Method for Fertilizing Gardenias
This article introduces you to the knowledge of caring for gardenias, including the method for fertilizing gardenias. Next, the editor will provide an introduction.
Gardenias are a type of plant that many gardening enthusiasts are hesitant to attempt, mainly because they are not easy to cultivate, especially in the north. Today, let's discuss the method for fertilizing gardenias and what type of fertilizer to use. For gardenias, fertilizing is suitable during the growth period outside of the blooming season.
Method for Fertilizing Gardenias
Actually, fertilizing gardenias is not much different from fertilizing other plants. For example, root-top dressing, foliar fertilizer, and fertilizer irrigation are all acceptable. If your plant has not been cultivated for long and is not mature yet, it is recommended to reduce the fertilizer concentration to the lowest, applying thin and frequent fertilization. This is because if the gardenia roots are not well-developed, they may not be able to absorb the fertilizer effectively.
What Type of Fertilizer to Use for Gardenias
This is a concern for many gardening enthusiasts, and there are differences between the north and south. The main issue is with ferrous sulfate, as gardenias prefer slightly acidic soil. However, in the north, both the soil and water are alkaline, so gardenias are prone to iron deficiency chlorosis. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement with ferrous sulfate every now and then to replenish iron.
During the growth period of gardenias, we should provide a balanced fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. About one month before the blooming period, apply a spray of potassium dihydrogen phosphate every week, which helps with blooming. Stop fertilizing once the blooming period begins. It is also not recommended to fertilize during winter.
Let's specifically mention the symptoms of iron deficiency chlorosis.
It first occurs at the tips of the branches and young leaves, starting from the leaf margins and moving towards the center of the leaf. The leaf color changes from green to yellow, gradually worsening or becoming light yellow, but the veins remain green. Then the entire leaf turns yellow, followed by a yellowish-white or white color, and the leaf edges develop a grayish-brown to brown color, necrotic and dry. The top leaves of the plant are most severely affected, while the lower leaves remain normal or close to normal. In severely affected areas, the plants gradually weaken and eventually die.
The above-shared method for fertilizing gardenias and tips on what type of fertilizer to use hope to provide you with some help after reading this article!