To the genus of gardenia are evergreens, as well as shrubs and stunted trees. Gardenia have strong shoots, which, depending on the species, are bare or pubescent. The leaf pattern is whorled, sometimes opposite, the leaves themselves are glossy and have stipules. Plant flowers, as a rule, are solitary, sometimes they are collected in apical or axillary shields of yellow or white color. Flowers have a pleasant aroma.
Gardenia is a plant that can be grown both in compositions and as a single plant.
Care of the plant
As already mentioned above, the gardenia is rather whimsical: it loves heat, humidity and a lot of light. In addition, it takes some time to adapt to the new conditions. The plant can even discard the buds, if you turn the pot slightly by the other side to the light.
Gardening needs to provide scattered, but bright lighting throughout the year. The plant is best to feel near the windows facing west and east. If the windows are facing south, then protect the plant from direct sunlight at a time when the sun is most active. You can use paper or a loose cloth for this. If the windows go to the north, then the plant needs to provide additional lighting.
People living in the middle part of Russia can take gardenia outdoors every summer. However, make sure that it is protected from the sun, drafts and precipitation. If you live in southern regions, then keep the plant in the shade. The leaves of gardenia need to be sprayed from the spray gun a couple of times a day.
In winter, the plant needs additional lighting. To do this, you can use fluorescent lights (LBU, LB), the number of which depends on the size of the illuminated space (per square meter 4 lamps). The light source should be located about 60-70 cm above the plant.
During the formation of buds, gardenia very much does not like changing the source and intensity of light, so there is no need to move the pot with the plant in any way. By the way, buds that have appeared can dry up even if there is a lack of light.
This houseplant will grow and please you with flowers only if you provide the optimum room temperature for it. So, in summer and in spring the temperature should be 22-24C, in autumn it should be gradually reduced to 18C - this will ensure the appearance of kidneys. It is permissible for the air temperature to drop to 16C at night. Remember that the plant can die if you leave it in a draft or freeze the root system. If, during the budding of the kidneys, the air temperature is above 22 ° C, then vegetative shoots will quickly appear instead of the kidneys. In addition, make sure that the temperature of the soil and air is the same.
Watering
During the vegetation period, gardenia requires abundant watering every time after the soil dries. In autumn and winter, the plant is watered 2-3 days after the top layer of the soil has dried. A few months before flowering, that is, in March-April, watering should also be reduced, otherwise the buds will not develop properly.
Soil can not be waterlogged and overdried. Watering the plant is necessary with standing water, which is warmer than room temperature by a couple of degrees. Both the soil and the water must be acidic. To comply with this condition, you can add a few drops of lemon juice into the water or infuse water on the peat. If this is not done, the leaves will decrease in size and turn yellow.
During the formation of buds, it is necessary to ensure high humidity in the room. To do this, place the pot with the plant in a tray filled with wet sphagnum or peat, but make sure that the bottom does not touch the water. Before the buds are dissolved, spray the plant and then stop, because the water that has fallen on the flower can leave brown spots on it, spoiling the appearance. During flowering, it is best to wipe the leaves with a damp sponge.
Additional fertilizing
While the gardenia plant is still young, it needs to be fed with mineral and organic fertilizers a couple of times a month. In this case, the types of fertilizers need to be alternated. Adults gardenias are fed every week from spring to late autumn. Fertilizers should not contain calcium! You can use liquid concentrated products, as well as pefoguminovye fertilizers. If your gardenia yellow leaves, then sprinkle it from the spray with a solution of ferrous sulphate.
After the plant fades, cut off the shoots, leaving half or one-third of the length. Weak shoots can be cut completely. In the vegetative period, protect the upper part of the young shoots - this contributes to the emergence of lateral shoots, as well as the formation of kidneys. From cut shoots, you can get new plants.
Transfer
Transplant gardenia in spring or after flowering, but only if it is really necessary. Although some advise to transplant young gardenia annually, and adults - every 2-3 years, cutting off some of the roots.
The soil, as already mentioned, must be loose, sour and fertile. It is best to mix the sod and coniferous earth, sand and peat in equal parts. However, the acidity of the soil decreases with time to restore it, use water, infused on peat or water with the addition of lemon juice.
Cropped in spring or autumn propagation shoots must be planted in a mixture of sand and peat (in equal parts). Before this, it is desirable to hold the shoots in a solution of potassium permanganate, which should be pale pink. Sometimes shoots give roots in ordinary water. After planting the cuttings, cover the pot with a glass jar or polyethylene. Do not forget to ventilate the plant and moisten the soil. Shoots take roots about a month later, at this time they need to be transplanted into a mixture of peat, sand and coniferous land.
For gardenia are the danger of aphids, scabies and spider mite.