hardy plants will wilt.
3. Learn to fertilize
Gardenias like fertilizer. If the leaves are overall yellowish or not green enough, it means they lack nutrients. However, it's not always the case, and I will explain more below. When fertilizing, apply thin layers of fertilizer frequently, using either granular or liquid fertilizers. It is recommended to use liquid fertilizer, diluted to the maximum ratio, applied every three days, mixed with water, which is convenient as a watering method.
Why aren't the leaves of the gardenia green?
4. Learn to bask in the sun
Gardenias are sun-loving plants, and lack of sunlight can cause yellowing leaves and other phenomena. However, they should not be exposed to direct sunlight, or they might easily die. It's best to just bask in the morning sun. In winter, they can be exposed to the sun all day. In summer, there is no need to intentionally bask in the sun; just place them in a bright area.
5. Test the pH level
The pH level is an unavoidable topic for gardenias.
Because gardenias prefer acidic soil, the pH value should be around 5 to 5.5. It's better in the south, where the soil and water are both slightly acidic, making it suitable for gardenia growth. However, it's not so good in the north.
Even if you use nutrient-rich soil, you can ensure that the soil is acidic, but tap water and river water are slightly alkaline, and in some areas, the alkalinity is quite high. Long-term watering can quickly reduce the acidity of the soil, which is very detrimental to the growth of gardenias.
This is an important reason why many people in the north can't grow gardenias well.
So, what can you do?
The best solution is to regularly test the soil's pH level and then use ferrous sulfate to improve and increase the soil's acidity.
You can use pH test strips to test the soil's acidity, which are cheap and easy to use online. Ferrous sulfate can also be purchased online.
This article shares the reasons why the leaves of gardenias are not green and the causes of yellowing leaves and their solutions, for the reference of plant enthusiasts, hoping to solve your problems in green plant management.