How to properly care for gardenias
This article provides an introduction to the knowledge of how to care for gardenias and the tips for cultivating them. Let's learn about it together.
In spring, a large number of gardenias are available in flower shops. Each pot of gardenias has lush green leaves and plump flower buds, some of which have already bloomed, emitting a rich fragrance that is loved by everyone. Moreover, gardenias have a relatively compact growth habit, and anyone who enjoys gardening would want to buy a pot upon seeing them. Imagining them blooming beautifully at home, many people struggle to care for gardenias, with almost nine out of ten failing to do so. This is actually because they do not follow the proper care routine for gardenias.
Gardenias are very easy to care for as potted flowers and can bloom in both the south and north. However, it is essential to master these five key points to ensure that gardenias grow with lush green leaves and continuous blooming, filling the room with fragrance. If the selection is poor or the growth rules are violated, gardenias will likely drop their flower buds, turn yellow, and even die, leaving only an empty pot within a few months. So, what characteristics should one follow to properly care for gardenias?
Firstly, how to choose when purchasing
When buying gardenias in a flower shop, although they may look lush with green leaves and large flower buds, some of which have bloomed with fragrant flowers, it is essential to check the condition of the pot they are in. Most gardenias are cultivated in field soil, which is not suitable for indoor care, such as those in black soft-sided pots. These gardenias are usually raised in greenhouses and placed directly on the ground for unified care because field soil is relatively inexpensive.
When watering, the roots of these gardenias mostly扎 into the ground due to the large drainage holes in the soft-sided pots. Since field soil is relatively poor and prone to compaction, the roots growing in the ground absorb a lot of nutrients, making the gardenias grow quickly. When they become lush and start to form flower buds, the bottom roots are cut off, and the plants are sold with the soft-sided pots.
Because they have been watered sufficiently, they can survive for about 20 days to a month before being sold. If you buy such a gardenia, you will notice that the bottom has broken roots. This soil is not only prone to compaction, but the bottom roots are severely damaged, and if not properly cared for at home, they are likely to show symptoms such as yellow leaves, leaf drop, and flower bud drop, and may even die within a short period without blooming.
If you want to care for such gardenias properly, you must wash the roots, repot them, and allow them to recover fully before they will form flower buds the following year. Therefore,新手 buying gardenias should not choose these types and instead select those grown in nutrient-rich soil that looks loose and well-draining. Although these gardenias may be more expensive, they can bloom without repotting, just by watering thoroughly and exposing them to sunlight. This is one of the reasons many people struggle to care for gardenias, as they do not know how to choose the right ones.