Curious about gardenias - Orchid Board

Bill U. · #1 03-13-2015, 05:30 PM

Hi everyone,

So I'm relatively new to growing gardenia and have found lots of growing guides online, but I have a question about the buds and how they grow.

Background:

My radicans initially started as a 2" plug that I got from a friend (they bought if from eBay).Right now I'm growing under lights (6500K light color [full spectrum] for about 14 hours). I have it in a 4" azalea pot (short) and just barely 4.25" of growth visible. I keep it well watered, letting it dry out slightly between watering, with weak acid fertilizer applied every other week. Temperatures are 70+°F in my house during the day and drop down to 60°F or so at night, all with about 50% relative humidity in all of my apartment (hence the container growing).

I had gotten lots of leaves before fertilizing but they were showing signs of chlorosis- since I started the fertilizing regimen, chlorosis has gone away. I have noticed that I have what seem to be the start of buds or the bud calyx/sepals with a little baby bud that is inside, but these "bud starts" have not been showing any visible growth, e.g., the buds have not gotten any bigger. I have not had any bud drop, and I keep seeing more of these "bud starts" appearing. The first of the "bud starts" appeared about 2 months ago.

Is there something more that I can do to help develop those into full blooms? Or is the plant just not old enough to fully set blooms?

I can post pictures later as well. Thanks!

WhiteRabbit · #2 03-14-2015, 09:04 PM

Bill U. · #3 03-16-2015, 07:13 PM

Thanks for the Bump, Sonya. Hoping that I might get someone who knows a little bit about it eventually

Leafmite · #4 03-16-2015, 07:53 PM

I haven't grown one in many years but I remember that they like acidic soil, a little extra iron now and then, and kept moist. I used a loose, well-draining mix, kept mine slightly root-bound and damp. I lost mine when I forgot to water it. The blooms will drop if the temperatures change too drastically or if it gets too dry. I don't really remember much about the bud development as it has been a long time so I can't help you there. I am thinking of trying another one now that the kids are grown and life has gotten much calmer. Good luck with yours. Sorry I can't help very much. I hope someone else is able.

Bill U. · #5 03-16-2015, 10:02 PM

Thanks Leafmite! I think I have most of those pretty much covered. So far I haven't had any bud drop- it just looks like they form and then don't really do much of anything haha. Right now it's almost to the point of being even more tantalizing than my orchids *gasp* I also wonder that since it is still relatively small that they are just going to set the buds but it may need more energy to bloom? Or like you said- if they like to be root-bound, I'm not sure that mine has hit that point in the new pot yet. We shall see!

Leafmite · #6 03-16-2015, 11:10 PM

Some plants need time to adjust after being moved to a new pot. It can be pretty stressful, depending on how much the roots are disturbed. Gardenias are not terribly fussy. Just give it a bit of time and it should be fine.

cbuchman · #7 03-17-2015, 03:41 PM

I've had a no-name hybrid for about 45 years now. yes the same plant. The buds appears all over it and then when it gets warmer/sunnier in the spring, they swell rapidly and open. I suspect that your little plant is just preparing to bloom.

I water mine when it is dry and feed it when I think about it. My biggest problem is mealiebugs which I treat with a systemic, Bonide, and an alcohol/soap spray.

Ordphien · #8 03-17-2015, 05:49 PM

Radicans in particular will wait till warmer weather to swell its buds out.
Congrats on growing it. I find radicans to be the hardest of all my gardenia cultivars to grow.

estación seca · #9 08-04-2015, 03:39 AM

Gardenias don't grow much until it's good and warm. Your 70F in the winter is not what they would consider warm, so they would not be expected to grow much at all. They like lots of light, acid soil and lots of fertilizer. Humidity doesn't matter to the African species like radicans. They grow in full sun here in Phoenix if watered and fertilized well.

Bill U. · #10 08-07-2015, 09:19 AM

Thanks estación seca! That would explain why it did so well when it was over 70F in my apartment and not doing so well now that I'm back home in my parent's freezing house (Air conditioning is blasting). I will keep trying to get it to survive and thrive though! In the meantime, do any of you have a particular recommendation for a variety that would do well in apartment-type climes?