Most gardeners are aware of the basic principles of how to fertilize and care for their gardenia. However, there are a few important facts that may surprise or confound you. In fact, it takes more than just applying fertilizer to make sure your plant will grow in a healthy and attractive condition. You also need to take into account what type of soil you have, the pH level and the nutrients present before you can fertilize successfully.
The first step is to decide whether you should deadhead your gardenias during the spring or in the fall. Deadheading them in the fall will encourage shoot growth and leaf re-growth while removing any excess nutrients that may have been provided by direct sunlight. When doing so in the spring, it is best to wait until the last frosts have gone away, at which time you will have already moved your gardenia from one zone to the next and taken measures to protect the plant against cold weather.
There are several types of gardenias with varying hardiness zones. Some are ornamental, hardy perennials, while others bloom year-round in warm weather and are used as houseplants. Some gardenias naturally have beautiful flowers that come in all seasons and bloom at various times of the year. Some are actually native to China and was brought to the New World by shipload, while others were imported from southern Europe and Hawaii.
Jasmine, lemon verbena, plumeria, and orchids are all tropical gardenias. They are low-maintenance, although you will want to provide water and fertilizer when necessary. If your climate is very warm and sunny for most of the year, you can keep gardenias, even jasmine, protected from harsh winter conditions by clipping some of the leaves off the plant annually. You can pinch the stem between the leaves, or use a snout snaker to take the whole plant away if it is so inclined.
Some of these gardenia plants are really ornamental, with thick green, glossy foliage. The lemon verbena blooms in full sun, producing bright pink flowers in April and May. Plump, blue gardenias also do well with full sun, blooming as early as January in some varieties. Full shade tolerant gardenias are perfect for southern states with a mild winters. Partial shade tolerant plants should be kept in shady areas during the summer.
For a successful harvest, the stalk should be cut below the node or stem and the leaf should be removed. Cut about one inch above the node. Do not take all of the leaves off, keep the central cluster intact and remove any yellow or brown hairs along the stems or leaves. Dig the hole about two to three inches deeper than the original planting. In sunny climates the gardenia bush will flourish, but in northern regions, it will flower later and the soil more slowly than in southern states.
If the gardenia plant is fully blossom and in good health, it will bloom profusely throughout the season, especially when watered. However, when the blooms fade and the soil is warm and moist, the plant will stop producing new blooms and the soil will become dry and hard. If you live in an area with a cool, wet summers and mild winters, this dry landscape feature can make your gardenia plant suffer.
Deadheading your gardenia plant is simple to do, and the rewards of doing so will last a lifetime. The rich, vigorous bonsai plant you receive as a cut gardenia flower will make a stunning focal point in any home. Keep the cutting short, allowing the flower to spread fully in the soil, and you will have a spectacular bonsai plant that will endure any frost and drought. Best of all, cutting the young, flowering bush short will ensure that your beautiful bonsai plant does not wilt and die.
