Why do the leaves of gardenia turn yellow in autumn?
Let me share with you some related knowledge about why the leaves of gardenia turn yellow in autumn, including the reasons for yellow leaves and the treatment methods for green plants. This is some very useful knowledge, so I recommend you save it for future reference! Gardenia is very popular among flower enthusiasts because its leaves remain lush green throughout the year, the flowers bloom beautifully, are large and colorful, and have a strong fragrance. However, many gardeners often encounter yellow leaves when growing gardenias at home, whether it's the bottom leaves turning yellow or the new leaves. What causes this? Let's talk about the main reasons for the yellowing of gardenia leaves.
Firstly, the yellowing of bottom leaves is usually due to insufficient nutrients or water absorption by the roots. For example, if we forget to water it once or twice, some of its fine roots may become dry. Even if we water it later, the bottom leaves will turn yellow extensively, especially if we use garden soil or other easily compacted soil, which may not absorb water well after compaction. Only part of the soil remains moist, leading to yellowing of the bottom leaves. Insufficient fertilization, such as not applying any fertilizer for a long time, can also cause the bottom leaves to turn yellow. Therefore, to prevent the bottom leaves from turning yellow, make sure not to lack water or fertilizer.
The watering principle is to water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry. For fertilizers, choose different types depending on the growth and flowering seasons. During the growing season, use multi-element or nitrogen-rich fertilizers without lacking other elements. During the flowering season, use fertilizers high in phosphorus to promote flowering. By applying this every 2-3 months, following the principle of applying thin and frequent fertilizers, the plant will have sufficient nutrient supply and will not develop yellowing bottom leaves.
The second situation is the yellowing of new leaves, which is common among gardenias grown in the north. The new leaves have green veins but are yellow elsewhere. The main reason is the unsuitable northern soil and water conditions, which are alkaline. After a period of time, this can cause the newly grown leaves to turn yellow. Since gardenias are native to the south and prefer acidic soil, we should try to ensure the soil remains acidic. Regularly water with iron sulfate, diluted at a concentration of 1:1000, once a month or two. This will keep the soil acidic and not deficient in iron, preventing the new leaves from turning yellow. This is a very important point to remember. If you wait until the leaves are extensively yellow before treating them, it will be almost impossible to save the plant because its roots can no longer absorb nutrients.
Gardenias are not difficult to grow. If you encounter these two types of yellow leaves, follow the reasonable treatments and solutions mentioned by Xiaoqi, and you can completely revive the plant. Make sure to place it in a well-lit area as it loves light. Do not prune it in autumn; you can prune it at any other time. Ensure adequate watering and fertilizing, and your gardenia will continuously grow new, large, and shiny leaves. When it flowers, it will bloom in abundance, filling the entire room with fragrance.
The above [] provides a comprehensive introduction to why gardenia leaves turn yellow in autumn, the reasons for yellow leaves, and the treatment methods. I hope this brings some relevant knowledge to green plant enthusiasts.