Cultivation and Precautions of Gardenia
Are you curious about the cultivation and precautions of gardenias, as well as the related skills for growing them? The following is a detailed introduction.
Gardenias have a relatively long blooming period, from May to August, with each flower lasting 3-5 days. The blooming period may vary depending on the region and climate. Below is a detailed introduction to the maintenance methods and precautions for gardenias.
I. Maintenance Methods for Gardenias
1. Soil
When growing gardenias, it is essential to prepare slightly acidic soil. Alkaline soil can hinder the plant's absorption of iron, preventing the normal formation of chlorophyll, which can lead to dried and withered leaves and branches. A mixture of equal parts of sandy loam and peat soil can be used as the growing medium.
2. Light and Temperature
Gardenias prefer shade. In the summer and early autumn, when the sun is intense, they need to be provided with some shade. The optimal growing temperature is between 18-22 degrees Celsius. They can safely overwinter at temperatures between 5-10 degrees Celsius. Below -10 degrees Celsius, the plant may suffer frost damage.
3. Water and Fertilizer Management
Gardenias enjoy moisture but cannot tolerate waterlogging. In addition to keeping the soil moist, it is also necessary to frequently spray the plant to increase humidity. After the bud formation, water should be controlled appropriately, otherwise, it is easy for the buds to fall off. Starting in April, fertilize every 10-15 days with a thin solution, adding phosphorus and potassium fertilizers during the flowering period, and stop fertilizing after winter.
4. Propagation Methods
The common propagation methods are cutting and layering. Cuttings are done in the plum rain season, selecting 15 cm long tender branches and inserting them into the soil, which can survive in about 10 days. Layering is done in April, selecting 20-25 cm long branches from two-year-old plants and burying them in the soil, which can survive in about 30 days.
II. Precautions
1. After gardenias form buds, the buds are usually quite dense and need to be thinned out appropriately to prevent bud drop.
2. If gardenias do not bloom, it might be due to unsuitable soil or insufficient fertilizer, and specific improvements should be made according to the situation.
3. In the summer, it is common for diseases such as leaf spot, yellowing, and scale insects to occur. Medicines can be purchased for disinfection, and the affected plants should be isolated from healthy ones.
4. When the main stem reaches about 20 cm, pinching can be done to force the plant to produce lateral branches and shape the plant.
This article shares the complete introduction to the cultivation and precautions of gardenias, as well as the skills for growing them, for everyone to learn and understand!