Gardenia jasmine is a member of the madder family and evergreen shrub. In indoor conditions, this plant grows up to 50 centimeters, while in natural or greenhouses it can reach one and a half meters. Flowers are single, and also collected in inflorescences, up to 6 pieces in each. They reach 7 centimeters in diameter, have a white color and a very pleasant smell. Gardenia blooms in summer and even in autumn.
Gardenia Jasmine - Plant Care
This flower loves frequent spraying, which in hot weather must be done several times a day. It is also necessary to constantly remove yellowed flowers and leaves. Jasmine gardenia is trimmed in spring and autumn. The plant is very beautiful, but requires increased care. In order to get a healthy and actively flowering instance, you will have to make a lot of effort. Particular attention must be paid to the soil that you have chosen to plant, it should not be very acidic. In the cold season, overcooling of the soil should not be allowed, and the plant does not tolerate drafts.
In order to succeed in growing gardenia, the following conditions must be met:
- Since jasmine gardenia is a thermophilic plant, in winter the temperature should not be lower than 16, but at the same time not more than 22 ° C. If the temperature is higher than this indicator, then it is necessary to maintain high humidity. Significant temperature fluctuations in the room must not be allowed.
- For the plant to develop well, it must be on the sunny side, but it must be closed and prevent direct sunlight. If this happens all the time, then burns will appear on the leaves. In winter, the plant calmly tolerates direct sunlight.
- In the spring-summer period, jasmine gardenia requires frequent and plentiful watering, in winter it is slightly reduced. The plant does not like both overdrying the soil and stagnation of water in it. Water for irrigation should be taken only soft, and it should be warm.
- It is recommended to feed indoor gardenia flowers during flowering and active growth twice a month. For this, liquid potash fertilizers are used, but the dose is taken half as much as indicated in the instructions. Also, twice a year, it is necessary to introduce iron-containing preparations, which will reduce the level of soil acidity.
- Gardenia should be constantly sprayed, but only warm and soft water should be used. When spraying, it is necessary to avoid getting it on the opened flowers, as well as on the buds.
- A plant is usually transplanted after two years, it must be carried out in the spring. The soil acidity for a comfortable gardenia should be in the range of pH 4.5-5.5. Also, when laying a flowerpot, it is necessary to provide for the presence of good drainage.
- This plant propagates by cuttings, which are harvested in February and March. During their rooting, it is also necessary to carry out spraying. It is possible to root cuttings both in soil and in water, and root stimulants can be used.
Possible growing difficulties
If the plant has little light, the leaves will turn yellow, there will be no flowering. In this case, you need to choose another place for the flower.
When yellow stains appear on the leaves, it is necessary to increase the acidity of the soil. When in a room where gardenia is grown, the low temperature, that is, less than 16 degrees, flowers and buds begin to crumble, therefore, the temperature regime favorable for gardenia should be strictly observed.
If there is lime in the soil or it is not sufficiently acidic, the plant will not bloom.
Also, the plant can be affected by various pests, upon detection of which it is necessary to carry out treatment with an insecticide.