Gardenias

[Izhar]

Gardenias are a bit fussy... they need constant but dilute fertilization regularly, otherwise they loose the bottom leaves and branch less..

I have been growing Gardenia taitensis from a cutting and it is among the least demanding of the Gardenia family, easily tolerates high pH... my plant is on buds.. in future I am planing to graft other gardenia varieties on its root stock..

[aykhan]

Good information Izhar. The Gardenia taitensis I have is already grafted on another rootstock! I wonder which one that could be?

[Izhar]

My Gardenia taitensis first bloom.. it has I guess 6 more flower buds:

[aykhan]

Very healthy. Am I right when I say gardenias are probably better suited to Karachi weather due to more humidity and no significant winter?

[UMARKHANMARDAN]

it,s so beautiful & healthy.the foliage is so healthy Izhar.A Y khan sb Gardenias also do well in Islamabad & Peshawar.so they should flower healthy at Lahore.give them filtred sun,plenty of plant compost.try to provide them the PH they need.plnt them in untouched corners.whta i mean do not weed,do not disturb the plants.when you do not weed they get natural compost.if its not working start feros sulphate or spray with micro nutrients tonic with higher iron sulphates.frankly speaking i have never applied any thing to my gardenias & they flower so much for me every year.another thing the green foliaged plants flower more than the verigated foliage plants.now i have started my potted gardenias with feros sulphate as directed by Izhar sb.but in open ground i have never even fertilized them.

[aykhan]

Do you guys pinch your potted gardenias to stop them from getting leggy?

[Izhar]

Keeping other factors constant, the application of Ferrous Sulfate has made a significant difference in overall appearance of Gardenia... and yes they are already getting leggy so I am opting for taking small tip cuttings rather than pinching now..

[aykhan]

How about layering for the spindly stems?

[Izhar]

better than cuttings...

[aykhan]

Best time to layer? July and August during humidity in Lahore?