Gardenia Not Blooming

RE: Gardenia Not Blooming Post By pooh bear (Guest Post) (06/13/2008) I have a gardenia plant outside that has not bloomed. The buds turn black and turn limp. What can I do? Report Spam or Abuse RE: Gardenia Not Blooming Post by spesialangel (14) | (08/17/2006) Profile | Contact Thank all of you for your replies....at the present time my Gardenia has several buds on it a few of which are about to open.....I guess I needed patience and I also read they bloom in spring and fall. I suppose I had gotten mine after a blooming and now its time for the next one. I would love to have one that lives outside in the ground but havent seen one for sale as of yet. Again thanx for the repsonses. Elaine Report Spam or Abuse RE: Gardenia Not Blooming Post by mef1957 (261) | (07/20/2006) Profile | Blog! | Contact Gardenias should be planted in well conditioned soil containing peat moss and compost. Cultivating around the plants may damage their shallow roots, so the plant should be mulched with 2 to 3 inches of wood chips, sawdust or ground bark to keep the soil moist, cool and weed free. Feed the plants every three weeks during the growing season with a rhododendron-azalea food, or acidifying fertilizer. (Miracid) Proper temperatures are necessary for a gardenia to bloom. This is the most critical aspect. Flower buds will fail to form if day temperatures are higher than 70 degrees or night temperatures are over 65 degrees or less than 60 degrees. The ideal temperature ranges would be 65 to 70 degrees during the day and 60 to 62 degrees at night. Gardenias can be pruned as far back as you like but you should keep a few important details in mind. First, cut plants back when they are dormant ( depending upon where you live). This will allow the stems to "heal their wounds" when the plants aren't actively growing. This way you can still enjoy flowers the next year. When pruning, don't cut all the leaves off. Some leaves need to be left so the plant can still produce food for the root system. The following spring, use an acidic fertilizer with chealeted iron and high nitrogen so the plant can produce healthy leaves and buds. If you only want your plant to become bushier, simply pinch out the tips while the plant is dormant. Pinching will usually promote a heavier bloom the following year. If you are growing your Gardenia as a potted plant indoors, keep it out of direct, hot sun, and allow it to only get bright light. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/gardenia.htm Report Spam or Abuse RE: Gardenia Not Blooming Post by lifewithmadman (12) | (07/18/2006) Profile | Contact I agree with the all day sunshine thought. Ours are taller then our chain link fence and get bigger every year. WE are in the southern states so it gets really hot during the summer. Ours bloom around mothers day and keep blooming until around the end of may. I would go ahead and plant it and if you really want to smell the blooms , plant it under a window. That way when they are blooming all you have to do is open that window. Report Spam or Abuse Request: Gardenia Won't Bloom Post by lewis_admin (1210) | (07/16/2006) Profile | Blog! | Contact Q: I am trying to get my 2nd gardenia plant to bloom. The first one died. Please help! First, small blossoms form, turn black and drop off. I mist it, and give it lots of light. What am I doing wrong? Hardiness Zone: 7b Judy from Portland, OR A: Judy, Gardenias can have problems with blossom drop, especially when grown indoors. Besides too little light and humidity (which doesn't sound like the problem with yours) flower buds can drop from over OR under watering, high temperatures or improper pruning (on outdoor plants). Gardenias also need acidic soil and can benefit from a good azalea fertilizer once per month during the summer. Azalea fertilizer contains sulfur, which helps acidify the soil. For indoor gardenias, place your plant where it will get plenty of light during spring and fall bloom times. Nighttime temperatures should be about 55°F. Make sure the soil stays lightly moist (not wet) and keep the air around the plant humid. If your gardenia is kept outdoors, prune it only to keep the shape of the plant and do it immediately after the plant finishes blooming. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Gardenia Won't Bloom Post by BonnieJene (1) | (10/22/2005) Contact We live in Jalisco Mexico and I was given a dying gardenina about 4 years ago. We planted it in our flower garden and every 3 or 4 months, I put used coffee grounds that I save around the base of the plant. It is gorgeous. Blooms at least 3 times a year and I have gotten 4 other gardenias from this one and am going for 5 & 6 this spring. For us, direct, all day sunshine and the coffee grounds are all we have had to do. Thank you, Bonnie Jene Report Spam or Abuse