Growing Gardenias

Growing Gardenias

Variety: Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides
Zones: 7 to 11
Soil Type: Fertile, well-drained soil.
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.0
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Average to heavy water needs.
Fertilizer: Balanced general garden fertilizer.
Availability: Sold potted plants. When buying plants, look for healthy plants 10" to 12" high, with glossy deep-green leaves. Potted plants should have plenty of flower buds already in place.

When to plant: Gardenias can be planted anytime after the threat of frost is past.

Planting Method

Live plants: Plant gardenias in rich, well-drained soil amended with peat moss. Dig a hole slightly wider than the gardenia's container and deep enough to be level with the soil in the container. Gently remove the gardenia from the container and loosen the roots by hand. Place the plant in the hole and backfill firmly with soil. Soak the area around the plant to compress the soil.

Watering
Keep soil moist (not damp) until your gardenias become established. Water deeply every three or four days thereafter.

Fertilizing
Feed newly planted gardenias lightly with a balanced garden fertilizer every six to eight weeks. Established gardenias should be fertilized every two months, spring through fall.

Production
Gardenias bloom in early to mid summer. A gardenia plant sill produce dozens of white to cream colored flowers.

Harvesting
Gardenia flowers may be cut using a sharp knife or garden shears. Gardenia blossoms are not very efficient at drawing water thorough their stems-float you harvested blooms in a bowl of water.

Diseases
Stem Canker: Rough, cracked areas near the soil line develop cankerous growth. Stem canker enters gardenias through wounds in the plant. Avoid damage to the main stem. Infected gardenias must be removed to avoid spread of the disease.

Sooty Mold: Appears as a black powder on leaves. Although it doesn't harm leaves, it interferes with photosynthesis by blocking sunlight. Sooty mold is associated with insect infestation. Controlling pests will eliminate this condition.

Pests
Aphids: Small, soft-bodied insects that suck moisture from plants. Ladybugs are a great way to control aphids. Consider insecticidal soaps as an alternative to pesticides.

Thrips: These tiny, yellow or tan insects eat the pollen from plant blossoms. An infestation of thrips can lead to undersized or malformed fruit. Remove infected blossoms and treat plant with insecticidal soap.

Spider Mites: Tiny cousins of spider and scorpions, spider mites may appear red to brown or yellow to green. Spider mites damage leaf cells as they suck moisture from them. Plants infested by spider mites may have brown or tan speckled leaves. Ladybugs are a natural predator of spider mites. Sharp blasts of water from a hose can dislodge spider mites and insecticidal soaps can be effective as well.

Cleanup
Gardenias may be pruned after blossoms fade. Pruning after September will limit flower production the following year.

Saving Seeds
Grafting is the preferred method of propagation for commercial gardenias.