How to care for gardenias
A detailed introduction about how to care for gardenias, the editor will introduce to netizens next.
How to care for gardenias, common varieties and types include: large-leaf gardenias, with large and thin leaves, blooming in June with a strong fragrance; walnut-veined gardenias, also known as evergreen gardenias, with small, thick leaves, inconspicuous veins, blooming from May to July; willow-leaf gardenias, with a dwarf plant form, broad lanceolate leaves, blooming from May to July; bird's tongue flowers, also known as water gardenias, a variety of gardenias, with small leaves and flowers, but double-petaled; dwarf gardenias from Huizhou, also known as clove gardenias, with small branches, leaves, and flowers, not exceeding a foot in height, having a dainty and handsome appearance, most suitable for home cultivation.
Gardenias prefer a warm and humid climate, with an optimal temperature of 22-28°C and a relative humidity of over 70%. They can tolerate light frost but not cold, and are suitable for pot cultivation in areas north of the Huai River. They enjoy soft and sufficient sunlight and dislike the dry and hot winds of the old north. During high temperatures, they require sparse shade, dislike prolonged moisture, and require a moderate and steady supply of fertilizer. Pot cultivation needs rich humus, loose and fertile, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 5-6, especially large-leaf and walnut-veined gardenias are sensitive to soil pH. When the pH is above 6.5, the leaves start to turn yellow and then fall off from the bottom up. They have strong resistance to sulfur dioxide and can purify the air, but are afraid of smoke and dust pollution that can cause the leaves to become dry and yellow.
Gardenias are commonly propagated by cutting tender branches, which is easy and has a high survival rate. In the south, this is often done during the plum rain season, using 10-12 cm long tender branches as cuttings, which should be strong, with 3-4 leaves at the top and the rest removed, and planted in a seedbed. It is also possible to do water cutting in the summer, by inserting the cuttings into a round raft made of reed stems floating in a pond to naturally root and survive, then transferred to pots for care. In the north, it is suitable to do pot cutting with a mixture of peat soil and sand in April and May, placing them in a shaded greenhouse with a well-ventilated and moist environment, which takes about 40 days to root and survive, then transferred to pots for separate cultivation. For small-scale home propagation, a wide-mouthed bottle can be used for water cutting in the summer.
How to care for gardenias in the north, for northern potted gardenias, it is necessary to carefully prepare acidic potting soil. Usually a mixture of peat soil, pine needle soil, and sand is used, and an appropriate amount of oil meal or dung powder and 0.1% sulfur powder is added, mixed and stored for a period to integrate the fertilizer and soil, for use when potting or repotting. For small-scale home cultivation, bagged southern flowering plant cultivation soil can be purchased. The bottom hole of the flowerpot should be large, padded with brick and tile particles as a drainage layer. Ensure that the bottom of the pot does not accumulate water. Water appropriately and keep the potting soil moist. Do not let it become too dry or too wet, and frequently spray water to keep the surrounding environment moist. During hot summers, be sure to shade and avoid rain to prevent damage and yellowing of the plants from intense sun and heavy rain.
During the growing period, acidic organic liquid fertilizer should be used, with a thin, decomposed liquid fertilizer applied every 15 days before flowering. Fertilization should stop during flowering, and attention should be paid to moderate watering to extend the blooming period. After autumn cools, move to a sunny area for care, and in winter, place in a bright indoor area with moderate temperature, and maintain fresh and moist air. To prevent leaf yellowing, during the growing season, apply a 1/300 iron sulfate solution or grass water once every 7-10 days. Home cultivation can use aquarium water or cool boiled water for watering. To prevent soil alkalization, it is best to repot and change the soil once a year for better results.
The pH of the cultivation substrate, the temperature and humidity of the cultivation environment, and the degree of soft and sufficient lighting are all key elements in caring for gardenias. The above is the content on how to care for gardenias.
The above is [] a specific introduction to how to care for gardenias, hoping everyone will like it!