Gardenia anyone?

[clintdawley]

Okay..

A friend of mine bought me a gorgeous 4' tall Gardenia jasminiodies (sp?) topiary that is absolutely gorgeous. I enjoyed it for like 5 minutes before I started thinking, "I've never grown this before. I have no idea how to care for it."

Anyone else successfully grow Gardenias? Any pointers would be nice. Will this plant mind our 100 degree plus August days if kept moist? Will they burn up in too much sun? Are they good container plants?

[wetfeet101b]

We have a couple of gardenias in 12-inch pots in the patio.
They can tolerate high temperatures as long as they are not directly under the scorching afternoon sun.
They can also stand our dry, cold winters that can drop to 35F.

One thing to note, these are mealybug and white fly magnets. Make sure you check the plant frequently for any signs of infestation.
However, since these are non-edible plants, you could use a systemic pesticide to prevent any bugs from taking hold in the first place.

[clintdawley]

Thank ya so much

We have a couple of gardenias in 12-inch pots in the patio.
They can tolerate high temperatures as long as they are not directly under the scorching afternoon sun.
They can also stand our dry, cold winters that can drop to 35F.

One thing to note, these are mealybug and white fly magnets. Make sure you check the plant frequently for any signs of infestation.
However, since these are non-edible plants, you could use a systemic pesticide to prevent any bugs from taking hold in the first place.

[Lambert]

They like acidic soil and benefits from chelated iron once in a while.

I agree with John, that they are pests magnets and I still remember a massive scales outbreak that a gardenia started and that spread to some of my orchids.... The flowers smell delicious but never again!

[clintdawley]

That worries me. I will NOT put this thing anywhere near my orchids but on my front porch where nothing else is growing.

They like acidic soil and benefits from chelated iron once in a while.

I agree with John, that they are pests magnets and I still remember a massive scales outbreak that a gardenia started and that spread to some of my orchids.... The flowers smell delicious but never again!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

My parents live in East Texas and have their gardenia planted directly in the yard. It takes the heat and the cold and blooms with amazing, fragrant flowers every year. It was a tiny little thing when we planted it (maybe 4 years ago) and now it is really a nice big plant.

Cheers,
BD

[Molly Taco]

I agree with Bruce, that you can probably plant it outside. They seem to be a little more resistant to the bugs when they are in the ground. We have a gardenia that is 7' X7' and at least 20 years old. It is a bug magnet but I treat it a couple of times a year and fertilize it (which is more than the previous owner did) we get amazing blooms. I just picked the first one this afternoon. Once they are established they are pretty easy.
Good Luck, Cin

[Lizgeo]

Clint, does your gardenia have small leaves like about 1" long?

I think there are two "kinds" of gardenia growing in Houston neighborhood, one with small leaves and lots of small flowers is very hardy, growing very well in the heat; the gardenia I have has bigger (broader) leaves, and less but bigger flowers. It doesn't grow as well as my neighor's small kind

[clintdawley]

Small leaves. After some research I'm convinced this is the dwarf jasminoidies..

Clint, does your gardenia have small leaves like about 1" long?

I think there are two "kinds" of gardenia growing in Houston neighborhood, one with small leaves and lots of small flowers is very hardy, growing very well in the heat; the gardenia I have has bigger (broader) leaves, and less but bigger flowers. It doesn't grow as well as my neighor's small kind