Gardenia - Gardenia sp.
General information:
Shrub with fragrant white flowers, glossy, dark green
leaves.
Family: Rubiaceae
Lighting: Partial
shade to full sun.
Temperature: Zone 7
to 9.
Watering: Do not
allow to dry out and remain dry. Prefers moist soil.
Feeding: Every 2-3
weeks, spring-autumn. Use a fertilizer such as
Miracid, formulated for acid-loving plants, at half-
strength. Do not
fertilize while the plant is in bloom. The plant may
also benefit from
administering chelated iron 2-3 times a year.
Pruning and wiring:
Wire from late spring to autumn, taking care to
protect the delicate bark and branches. Do not wire
while the plant is
setting buds, and wire only lignified shoots. Young
plants should be
pruned after the shoots have developed 4-6 leaves,
trimmimg back to
2-3 to establish branching. Pruning of established
bonsai is best done
following flowering, pruning only once and then allowing
new shoots to
set buds.
Propagation: Tip or
midsection cuttings with wood 6 - 8 weeks old, 4 -
5 inches long with 2 or 3 sets of leaves. Cuttings may
be taken any
time of the year, but summer is best. May be propagated
by grafting
and some cultivars by seeds.
Repotting: Every 1-2
years in late winter or spring, following
blooming. Well drained soil high in organic matter. Soil
pH between
5.0 and 6.5.The roots are superficial and fine, so
drastic root
pruning is not recommended, and it is best if only 10%
of the roots
are removed.
Pests and diseases:
Stem canker distinguished by rough cracked areas
that form cankerous growths near the soil line - destroy
the plant.
Sooty mold, aphids, scales, mealybugs and whiteflies,
cotony cushion,
spider mites, nematodes.
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