Description
These plants come from China, Taiwan and Japan, where they reach remarkable heights in the wild. They have waxy-white, beautifully fragrant flowers. The leaves are dark green and glossy. The gardenia is the queen of buttonhole flowers, and in recent years it has also become popular as a pot plant. There are gardenias that flower in summer and others that flower in winter.
In good conditions a gardenia can reach 90–120 cm, growing 10–15 cm a year. The white flowers last a few days, and their scent is reminiscent of jasmine.
Requirements
If the temperature while the buds are forming is right – 18–20°C – the gardenia will not lose its buds. It also needs plenty of light but cannot stand the midday heat. It must not be allowed to dry out. In ideal conditions it can flower for a very long time.
Propagation
Cuttings can be obtained when pruning the gardenia. The right length for cuttings is 8–10 cm. Plant them in a mix of humus, coarse sand and fine peat and keep them warm, at 25°C. After 4–6 weeks, once the cuttings have rooted, move them somewhere cooler. As they grow, they need a larger pot with the same compost mix.
Gardenia seeds can be found in a good garden centre, but propagation from seed is complicated and uncertain.
Care
During flowering the plants must be in full light (but not scorching midday sun). Summer-flowering gardenias can overwinter at 12–15°C, winter-flowering ones at 16–17°C. While the buds are forming, the gardenia needs a night temperature of 18°C, otherwise it will drop them. In a fine summer the gardenia can be put outside.
The gardenia loves high air humidity, so mist it often. During flowering water it generously, and sparingly during the rest period. In summer feed it once a week.
Repot in spring, roughly every two years. The plant does not tolerate soil rich in potassium (or lime). Use a mix of peat, coarse sand and humus. After flowering or when repotting, the plant can be pruned to make it bushier.
When plants get sick
Aphids – can be quite troublesome in summer. Use a chemical treatment.
If the leaves turn yellow or drop – the cause is often lack of water or hard water.
Before you buy
When buying, the plant should be about 20–25 cm tall, well grown, with green, glossy leaves and, above all, lots of buds.
Average lifespan: – it can live a very long time.
Difficulty of care: – it is not one of the easiest plants to care for. But if you meet its requirements for temperature, watering and feeding, you should not have major problems.