本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Gardenia Plant Care
From LoveToKnow GardenGardenia plant care can be a little bit tricky, but if you understand the needs of gardenias you can grow them indoors or outdoors, depending on your climate. When grown as a houseplant, people are often disappointed when their once gorgeous gardenia seems to wither at home. This does not need to be the case. With correct gardenia care you can grow this beautiful, fragrant shrub successfully year round.
Gardenia Basics
The gardenia is an evergreen shrub with dark green, glossy, oval leaves and waxy blooms that range from pale yellow to creamy white. Originating in China and Japan, when grown in the southern gardening zones 9 and 10, it thrives outdoors and can get up to six feet tall depending on the species. Indoors, gardenias want full sun but outdoors they will be happier in partial shade, so you should consider planting gardenias on the east or west side of your home.
Soil Conditions
Well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5 is ideal for gardenias, whether potted or in the ground. During the day, gardenias prefer temperatures from 68 to 74 degrees with a low of 60 degrees at night. Moderate humidity assures a healthy plant but soggy roots cause flower buds to drop, as will soil that is too dry. Adding peat moss to the soil will benefit your plant by helping it retain moisture without becoming too wet.
Watering Guidance
While the gardenia likes humidity, misting the leaves can cause problems. Water droplets can lead to fungal growth on leaves. This is important to keep in mind, if you plant your gardenia outside. You won't want to place it under plants that drip onto its leaves. You must also be careful your plants are not crowded too close together. A lack of air flow also causes fungal issues.
When you water indoor plants, check to see if the top inch of soil is dry by poking your finger into the soil and then give your plant a good soak. Any water that accumulates in the tray under the pot should be drained out. It is a great idea to place gardenias in a pebble filled tray. Water can be poured over the pebbles to provide moisture and humidity without excessive water being absorbed into the soil.
Fertilizing
Monthly fertilizing should be done from April through November. A fertilizer designed for azaleas will also fill the nutritional requirements of your gardenias. Be sure to prune older gardenia stems right after the flowers stop blooming. This encourages new growth as well as more frequent blooming. After all, isn't that why you selected a gardenia to begin with?
Planting Your Gardenia Outdoors
If you are fortunate enough to live in a climate where these tropical plants will grow outdoors, you may want to plant one near a window or patio to fill the air with its intoxicating scent. The process is simple as long as you remember the basics of gardenia plant care: well-drained, acidic soil and adequate fertilization.
First, dig a hole twice the size of the gardenia's root ball. When you place the plant into the hole, be sure the top of the root ball is slightly above the soil's surface. Mound soil around the plant and tamp down to eliminate air pockets. Now water thoroughly and enjoy your new landscape feature.
Gardenia Species
There are actually over 200 species of gardenias, which are members of the Rubiaceae family, but most of them are hybrid varieties. Some species are even thought to have medicinal properties. Please, do not consume any part of a gardenia plant without consulting with an expert first. Some of the most common varieties of gardenia include:
Gardenia Jasminoides--This is the most common type of gardenia, which gets up to two feet tall. It is named for its fragrance which reminds some of jasmine.
Gardenia Thunbergia--Also known as Star Gardenia, this can be grown as a tree or a shrub and gets to be about four feet tall.
Gardenia Nitida--This species gets up to three feet tall and produces white flowers.
Gardenia Radicans Floreplena--This is a Japanese dwarf variety that gets to about 18 inches and produces double blooms.
Common Gardenia Pests
Gardenias are vulnerable to various insects including:
Aphids
Mealy bugs
Spider Mites
Thrips
Scale
Whiteflies
You can see a slideshow of garden pests at Identifying Garden Pests to help you identify possible insect problems on your gardenia plants.
The best way to protect any plant from pests is to keep it healthy and prevent over-crowding. Other common causes of insect problems include allowing too much moisture to sit on the leaves and not maintaining the proper temperature and moisture levels. Keeping gardenias in the proper conditions goes a long way toward protecting them from common pests.
While gardenias are picky about their care, if you are patient and remember the basics of gardenia plant care, your efforts will be rewarded.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
From LoveToKnow GardenGardenia plant care can be a little bit tricky, but if you understand the needs of gardenias you can grow them indoors or outdoors, depending on your climate. When grown as a houseplant, people are often disappointed when their once gorgeous gardenia seems to wither at home. This does not need to be the case. With correct gardenia care you can grow this beautiful, fragrant shrub successfully year round.
Gardenia Basics
The gardenia is an evergreen shrub with dark green, glossy, oval leaves and waxy blooms that range from pale yellow to creamy white. Originating in China and Japan, when grown in the southern gardening zones 9 and 10, it thrives outdoors and can get up to six feet tall depending on the species. Indoors, gardenias want full sun but outdoors they will be happier in partial shade, so you should consider planting gardenias on the east or west side of your home.
Soil Conditions
Well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5 is ideal for gardenias, whether potted or in the ground. During the day, gardenias prefer temperatures from 68 to 74 degrees with a low of 60 degrees at night. Moderate humidity assures a healthy plant but soggy roots cause flower buds to drop, as will soil that is too dry. Adding peat moss to the soil will benefit your plant by helping it retain moisture without becoming too wet.
Watering Guidance
While the gardenia likes humidity, misting the leaves can cause problems. Water droplets can lead to fungal growth on leaves. This is important to keep in mind, if you plant your gardenia outside. You won't want to place it under plants that drip onto its leaves. You must also be careful your plants are not crowded too close together. A lack of air flow also causes fungal issues.
When you water indoor plants, check to see if the top inch of soil is dry by poking your finger into the soil and then give your plant a good soak. Any water that accumulates in the tray under the pot should be drained out. It is a great idea to place gardenias in a pebble filled tray. Water can be poured over the pebbles to provide moisture and humidity without excessive water being absorbed into the soil.
Fertilizing
Monthly fertilizing should be done from April through November. A fertilizer designed for azaleas will also fill the nutritional requirements of your gardenias. Be sure to prune older gardenia stems right after the flowers stop blooming. This encourages new growth as well as more frequent blooming. After all, isn't that why you selected a gardenia to begin with?
Planting Your Gardenia Outdoors
If you are fortunate enough to live in a climate where these tropical plants will grow outdoors, you may want to plant one near a window or patio to fill the air with its intoxicating scent. The process is simple as long as you remember the basics of gardenia plant care: well-drained, acidic soil and adequate fertilization.
First, dig a hole twice the size of the gardenia's root ball. When you place the plant into the hole, be sure the top of the root ball is slightly above the soil's surface. Mound soil around the plant and tamp down to eliminate air pockets. Now water thoroughly and enjoy your new landscape feature.
Gardenia Species
There are actually over 200 species of gardenias, which are members of the Rubiaceae family, but most of them are hybrid varieties. Some species are even thought to have medicinal properties. Please, do not consume any part of a gardenia plant without consulting with an expert first. Some of the most common varieties of gardenia include:
Gardenia Jasminoides--This is the most common type of gardenia, which gets up to two feet tall. It is named for its fragrance which reminds some of jasmine.
Gardenia Thunbergia--Also known as Star Gardenia, this can be grown as a tree or a shrub and gets to be about four feet tall.
Gardenia Nitida--This species gets up to three feet tall and produces white flowers.
Gardenia Radicans Floreplena--This is a Japanese dwarf variety that gets to about 18 inches and produces double blooms.
Common Gardenia Pests
Gardenias are vulnerable to various insects including:
Aphids
Mealy bugs
Spider Mites
Thrips
Scale
Whiteflies
You can see a slideshow of garden pests at Identifying Garden Pests to help you identify possible insect problems on your gardenia plants.
The best way to protect any plant from pests is to keep it healthy and prevent over-crowding. Other common causes of insect problems include allowing too much moisture to sit on the leaves and not maintaining the proper temperature and moisture levels. Keeping gardenias in the proper conditions goes a long way toward protecting them from common pests.
While gardenias are picky about their care, if you are patient and remember the basics of gardenia plant care, your efforts will be rewarded.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net