Why do the bottom leaves of gardenias turn yellow?
This article introduces the reasons why the bottom leaves of gardenias turn yellow and how to solve the yellowing problem with a spoonful of vinegar in the aspect of green plants and flowers. Let's take a look together.
Three reasons you must know about yellowing leaves of gardenias, treating the symptoms is the best solution.
Many people enjoy growing gardenias, but it's common for the leaves to turn yellow and fall off when kept at home. What causes this? How should we prevent and treat it?
Actually, the first reason for the yellowing leaves of gardenias is due to the alkalinity of the potting soil. Gardenias, being a flower from the south, prefer acidic soil. When growing them at home, it's best to keep the soil acidic by adding some well-fermented pine needles to the soil. We can also periodically water with ferrous sulfate, once a month or every two months, to ensure that the new leaves do not have green veins with the rest turning yellow. This is the best solution.
The second situation is when the bottom leaves turn yellow and fall off in large numbers, which is mainly caused by a lack of fertilizer. Especially when gardenias are flowering, many gardeners stop fertilizing or barely supplement any nutrients during the care process, or even use garden soil for cultivation, leading to nutrient deficiencies and the bottom leaves turning yellow and falling off. Fertilizer is essential during both the growing and flowering seasons. Generally, a balanced multi-element fertilizer such as a multi-element nutrient solution or compound fertilizer should be used, with a lower concentration, twice or three times a month. As spring approaches and the flowering season begins, switch to phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, ensuring an adequate supply of phosphoric acid and potassium to prevent yellowing leaves.
The third situation is due to improper watering. Gardenias love water, and many gardeners water them excessively, pouring water before the soil is dry. This can lead to poor ventilation indoors and soil accumulation, causing some roots to rot. With some roots rotting, the bottom leaves turn yellow in large numbers, and even the new leaves at the top may turn black and wither. This is a situation where overwatering leads to root rot. If you lack water for a long time, the leaves will wilt, and although they can recover after watering, the bottom leaves will still turn yellow and fall off. If this happens repeatedly, the entire plant will dry up and die. Therefore, when growing gardenias, watering must be controlled properly. Generally, the soil should be well-drained, and the pot should not be too large. The principle of watering is to water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry, which will not cause any problems.
When growing gardenias at home and the leaves turn yellow, dry up, and fall off, these three reasons are the most common. Analyze your situation appropriately, and you won't have any issues. When growing gardenias, always choose a pot of the right size and not too deep. Water when the soil surface is dry and keep it in a well-ventilated area with plenty of sunlight. Do not let the fertilizer be deficient. This way, the gardenias we grow can grow and bloom normally without any problems.
The above sharing on the causes of yellowing leaves at the bottom of gardenias and how to solve the yellowing problem with a spoonful of vinegar, hoping to bring a little help to your life!