How to grow gardenia to keep it alive
Comprehensive guide on how to keep gardenia alive, including cultivation methods and techniques for green plants and flowers. Let's take a look!
Gardenia, also known as "cape jasmine," is mainly distributed in multiple regions such as Guizhou, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong in China. Gardenia is evergreen throughout the year, with fragrant flowers and high ornamental value. Gardenia prefers light and shade, with the optimal temperature for its growth being between 20°C and 28°C. High or low temperatures are not conducive to the growth of gardenia. Gardenia enjoys fertilizer and is best planted in loose, fertile, acidic soil. Let's talk in detail about the cultivation methods of gardenia.
1. Temperature Environment
Gardenia prefers warmth, with the most suitable temperature for cultivation being between 18°C and 22°C. High or low temperatures can affect the healthy growth of gardenia. To thrive, gardenia needs to maintain an appropriate temperature. In summer, proper cooling is required to prevent the plant from rotting due to high temperatures. In winter, when temperatures are low, the plant can be moved indoors. If the temperature drops below 10°C, it can suffer from frostbite, which is not conducive to its growth.
2. Timely Shading
Gardenia enjoys light and requires adequate sunlight exposure. During spring and autumn, it is necessary to increase the duration of sunlight. In summer, it is essential to avoid direct sunlight. Sufficient sunlight promotes effective photosynthesis, which is beneficial for the healthy growth of gardenia.
3. Ample Water
Watering gardenia should be done when the soil feels dry to the touch. Overwatering can lead to soil becoming too wet, causing the roots to rot if immersed in water for too long, leading to yellow leaves and dropped buds. In summer, when temperatures are high, it is necessary to water once or twice a day. Regularly mist the leaves to remove dust and provide the plant with sufficient water. In winter, reduce the frequency of watering, once a week is sufficient.
4. Light Fertilization Often
Gardenia enjoys fertilizer and should be fertilized lightly and frequently. To ensure the plant's healthy growth, organic fertilizer can be added as a base fertilizer when repotting, and frequent top dressing is required during the growing season. Phosphorus fertilizer can be applied before flowering to promote more abundant blooms. Avoid using heavy or raw fertilizers, and stop fertilizing in winter.
5. Timely Pruning
Proper pruning is essential when cultivating gardenia. Remove dead branches and leaves promptly, and thin out the buds before flowering. After flowering, remove dead leaves to prevent excessive nutrient consumption. Trimming the top of the plant can encourage branching and more blooms. Timely pruning also helps maintain a beautiful appearance and promotes better growth.
6. Preventing Pests and Diseases
Yellowing disease and leaf spot disease are common in gardenia. Leaf spot disease can be treated with a 65% wettable powder of zinc omadine at 600 times dilution. Common pests include moths, scale insects, and whiteflies, which can be controlled with a 2.5% decis EC emulsion at 3000 times dilution to kill moths. In winter, when temperatures are too low or indoor ventilation is poor, diseases like scale insects can occur. Use a specialized medicine for fungicidal protection.
The above information provides you with the complete content on how to keep gardenia alive and its cultivation methods and techniques. Green plant enthusiasts might find this reference useful.