Secrets of successfully growing jasmine gardenia at home. How to properly care for gardenia jasmine room at home Gardenia jasmine care at home

For gardenia jasmine-like care at home is very difficult. It belongs to the evergreen tropical plants of the Rubiaceae family. And, like all southern cultures, it is very demanding and extremely capricious in care. At the slightest discrepancy with her usual conditions, she instantly discards buds, flowers, and then all the leaves. If you do not immediately rush to satisfy all the vital needs of the plant, but it will simply die.

brief information

The birthplace of the flower is considered to be China. In the wild, it is found in Southeast, East Asia and southern Africa. Small trees or shrubs can reach a height of 2 m. There are more than 250 varieties of gardenia in botany.

Gardenia jasmine is a purely indoor variety, it rarely exceeds 50 cm in length. It is a small bush with bare branches, on which rather large glossy leaves of a rich dark green color are located. The leaf blade is oval with an elongated tip. Large, double, exclusively white flowers exude a delicate and delicate aroma, which has a clear resemblance to jasmine. Abundant and luxurious flowering can last several months.

The scientific name is Gardenia jasminoides. In everyday life, it is called Cape jasmine, Augustan gardenia and royal gardenia.

The main principles of care

The subtropical plant stubbornly does not want to change its habits and requires the creation of conditions close to natural. Caring for gardenia in our apartments is extremely troublesome.

The flower loves good lighting, but direct sunlight is detrimental to it. The most comfortable location will be the windowsills of the western and eastern directions. North windows are not suitable, as there is not enough light. There is an option for additional lighting, but not the fact that this will suit your plant. South windows can be hung. We must try to move and carry the pot as little as possible. Gardenia hates sudden movements in space. During the period of budding and flowering, it is not recommended to even simply unfold it. The length of daylight hours is required to withstand at least 12 hours.

The temperature regime should remain within +22…+24°C in spring and summer months and +16…+18°C in autumn and winter. Sudden temperature changes, even short-term ones, are not allowed. The flower does not tolerate drafts, so in the summer it is better not to take it out on the balcony. In winter, care must be taken to ensure that the plant does not overcool the root system. To do this, put foam or other insulation under the pot.

Humidity and watering

Jasmine gardenia is very demanding on air humidity. To maintain the required level of humidity, 2 methods are used:

Spraying 1-3 times a day, depending on the season. In summer more often, as the temperature is higher. This is done carefully and carefully, the drops should not fall on the leaves and flowers. From moisture, ugly brown or yellow spots may remain on them. Humidify the air around the plant. For the same reason, the buds may fall off.

The pot is placed in a tray of water filled with expanded clay or pebbles. It is very important that the bottom of the pot is not in water, as this can damage the roots. Water, evaporating from the container, creates the desired humidity.

The approach to watering is also no less reverent. The soil should be constantly moist, but never wet. Watering is carried out after the top layer has dried and only superficially. It is in this embodiment that the flower receives the greatest amount of nutrients. In winter, watering is significantly limited, carefully making sure that the soil does not dry out, and occasionally moistening it. Once every 2-3 weeks, it is recommended to water with slightly acidified water (acetic, citric or malic acid). Sourness should not be tasted. Water is taken at room temperature, soft and settled. Ideally, it is preferable to use rain or melted liquid.

Soil and fertilizer

Gardenia indoor grows well only in nutrient-rich, loose and acidic soils. You can purchase ready-made mixes for azaleas and roses from the store or cook them yourself. For this, the following components are taken in equal proportions:

coniferous land;

red riding peat;

leaf land;

sod land;

washed coarse sand.

To give more looseness to the soil for gardenia, it is recommended to add perlite and vermiculite. It is very useful to mix sphagnum, which is able to acidify the soil.

As a drainage, pre-boiled expanded clay is used. It is boiled to remove excess salt from the pores, which adversely affects the roots.

Top dressing is carried out during the entire growing season 1 time in 10-15 days. In winter, the plant is in a dormant period and it is not required to fertilize it.

Most of all, gardenia needs potassium-phosphorus fertilizers. Nitrogen is needed to stimulate leaf growth. Preparations containing magnesium and calcium are completely contraindicated for the plant, because they reduce the acidity of the soil, and this is fraught with a complete replacement of the soil. The flower responds very well to fertilizing with iron chelate. It is useful to use manure or compost from oak leaves, as they are natural oxidizing agents.

Transplant and pruning

We usually try to immediately transplant a plant that has just been brought from the store into a pretty pot. But in the case of gardenia, this number will not work. For her, the change of residence is a huge stress. Therefore, it is necessary to give her a couple of weeks to acclimatize. If you got a flowering plant, you will have to wait until the end of flowering and only then perform all the necessary manipulations with the flower.

Plants that have not reached the age of three are transplanted annually, while adults need only 1 transplant every 3-4 years. The procedure is carried out after the end of flowering, that is, at the end of autumn or at the beginning of winter.

Young bushes simply roll over, trying not to damage the earthen ball. A layer of drainage is poured into a slightly larger pot, then the plant is placed there. The voids are filled with the desired substrate.

Older bushes do not always require larger pots. But the soil is depleted, drainage holes are silting up, and transplanting becomes necessary. The technology is like this:

the flower is removed from the pot;

the old soil is carefully shaken off the root system;

overgrown roots are pruned;

places of cuts are processed with crushed coal and any root growth stimulator;

the plant is planted in an old pot, all free spaces are filled with fresh substrate;

the pot returns to its original place.

Gardenia pruning is carried out annually after flowering. It is decorative in nature and aims to give the plant greater aesthetics. Weak and too long shoots are removed so that the flower looks neat and compact.

Diseases and pests

With improper care, the appearance of the plant changes. Gardenia lets us know that there is something wrong with her. The following situations can happen with a flower:

In gardenia jasmine, the leaves turn black and fall off. The reason is improper watering, as a result of which the root system began to rot. The same situation occurs when the soil has become too dense, heavy and unable to remove excess moisture. Resuscitation measures consist in an urgent transplant, in which rotten roots are cut off from the plant and the substrate is completely changed.

Leaves turn yellow. Indicates that the plant is too moist or there is water left in the pan. The reason may be watering with hard tap water, in which the acidity of the soil is disturbed. Salvation will be top dressing with nitrogenous and ferrous fertilizers. If the flower is cold or the water for irrigation is too cold, then it can also signal yellowing foliage.

Leaves are falling. It happens with any gross and prolonged violation of the rules of maintenance and care.

Often there are situations when gardenia stubbornly does not want to bloom or sheds formed buds. The reasons may be:

insufficient lighting;

drafts;

a sharp movement in space, a change in temperature or lighting;

overdrying of the soil due to insufficient watering;

excessive watering, leading to stagnation of moisture.

Attack gardenia and pests. It can be:

spider mite;

mealybug;

In all cases, fungicide treatment and removal of damaged leaves will be required.

Any mistakes and shortcomings in care provoke the development of diseases or the invasion of harmful insects. By carefully observing all the features of the content, you can avoid all these misfortunes.

Hydrangea jasmine in care is very similar to gardenia. She is almost as naughty. They are very often confused, and they do have some similarities. But these are completely different plants, and their conditions of detention are different. What is suitable for one flower may be extremely harmful for another.

Having figured out once how to care for the pride of the room, you will no longer have questions about this. One has only to carefully observe your pet, and he will thank with his truly imperial luxurious flowering.

Among all indoor plants, jasmine gardenia stands out for its high decorative effect. This small compact shrub is densely covered with dark green leaves and profusely covered with white or cream buds during flowering.

Under natural conditions, gardenia is found in the warm climate of Africa, India and China, and although there are more than 200 varieties of this plant, it is customary to grow only jasmine gardenia at home. However, when planning the cultivation of this flower, it should be borne in mind that it is very sensitive to growing conditions and requires careful care.

Gardenia jasmine - a brief description

Under natural conditions, the height of an adult bush can reach two meters, but indoor species, in particular, jasmine gardenia, rarely exceed a height of 50 cm (Figure 1).

Note: Gardenia can be considered a worthy replacement for a rose, because it is not inferior to the queen of flowers either in the splendor and beauty of the inflorescences, or in their aroma, but at the same time it is less demanding to care for.

Jasmine gardenia can be grown both indoors and outdoors, but the latter method is only suitable for regions with a warm climate. Outwardly, the plant resembles a small shrub with dense dark green leaves, and during the flowering period it is covered with lush white inflorescences with a pleasant smell. It is noteworthy that the flowering period of the culture is quite long: it begins in mid-summer and lasts until October.

Optimal growing conditions

Under natural conditions, gardenia is undemanding to the growing environment, but at home it needs a lot of attention, since this culture still belongs to the tropical.

Let us consider in more detail what care should be provided to the culture when it is grown at home.

Lighting

The main requirement for growing is optimal lighting. When buying this flower, you must immediately choose a permanent location for it, since the culture reacts very negatively to any rearrangements, and can drop leaves and buds.

Figure 1. External features of jasmine gardenia

The best place for a plant is considered to be the eastern or western window sill: the light on them is quite diffused, but at the same time, the flower will not be affected by direct sunlight, which can cause the leaves and buds to fall off. In winter, the plant needs additional lighting, since a lack of lighting in the cold season can also cause foliage to fall.

In summer, a flower can be put on a balcony or veranda, but it is important to ensure that direct sunlight does not fall on its leaves, and the plant itself is not in a draft. Particular attention should be paid to the root system of the culture, since hypothermia of the roots can cause diseases or even cause the death of the flower.

Temperature

Jasmine-like gardenia belongs to heat-loving crops, therefore, both in summer and in winter, it is necessary to provide it with an optimal temperature regime.

In winter, the temperature should not fall below + 16 + 20 degrees. If the room is warmer, flower buds will begin to develop on the plant, and the culture itself will not rest until the start of a new flowering period. With a decrease in optimal performance, hypothermia and rotting of the roots may begin, and the flower will die.

In summer, it is desirable to protect the culture from direct sunlight and overheating. The optimal temperature is considered to be + 22 + 24 degrees, and to maintain it at the right level, you need to regularly ventilate the room, avoiding drafts.

How to care at home

Under natural conditions, the culture grows in regions with a warm climate, so it can be grown in open ground only in the southern regions, and in this case, the flower does not need special care.

If you plan to grow jasmine-like gardenia at home, you should consider that for this plant it is necessary to create special conditions that will be as close as possible to the natural habitat. The main points associated with the cultivation of this crop will be described below.

Watering and humidity

Since the jasmine gardenia is a resident of the tropics, it should be provided with a sufficiently high and uniform humidity at home. To do this, a flower pot can be placed on a tray with wet expanded clay and regularly sprayed leaves or rinsed under a warm shower.

During this procedure, it is necessary to ensure that water does not fall on flowers or soil. Moisture that has fallen on the petals can provoke the formation of dark spots, and water entering the soil will cause waterlogging of the substrate and the plant may die.

As for watering, the culture prefers regular but moderate watering. The substrate must be constantly moist, but without standing water at the roots. The plant should be actively watered only in summer, while in winter it is reduced to a minimum, since at this time of the year the culture begins a period of vegetative dormancy.

For irrigation, it is better to use settled or rain water, and every 2-3 additions of moisture, it is recommended to apply irrigation with a special liquid. To do this, a few drops of lemon juice are diluted in a liter of water, and surface watering is carried out with the resulting liquid. This procedure will help to better saturate the roots of the plant with nutrients.

Soil and top dressing

Since the soil in closed pots quickly loses nutrients, fertilizing should be carried out regularly. It is better to apply fertilizers during the period of active growth and flowering of the crop.

Note: As a rule, top dressing is carried out 1-2 months after crop transplantation. If you recently bought a gardenia in a store, you can not apply fertilizer at all, since the store substrate contains a sufficient amount of nutrients.

As a rule, special fertilizers for azaleas are used to feed crops, but complex mineral fertilizers can also be applied foliarly. It should be borne in mind that when fertilizing, the soil should be moderately moist so that the nutrients go directly to the roots.

pruning

Regular pruning should also be a mandatory step in gardenia care. It is carried out not only to preserve health, but also the decorativeness of culture. It is necessary to regularly remove dry and damaged branches that can become a source of diseases, as well as form a shrub crown to preserve its decorative effect.

Pruning is best done immediately after flowering is complete. At this time, the culture begins to prepare for a period of vegetative dormancy, and will not experience much stress from removing or shortening branches. However, it should be borne in mind that newly acquired plants are left without pruning in the first year.

Features of winter care

Despite the fact that in winter the plant enters a phase of vegetative dormancy, it needs no less careful care. First of all, in winter it is necessary to provide additional lighting, since the lack of sunlight can greatly weaken the culture.

The temperature in the room should not fall below +10 degrees, as this can provoke leaf fall. The soil in the pot must be maintained in a moderately moist state, and also ensure that the plant is not in a draft, as hypothermia of the roots can cause diseases and even lead to the death of the entire plant.

How to transplant gardenia at home

Often it is not necessary to transplant indoor jasmine-shaped gardenia. Young plants require this procedure no more than once a year, and adults - once every 2-3 years. At the same time, in adult specimens, a partial anti-aging pruning of the roots is necessarily carried out.

Figure 2. Flower transplant at home

Transplanting is best done in the spring or immediately after the end of the flowering period, since at this time the culture will not experience much stress from this procedure (Figure 2).

Gardenia transplantation at home is carried out as follows:

1. The plant is carefully removed from the old pot along with an earthy clod, the roots are inspected and dry or damaged parts are cut off.
2. The culture is placed in a new pot with a layer of drainage on the bottom and the space of the container is filled with special soil for azaleas. You can also use a homemade substrate, consisting of coniferous, sod, peat soil and sand in equal proportions.
3. After that, the pot should be slightly shaken so that the soil is evenly distributed over the container, completely fill the pot with soil, slightly compact the topsoil and water.

After the transplant is completed, the gardenia should be put in a permanent place and provide good lighting without exposure to direct sunlight. It should be borne in mind that the adaptation of a flower to a new pot takes about 3 weeks. During this time, the leaves may begin to fall off, but this process does not require intervention: the gardenia will gradually recover and be covered with new leaves.

Reproduction: rooting cuttings

Rooting cuttings is considered the best way to propagate gardenia. To do this, use parts of the apical shoots that are partially lignified (Figure 3).

Harvesting cuttings is best in spring or autumn. After cutting, the branches are placed in wet sand or peat. Before these, it is desirable to treat the cuttings with a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.

Figure 3. Culture propagation by cuttings

The container with the cuttings must be covered with a glass jar or film, and it is better to keep the shoots in a warm room at a temperature of +25 degrees. Every day it is necessary to carry out airing and moisten the top layer of soil. As a rule, the rooting process takes a month, after which the sprouts can be transplanted into separate pots with a nutrient substrate.

How to deal with diseases and pests

Gardenia quite often becomes a victim of pests. As a rule, thrips, aphids, scale insects or spider mites pose a danger to the culture. If pests are found, it is necessary to immediately treat with insecticides, and if the damage turned out to be serious, the treatment is repeated several times with an interval of 7-10 days until the insects are completely destroyed.

Gardenia diseases are mainly associated with a deterioration in the appearance of a flower due to improper care. For example, if the leaves turn pale, and the buds fall off or do not form at all, the plant lacks light or nutrients. Falling buds can also be associated with improper flower maintenance in winter: it must be remembered that in order to lay flower buds, the temperature in the room in winter should not rise above +15 degrees.

The video shows how jasmine gardenia is transplanted at home.

Jasminoid gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) can be a wonderful decoration for your home if you can provide it with proper care. Snow-white flowers with a specific texture and somewhat reminiscent of a rose, as well as a delicate aroma, similar to the smell of jasmine. However, in order for the plant to bloom and please the eye for a long time, you need to know the main rules for caring for gardenia.

The flower is very capricious. Flower growers are sometimes frightened by the difficulties that are an indispensable attribute of painstaking care of him, namely the difficulty of observing the temperature regime, proper feeding and watering, and transplanting a plant. But if you are not afraid of them, then you will end up with an attractive decor element that blooms for several months in a row and can decorate the gardener's room. It is also necessary to mention the healing properties of the plant.

General information

Jasmine gardenia is also known as common gardenia or mantle jasmine. It is an evergreen flowering plant from the Rubiaceae family. It first appeared in Asia and over time began to appear more and more often in areas of Vietnam, South China, Taiwan, Japan, Myanmar and India.

Thanks to its shiny green leaves and fragrant white flowers, Jasmine gardenia is very popular among garden plant enthusiasts and is also one of the most popular houseplants in temperate areas. It was grown in China for about a thousand years, until it was sent to Great Britain in the 18th century and became widespread there. Over time, many cultivars have been bred specifically for horticulture - low growing, as well as a few large and long flowering forms.

For the first time, gardenia jasmine-shaped flowers were described by the English botanist John Ellis in the middle of the 18th century, almost immediately after the flower was sent to England. It got its name because of the association with the painted picture of the artist, and part-time botanist, George Dionysius Eret. He depicted a flower that everyone associated with this particular flower. So gradually the name took root and became its scientific name. Previously, the name Cape Jasmine stems from the version that jasmine-shaped gardenia originated on the territory of the Cape of Good Hope.

Evidence of the cultivation of gardenia jasmine flowers in China dates back to the Song Dynasty, where wild and double forms of the flower were depicted in the paintings of Emperor Hu Zong by the artist Xu Xi. During the Yuan Dynasty, the flower could be seen on lacquerware, during the Ming Dynasty, on porcelain. Gardenias were seen in nurseries in Guangzhou in the late 18th century by the English statesman Sir John Barrow. Meanwhile, it was first distributed in England by James Gordon and sold well thereafter. In the USA, it was first grown in Charleston in the Alexander Garden.

orhide.ru

If you follow the symbols

Despite the popularity of gardenia, little is known about it. It is not easy to find legends or stories associated with this flower. Although, for example, its smell competes with the aroma of a rose, which has many of them. The "Language of Flowers" reveals the meaning of gardenia in different ways in different nations.

• So, the Japanese have a secret love.
• For the Chinese, it represents the 11th month of the calendar. They see in her feminine grace, fragility, characteristic of artistic natures.

And how can this be correlated with the fact that gardenia, like all madder plants, belongs to entomophilous plants? That is, abundantly secreting nectar and a sharp but delicate smell, it thereby attracts not us, but insects. Do you think that only butterflies, bees or bumblebees? It turns out that even bats can pollinate it?! The deceptive appearance of tenderness misleads everyone. The true power of gardenia is understood only when you can see a two-meter beauty in natural conditions, and not in indoor pots.

Not only a decorative flower

In India, Korea and China, they do not forget about the magical healing properties of gardenia, using everything - bark, fruits, roots. Decoctions of gardenia have antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. They help with insomnia and overwork. And the flowers of some of its species are a great tea flavor.

It is no coincidence that in the collections of many fragrance magicians there is a bright note of gardenia, so reminiscent of jasmine. Back in 1925, Gardenia Chanel appeared. The thick and delicate amber of this plant is felt in the spirits of Malone, Laude, Kors. These perfumes are for stylish and strong natures.

One of the most beautiful modern incarnations for passionate and sensual women created by Bergman is Black Gardenia. The magical note of gardenia in Gorgeous Gardenia at Gucci beckons and teases. And in the debut collection of Gunzburg "Opulent Rve" - ​​a dedication to gardenia, bright and juicy.

Many consider her to be capricious, therefore they deprive themselves of the pleasure of owning a living flower. How wonderful that you can use the creations of perfumers to inhale and enjoy the delicate scent of gardenia when you want ...

www.florets.ru

The main features of gardenia

The main features of the flower are described below.

The flower loves moderate heat

• During the day, the optimum temperature will be within 22 - 24 ° C, and at night not less than 15 ° C, and even better if the temperature does not fall below 18 ° C, naturally a plus.
• This applies to the content of gardenia in the warm season, but in winter, the plant feels better at a temperature of about 15 - 16 ° C.
• Reducing the heat received in winter will allow the plant to more easily survive the period when there is a clear lack of sunlight.
• A short-term decrease in temperature to 10°C is acceptable, but this is undesirable.

At home, everyone chooses the method of arranging the temperature regime for himself, for example, you can take care of the plant by placing it in a well-ventilated room. At the same time, it is necessary to protect the plant from cold drafts.

light-loving plant

This plant cannot grow without sufficient lighting, but still, you should not leave it in the open scorching sun for a long time.

As with temperature, moderation is also important in lighting. In summer, the window sill of the southwest window will be the best placement of the flower, but in winter, it should be placed closer to the light.

Optimum humidity – high and even

Gardenia does not like sharp and frequent changes in air humidity, and the air is warm and dry and does not tolerate it at all. This significantly complicates care - it is imperative to ensure constant humidification of the atmosphere around the plant. At home, the easiest and most effective way is to put a flowerpot on a wide tray with expanded clay poured into it and make sure that it is constantly wet.

On particularly hot days, the plant will be easier if it is regularly sprayed with settled water. But just do not water the flowers, stains may form on them.

Watering should be plentiful, but moderate

Water the plant often, but not very much. It is enough to maintain a constant soil moisture. In summer, the topsoil of the flowerpot can be an indicator of the need for watering. As soon as it dries up, the plant needs watering, but in winter, the drying of the soil is not allowed, but the volume of watering is greatly reduced.

The plant is very sensitive to water quality.

• If watering is carried out with tap water, it is pre-boiled and defended.
• For irrigation, use only the upper half, carefully draining it, trying not to shake the sediment.
• You can also use rain water, and melt water in winter, but only if your region is not polluted by emissions from harmful industries.

Once a week, additional care is required - a few drops of lemon juice should be added to the irrigation water. Most organics are well absorbed in an acidic environment, so this measure will help the plant eat better.

Gardenia loves acidic soils.

At home, it is best to plant gardenia in a mixture, specially prepared from specialized stores - soils for gardenias and azaleas. But the matter does not end with the purchase of high-quality soil - the flower grows and gradually "eats" the nutrient components of the soil, so it needs to be regularly acidified and fed.

Soils based on sand, perlite and sphagnum are best suited. Such soil drains very well, while being able to hold the right amount of water.

gardennikam.com

How to care for gardenia at home

As already noted, gardenia is a bright and worthy representative of the madder family, whose homeland is China, South Africa, India and Japan. The plant looks very beautiful, bushy, and its flowers are very fragrant. They are mainly represented by nature as small evergreen shrubs, less often by small trees. In general, approximately 250 varieties of gardenia are common, but only Gardenia jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides) is known for keeping at home.

In room conditions, you can get a squat bush, about 45 - 50 centimeters in height. Gardenia leaves have an intense dark green color with a glossy sheen.

Location and light

Gardenia is light-loving, so it is very important to put it in a place where enough light will fall on it. Northern windows for her won't fit.

• Also Not recommended install a pot with this plant on the southern windowsills, since gardenia is very sensitive to direct ultraviolet rays.
• Perfect option gardenia locations - east or west windows.
• During the period of active development of buds strictly not recommended rearrange the gardenia pot to another place, as well as unfold it.
• This plant very sensitive refers to any change in its position, and such changes often cause the buds to drop.

sad-doma.net

Watering

Watering gardenia in spring and summer should be plentiful and be sure to monitor the light soil moisture. In whatever season watering is done, in no case should you use cold water. Water for irrigation should be soft. It will be beneficial for the plant to use boiled and filtered rainwater. In winter, water the plant should be moderate. For gardenia just can't stand it overdried earth lump, but it is also impossible to allow water to stagnate in the roots.

illumination

Gardenia is very fond of light, so she certainly needs to provide full coverage for the whole day. However, it must be isolated from the summer midday sun and exposure to its direct ultraviolet rays.

• The most suitable placement is near the western and eastern windows, which are not shaded by any trees.
• For winter - it can be placed near the southern windows.
• Gardenias are sensitive to changes in light.
• At the time when the buds are laid and developing, rearrangement and unfolding of the pot is contraindicated, which can cause the buds to fall off.

Temperature

Gardenia is very good not only for light, but also for heat.

• The optimal recommended temperature for the spring-summer season will be from 22 to 24 degrees.
• For the winter period, the recommended temperature, although slightly, is lower - from 18 to 20 degrees.
• The minimum allowable temperature is 16 degrees.
• The most acceptable air temperature for gardenia to form a bud is 18 degrees, but the roots should not be in icy soil.
• You should also be wary of sudden changes in temperature.

For a while, the development of the buds should be provided with high humidity, since exposure to dry air can stop the growth of the buds and lead to their abscission. It is advisable if the pot with the plant will stand in a pan where wet expanded clay or sphagnum will be located, but contact of the bottom of the pot with water should be avoided.

Fertilizer

At a time when gardenia is actively growing, it is useful to spray the crown, because during this period the plant, more than ever, needs increased air humidity. During spraying, do not allow moistening of gardenia flowers and buds.

During the period when gardenia is actively growing, namely from March to August, it must be fertilized at intervals of two weeks. This should be a liquid fertilizer that should be suitable for flowering houseplants. The dose with which to fertilize is taken half as much as that recommended by the instruction.

It is best to feed the plant during the summer season twice a month. For these purposes, organic and mineral fertilizers should be used. They need to be alternated. Also, in order to feed the plant, complex fertilizers intended for flowering plants are suitable. When the plant is at rest, top dressing does not need to be done at all, or if necessary, use a little complex.

gardenia transplant

Transplantation of the beautiful gardenia should be carried out in early spring period and about 2 years apart. In no case should a plant be transplanted without waiting for the end of its flowering period, because there is also a possibility of dropping buds. It is imperative to ensure excellent drainage. Transplanting will help the plant take root and provide additional air flow.

Reproduction of gardenia

Gardenia can be propagated in 2 ways - cuttings and seed.

cuttings

The usual way to propagate and increase the number of gardenia is with the help of apical cuttings, the length of which is approximately 10 centimeters. Cutting them usually occurs in February and March. Gardenia cuttings should be rooted in warm soil using root stimulants.

It would be advisable to equip them with mini-greenhouses. To do this, you can cover them with a glass jar or a transparent bag. The rooting period of gardenias is very long and difficult. Before rooting the tips of the cuttings in the soil, it will be necessary to dip them in the stimulant powder, and then plant them in a mixture that will include coniferous earth, peat and sand. You can also root the cuttings in water, but this may not work for everyone and not always.

As soon as the cuttings take root and reach 15 cm in height, they can be pinched.

For the seed way

it is very important that the seeds are of excellent quality. If we take into account the seeds that are offered by sellers in stores, then the expiration of seeds in terms of germination cannot be ruled out. You can get your own good seeds from your own plants that have been eaten. The seeds of the flowers of the plant are usually sown in the ground in the spring. Seeds must be sprinkled with an earthen layer of about 3-5 mm. Then the land in which the seeds are sown should be slightly wrinkled and moistened.

Seeds sprout at a temperature of +25 degrees in a greenhouse or provided that they are covered with a film. The soil must be provided regular watering and spraying. Shoots will make themselves felt after a month. But plants from seeds bloom after 2 years.

Gardenia bloom

The flowering period of gardenia falls on the interval starting in July and ending in the month of October. If the plant is properly and efficiently looked after, then the eye will be pleased with small shoots, abundantly strewn with flowers and buds. Large, white gardenia flowers, due to their double beauty and wonderful aroma, can easily compete with roses, although they are similar.

Winter content

In winter, care for jasmine gardenia should be no less thorough than in summer. At this time of the year, she needs to provide sufficient lighting, because with its deficiency, the flower may weaken.

• This the problem can be solved if you maintain maximum illumination indoors and the temperature at the level of 10-15 degrees.
• In conditions of insufficient lighting, it is recommended to carry out artificial supplementary lighting.
• The soil, which must be kept slightly moist, should not be ignored.

The timing of flowering in gardenias may vary, which is influenced by the plant variety. To speed up this moment, it is important to ensure a stable night temperature, which should not fall below 16 degrees. Many varieties of gardenia are white in color., which subsequently changes to yellow or cream. The vast majority of species of gardenia delight not only with beautiful flowers, but also with a pleasant aroma of jasmine.

gardenia pests

The following diseases and pests can be extremely dangerous:

• spider mite
• Shchitovki
• mealybug
• whiteflies
• thrips

Damage to the plant by pests (spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips) leads to its poor growth, yellowing of leaves, loss of flowers and buds, and also completely prevents flowering. When gardenia infects thrips, the upper side of its leaf is covered with light grayish dots or prick marks. When attacked by aphids, the top of the shoot or bud is usually affected, and sticky secretions are formed. When attacked by a red spider mite, the leaves of the plant will dry out, and cobwebs will appear in the internodes and under the leaves. The pests themselves are barely noticeable. From the damaging effects of scale insects - the upper and lower sides of the leaves are covered with brown plaques (round or oval).

In the event that pests are found, then it is urgent to spray the gardenia with insecticides such as:

• Fitoverm
• Actellik
• Decis

If the lesion is insignificant, then it will be enough to spray once, but if the effect of the pest is actively developing, the procedure will need to be repeated about 3 times, in the interval from 7 to 10 days.

List of "whims" of the plant, their causes and solutions

Gardenia is a capricious flower. This should be remembered by everyone who, having seen a lush bush with snow-white buds in the store, decided to have this miracle. Otherwise, disappointment cannot be avoided. Very often, the new owner of a gardenia brings it home and runs into trouble: numerous buds fall off, the leaves turn yellow and wither, the stems become bare. And now there is nothing left of the luxurious beauty! Let's try to figure out the reasons that lead to such a deplorable result.

The leaves of the flower turn yellow

This is the most common disease of gardenia. The leaves turn pale, turn yellow, sometimes only between the veins. In any case, such manifestations indicate unfavorable conditions for keeping the plant.

1. Wrong watering regimen

Very often, gardenia turns yellow when the soil is excessively moist or, conversely, after drying. Watering is needed immediately after the top layer of the earth has dried by 1-2 finger phalanges (depending on the size of the plant and the depth of the pot), it is impossible to wait for the earthen clod to dry completely.

Water quality also plays a huge role and can easily cause gardenia leaves to turn yellow. A capricious plant recognizes only well-settled, ideally boiled or filtered (from chlorine) water. And only warm! Cold and hard water is not suitable.

1. The wrong substrate

When thinking about why gardenia turns yellow, do not ignore the substrate in which it grows. Gardenia prefers acidic soils, it will feel bad on all others. In neutral and, especially alkaline, substrates, its roots cease to absorb the necessary substances to the right extent.

An acidic substrate (pH 4-5) can be bought at a flower shop called Azalea or Gardenia. In the finished substrate, you can independently mix coniferous needles - for additional acidification.

Gardenia soil should be acidic.

Unfortunately, even acidic soil alkalizes over time. Tap water, in most regions, is alkaline. To prevent a change in the reaction of the soil, water the gardenia with acidified water every 10 days. For acidification use:

• Citric acid - a few crystals (at the tip of a knife) are dissolved in 1 liter of water;
• Oxalic acid - 1/3 tsp for 3 liters of water, after which they insist for at least 3-4 days. Oxalic acid is good in that it not only acidifies water, but also precipitates calcium salts, an excess of which is harmful to most plants;
• Lemon juice - 2-3 drops per 1 liter of water;
• Peat - 200 g of peat is poured into 3 liters of water, insisted for a day.

1. Chlorosis

Chlorosis manifests itself in uneven yellowing of gardenia leaves: the veins remain green against the background of yellowing, sometimes almost discolored, plates. Chlorosis is associated with a lack of iron in the soil. By the way, chlorosis in gardenia is almost an “occupational disease”, the war with it must be waged constantly, otherwise the flower will definitely hurt.

Chlorosis occurs when the soil is alkalized, so the first step for prevention is to water the gardenia with acidified water. With clear signs of the manifestation of chlorosis, you should act as follows:

• spray and water the gardenia with iron-containing preparations (Ferovit, Micro-Fe, etc.);
• or prepare homemade iron chelate;
• as an additional source of iron, bury rusty nails in the soil.

1. lack of lighting

Gardenia turns yellow and with a lack of light. In this case, the leaves turn pale, and evenly, on all branches of the bush.

1. nutritional deficiency

Gardenia, like any ornamental plant, needs to be fed during the period of growth and flowering. Choose a good complex fertilizer with extra iron and magnesium. Gardenia has a special love for these two trace elements. We already wrote about iron above - gardenia reacts to its lack by yellowing leaves (chlorosis).

Lack of magnesium also leads to blanching of the leaves. Magnesium sulfate, used for spraying at a concentration of 20 g per 10 liters of water, will help eliminate this process. Magnesium sulfate heals the plant, accelerates and enhances flowering

Leaves fall

This also happens often. This is due to the stress that your plant has recently received.

1. Lack of watering

When gardenia begins to shed leaves, for example, they turn yellow sharply and crumble or fall off without changing their appearance, then this is a consequence of drying.

• Adjust watering, and to combat stress, use spraying with an immunity stimulator - epin. It will not be superfluous to carry out "resuscitation" for gardenia.
• Spray it with water or a solution of epin and put a plastic bag on the bush (garbage, for example).
• Leave it like this for a day. This is a great way to quickly tidy up dried gardenia.

Drying an earthy coma leads to leaf fall on gardenia

1. Draft

Gardenia leaves fall if it is “blown away”. Of course, gardenia lovers know that she loves the coolness. However, putting it near an open window from which it blows is not worth it.

Leaves dry

Gardenia leaves often dry out. If this happens in small quantities, then you should not worry - this is a completely natural process. It is necessary to sound the alarm when the phenomenon is massive.

1. gulf

Dry the soil and adjust watering. Avoid "swamps" in a potted plant. Urgently make drainage holes, if there are none.

Gardenia leaves begin to dry out if watered too often.

1. Frostbite and draft

Gardenia is a sissy, so a sharp drop in temperature downwards can cause blackening of the leaves. The optimal temperature range is 18-24°C.

1. Pests

Spider mites prey on gardenia especially often. It is he who causes the gradual blackening of the leaves, as it draws juice from them.

Manifestations of spider mites on gardenia

The buds are falling

But this is very unpleasant. You are waiting for the gardenia buds that are about to open, but they fall off for no reason. It's annoying, but there are reasons for this.

1. dry air

Gardenia is a plant native to the humid tropics. Loves moist air, refuses to bloom in a dry climate and throws buds. Humidify the air around the flower. How to do it? For example, like this:

• place the gardenia pot on a pallet of wet expanded clay. The pallet must be larger than the base of the pot so that the moisture from the expanded clay is transferred to the leaves;
• spray the gardenia more often, trying not to fall on the buds and open flowers;
• place a jar of water next to the plant (indoor fountain, aquarium, etc.);
• use a humidifier.

Gardenia on a pallet with wet expanded clay

1. Draft

Protect the gardenia with buds from drafts, otherwise flowering will be postponed to the next year.

1. Temperature fluctuations

Too abrupt changes in temperature conditions can lead to stress and, as a result, the discharge of gardenia buds.

1. Change of location, rotation of the pot relative to the light source

It is undesirable to twist a flower with collected buds. Some specimens tolerate this normally, while others react by drying out the pedicels.

1. Untimely transplant

Gardenias are usually sold in stores with flowers or buds. Transplanting a plant in this state does not lead to anything good, the buds begin to crumble.

gardenia not blooming

1. Unsuitable temperature conditions

Gardenia begins to bloom only in strict temperature limits - from 18 to 25 ° C. Otherwise, it can keep the buds for a very long time, until the desired conditions occur.

1. lack of lighting

The best place for gardenia is the east windows, where the sun looks in in the morning. South windows - too hot, midday rays lead to leaf burns. If the windows are facing north, gardenia blooms can be difficult. Although, if there are no thick trees under the windows that create a hopeless shadow in the apartment (house), then there are chances for flowering. Especially if in the summer you put your gardenia on the balcony, ideally put a pot with it in a balcony planter or box. Diffused sunlight combined with fresh air work wonders!

The traditional flowering time for gardenia is July-October. But some growers gardenia manages to bloom 3 times a year. This is possible if you use backlights in winter.

1. nutritional deficiency

For flowering, gardenia must "eat" properly. The most important elements for it are potassium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium. Choose a fertilizer with a high concentration of these substances and you are guaranteed a luxurious flowering! For additional stimulation of flowering, you can use the effective preparations Zircon, Bud, Domotsvet.

1. dry air

In dry conditions, gardenia can also be capricious. A very good way to stimulate the flowering of gardenia is called "steam baths" by flower growers themselves.

• So, we bring the gardenia into the bathroom, put it next to the bathtub.
• We turn on hot water, such that steam pours.
• We fill the bath to the brim and leave, leaving the gardenia to bask in 80-90% humidity.
• Let stand there for several hours, you can even leave it overnight. You can do such “baths” every week, until the result is achieved (the appearance of buds).

Regular mistings and "steam baths" encourage gardenias to bloom.

1. alkaline soil

Gardenias growing in neutral or alkaline soil are unlikely to bloom. Choose a quality acidic soil for the flower and constantly maintain it by acidifying the irrigation water.

cvetok-v-dome.ru

Gardenia is not only a luxurious and beautiful flower, but also quite capricious. Before growing this picky, you need to think carefully, because there are a lot of subtleties in caring for it. But if you follow all the rules, take care of the plant with love, then as a result, it will delight the smoothness of its owner with its beauty.

www.jflorist.ru

The medicinal properties of the plant

The plant is credited with various medicinal properties. Traditional medicine in many countries is rich in recipes based on the roots and fruits of gardenia, from which decoctions are prepared. They are used as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and hemostatic agent, as well as for pathologies such as mastitis, tonsillitis, pemphigus, stomatitis, jaundice and stomach diseases. The fruits are used for fever and lung diseases.

Outwardly, medicinal preparations based on gardenia are practiced for wound healing. You can simply apply the fruits of this plant to wounds, bruises, burns, tumors. For the treatment of diseases of the oral cavity and herpes on the lips, a decoction of roots and fruits is suitable, which also helps with hematemesis, hepatitis, mastitis, dysentery, nephritis, nosebleeds, epidemic influenza.

Chinese herbalists use preparations from gardenia as an antiseptic that helps to cope with inflammation of the biliary tract, headache, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory organs. Gardenia also has a diuretic effect in kidney disease and is used for overwork, stress and insomnia.

Gardenia helps to solve sexual problems. Her presence in the house helps the manifestation of tenderness, love, improves mood and has a calming effect on everyone in the house. That is why it is recommended to place the gardenia in the living room where all family members can enjoy it.

www.idealdomik.ru

Application in Feng Shui

Almost from the very beginning of mankind, the Chinese have tried to uncover the patterns by which everything around people exists. The legend of this people says that before the birth of mankind, only “Qi” particles lived on earth, some of them were light and were called “Yin”, others were heavier “Yang”.

The interaction of these particles contributed to the fact that humanity and opposites were formed on earth. After all, everything that surrounds people has its reverse side of the coin. A person can become happy and successful only when he lives in harmony with the world around him, maintains a balance of all forces and elements.

Houseplants according to Feng Shui can help anyone in maintaining this balance, which is why it is impossible to meet a single house in which they would not live. Often people do not understand the power and purpose of a particular plant, because each of them can favorably influence a particular person and, conversely, harm another.

Gardenia has not only a heady aroma, but also a kind of sophisticated flower shape. The name "Gardenia" among the Chinese symbolizes the feminine, grace, beauty. According to Feng Shui, each plant has its own specific energy. There are a number of plants that carry a hard atmosphere (Yang), these include bamboo, lemon, orchid, and plants with soft energy (Yin) - begonia, violet. Gardenia also belongs to the female category, as it is difficult to come up with a more sophisticated and calm flower for female influence. According to its energy fluctuations, gardenia radiates a very soft and loving field, creates an atmosphere of stability and tranquility.

Each plant has its own specific element, which is why the Feng Shui teaching says that in every room of a house or office there must be an element of all 5 elements: Water, Wood, Metal, Earth and Fire, only in this case, a person can be protected from exposure negative particle "Sha". Gardenia flower belongs to the element of Wood, therefore it increases vitality and creates a positive atmosphere in the room. The best place in the house for gardenia will be the bedroom, as it not only calms its owners after a hard day, but also spreads an atmosphere of love and understanding throughout the room.

Gardenia is best placed in the corner that is visible to a person from the bed, as long as it is light. From there, the flower will absorb the negative 'Sha' energy and create a positive aura with the 'Qi' energy.

But you should also know that gardenia properties, which to a greater extent consist in calming, hides the beginning of another element - Metal. She is one of the rare flower who embodies double strength. The element of wood and bright green leaves speak of its positive effect on the family atmosphere, and the white flower indicates the strength of the metal. In order for gardenia to bring good luck to the house and realize thoughts of monetary profit, that is, to attract metal to itself, it should be placed on the western window. It is from there that the flower absorbs solar energy and gives it out in the form of good luck and profit in the house.

Indoor gardenia is very sensitive, so it is often compared with a delicate female nature. She does not tolerate sharp sounds, temperature changes and the inattentive attitude of her owners.

• Of course, this flower is best suited for women, especially those who are quick-tempered and extremely emotional. If you just sit down next to a flower and talk, you can feel how everything bad and negative is instantly forgotten. Any situation begins to look in a completely different perspective.
• For a mother, gardenia will always help to keep in her hands and treat children with patience, understanding and calmness.
• The flower will also calm a very rude emotional man after a hard day's work. Gardenia spreads an aura of warmth, comfort and tranquility around the house, so every man will strive to come home faster to plunge into the comfort of the hearth.
• Gardenia also gives strength to sick people, especially those who have undergone complex operations. The energy of the flower contributes to the fact that a person’s depression disappears, and he, independently of himself, tunes in to positive emotions, which contributes to his quick recovery.
• And for those people who have experienced grief, gardenia will help you find the strength to live on and inspire bright plans for the future.

Since the stem of the flower grows upward, gardenia also contributes to the development of personality over oneself. Continuous upward growth characterizes a kind of rise in career growth. It should be noted that those flowers that go down, on the contrary, slow down the development of a person.

Gardenia needs continuous care and attention. It is best to have one specific person follow her. The plant must be loved and all suitable conditions created for it so that it reciprocates. Place gardenia in bright places, but avoid direct sunlight. The ground of the flower should always be moist, so it should be watered with warm soft room water.

If the leaves of the flower begin to wither, this indicates that either unsuitable conditions have been created for gardenia, or a negative aura reigns in the house, so you should avoid clarifying relationships, scandals and raised tones next to the flower. Withered leaves and flowers should be plucked immediately, as negative energy always begins to accumulate in a dead area, and it is difficult for a sick flower to fight it.

Eastern natural philosophy associates many legends with the origin of the plant. Since gardenia is a true Chinese flower, it was customary to give it only to people from high society. The exquisite appearance of this flower spoke of its aristocratic roots. To give a gardenia meant to give a particular house peace, tranquility and profit.

www.astralomir.ru

Many people dream of having beautiful plants that bring comfort to the house, reminiscent of the blooming summer in cold weather and pleasing to the eye. One of these wonderful plants is jasmine. Who doesn't want to see on their windowsill an amazing creamy flower with large double petals and smooth emerald leaves, which exudes a delightful delicate aroma?

Jasmine gardenia: a brief description

A beautiful plant of the Mirenov family, when living at room conditions, is a low bush 45-50 cm in height, and wild species that lived in the forests of Japan, India and China reach approximately 180 centimeters.

Jasmine gardenia deserves special attention during flowering. The flowers of this beauty grow up to 5-7 cm, have a dense structure and a delicate white color. Their magical and delicate scent can easily compete with flavor.

Optimal growing conditions

Jasmine gardenia is a capricious and demanding plant, it needs special care at home. If you do everything right, follow all the recommendations for its maintenance, then it will continuously bloom magnificently throughout the year.

Usually, a fastidious flower is presented to someone as a gift, and most often the person who received the present does not even know how to find the right approach to the beauty so that she does not die.

Did you know? It is believed that the energy of gardenia helps to evoke friendly feelings and win love.

Lighting

Gardenia is very light-requiring, and a full-fledged source of light is vital for it throughout the day. However, protect the evergreen from direct sunlight at noon, at this time it is better if the lighting is diffused.

Therefore, western or eastern windows will be an excellent option for placing the pot.

Important! Never rearrange or turn over the pot on the windowsill during the laying and development of the kidneys, as the buds may fall off.

And then you won’t have to wonder why jasmine-shaped gardenia does not bloom in any way.

Temperature

The optimum temperature in residential premises in the spring and summer is +22 ... +24 ° C, and in winter it is 4 degrees lower. Sharp fluctuations in the temperature column can lead to unpleasant changes in the appearance of the flower.

How to care at home

Not every lover can handle the fulfillment of all the whims of jasmine-shaped gardenia, so grow it as an ordinary unpretentious experienced flower grower do not recommend.

But as mentioned above, the main thing is a great desire, perseverance and diligence to do everything right, following the proposed recommendations.

Watering and humidity

I propose to consider in detail the question of how jasmine-shaped gardenia, because almost every flower needs moisture for proper development in order to remain beautiful and maintain a decorative appearance.

The soil of the plant should always be slightly damp, therefore, abundant watering is welcomed in spring and summer, and moderate in winter. The idea of ​​​​the harmonious existence of gardenia in a pot is to categorically prevent the earthen coma from drying out, while there should also be no watery stagnation in the roots.

At any time of the year, water for irrigation should be used soft and not cold (to soften it, add 2 drops of juice per liter of liquid). It is better not to experiment with tap water, but to give preference to filtered rainwater.

It should be watered through the top of the pot, and the water formed in the pan should be drained 20 minutes after the procedure. High air humidity is especially necessary for this flower during the laying of buds, otherwise the inflorescences may simply stop their development and fall off.

It is recommended to place the pot in a container with damp sphagnum or expanded clay, which will ensure that the bottom does not touch the water. Be sure to moisten the leaves daily, in summer it should be sprayed several times a day, in winter - once will be enough. The procedure should be carried out mainly in the morning and afternoon, so that the crown can dry before dusk.

Important! A direct indicator of incorrect watering of jasmine gardenia is that its leaves turn black. But such an attack can also develop against the background of overdried or long-dampened soil.

Soil and top dressing

This beautiful flower is also very picky about the composition of the earth. Since his priority is slightly sour, and he does not tolerate, you can use the land for planting.

But preparing your own soil for gardenia jasmine is also quite realistic. To do this, it is necessary to combine sand, parts of sod, coniferous and leafy soil in equal quantities. To feed the plant, it is better to use liquid types of fertilizers.

Use will help to improve it and keep it always in shape, but when choosing a fertilizer for gardenia jasmine, preference should be given to preparations without the addition of calcium, otherwise the effect may turn out to be the opposite.

Experienced flower growers also advise some "folk" soil methods. For example, in order to keep the flower healthy, add half a teaspoon of Aktiferrin (the drug is sold in a pharmacy) to half a glass of water and water the growing gardenia once every two weeks. But it is better for an adult flower to give such a liquid weekly.

pruning

An important role in successful cultivation and care is played by sanitary pruning of jasmine-shaped gardenia after each flowering. This procedure perfectly stimulates the growth of the flower and maintains its decorative state.

Sick and weak leafy cuttings, as well as cuttings with wilted flowers, should be removed immediately. The shoots remaining after pruning can be used to propagate the plant.

Features of winter care

The main enemy of gardenia in the winter is drafts. It is also necessary to adhere to the minimum allowable temperature regime of at least +16 ° C, since a plant suffering from an excess of moisture may begin to fade, the leaves will begin to lose their unique tone, and the buds will fall off without opening. In winter, window sills facing south will be good for placing the plant.

How to transplant gardenia at home

It is advisable to transplant jasmine gardenia every couple of years, but in no case during flowering, otherwise the buds may fall off. Plant transplantation occurs in this way:

• First you need to remove the gardenia from the pot and, gently brushing off the roots from the old soil, place it in a solution (room temperature) of the biostimulator for the time indicated on the package.
• Steamed drainage should be placed at the bottom of the pot, then add sand, then a layer, and only then soil is added on top.
• During the preparation of the soil for transplantation, the gardenia was well nourished while in solution. Now it should be carefully, trying not to damage the root system, divided into several shoots, distribute the roots and place in a pot, slightly adding soil.
• After the flower has successfully “migrated” back to the pot, the remains of the biostimulant should be poured into it and placed in a warm place where it will not be disturbed by direct rays of the sun and drafts.
• After planting, watering should not be carried out very often, but it is better to give the plant a "drink" only when the ground dries out slightly, about 2 centimeters deep.

Reproduction: rooting cuttings

In jasmine gardenia, reproduction is carried out mainly by apical cuttings. Usually, semi-lignified cuttings about 10 centimeters long are selected for this.

Cut them in spring or early autumn. A kind of greenhouse is created: the cut stalk takes root immediately into the ground, and then it is covered with a glass jar. And when he, grown up and stronger, lets go of the roots, he is transplanted into a permanent pot. In order for the plant to be more beautiful and bush better, after adapting in a pot, the top is lightly pinched.

• Rooting of gardenia is best done in a substrate consisting of river sand and peat (in a ratio of 1: 1).
• Before planting the cuttings in the substrate, they must be kept in a very weak solution of potassium permanganate and, preferably, dipped in Kornevin (root formation stimulator).
• A greenhouse can be built both from a can and from a plastic bag.
• Root cuttings should be at a temperature of +25 ° C.
• The greenhouse should be ventilated every evening, and the substrate should be kept moist.
• You need to care for the cuttings in the same way as for the flower itself.

You can also try growing gardenia at home with the help of seeds, but this is very difficult, given that they quickly lose their germination capacity, and besides, you need to be able to choose them correctly in the store.

In the spring, the seeds are sown in the desired soil (the mixture is the same as for the cuttings), covered with a layer of earth 3 to 5 mm thick, and then lightly pressed and moistened with a spray bottle.

(Gardenia jasminoides) belongs to the genus Gardenia (Gardenia) family Rubiaceae (Rubiaceae). The stunning aroma of jasmine and the waxy white flowers of gardenia are sure to attract attention and give rise to a desire to acquire this plant. Many varieties of gardenia bloom for several months and all year round the plant is decorated with very elegant evergreen glossy dark green leaves.

Jasmine-shaped gardenia has long been grown in China, reliable references to this plant date back to the reign of the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The species was described in 1761 by John Ellis, shortly after the plant was brought to the gardens of England. The specific name appeared thanks to G. Ehret, who emphasized the similarity of the flower's aroma with jasmine. There is also the name Gardenia Augusta. (Gardenia augusta), but it is considered invalid today.

This species is found naturally in Vietnam, South China, Taiwan, Japan, India, where it can reach a height of two meters. Prefers warm, full sun to light partial shade, acidic, well drained and well irrigated soils rich in organic matter.

Possessing high decorative qualities, gardenia is widely used for growing in countries with a warm climate in gardens, and in cooler climates - in greenhouses and indoor conditions.

Varieties

Over a long period of cultivation, many varieties have been bred:

• Beauty- 1.5-2 m tall, large double white flowers appear from early summer to autumn, flowering is plentiful. One of the most popular varieties.

Chuck Hayes- height 1.5-2 m, flowers are semi-double, fragrant, ivory. Appear in early summer, individual flowers may appear throughout the summer. The grade differs in the increased cold resistance.

Belmont (Belmont)- densely doubled variety with large rounded leaves. The flowers reach 10 cm, with an amazing aroma. It has good cold resistance. The variety is disease resistant.

Amy (Aimee)- a variety with the least dark foliage. Terry flowers up to 12 cm are so perfect in shape that they look artificial. Flowering occurs twice a year.

Mystery- 1.5-2 m high, with large dark green leaves, very strong and popular variety. The flowers are very large, up to 13 cm, double, flat. Blooms usually twice a year. It tends to grow vertically.

Radikans (Radicans)- dwarf compact shrub 0.5-1 m tall and up to 1.2 m wide with small shiny leaves. Double flowers about 2.5-5 cm appear later than in many varieties in summer. Ideal variety for bonsai.

Variegata (Variegata)- variegated variety with medium-sized fragrant flowers (8 cm). A small shrub with a slow growth rate, well suited for growing in pots. The leaves are rounded, in color there are various color transitions in shape from green to light cream.

Radican Variegata (Radican Variegata)- a dwarf variety with variegated leaves, reaching 1 m in adulthood, very slow growing. Dark green leaves with a cream stripe along the edge. Flowers from 2.5 to 5 cm in diameter appear late, only in summer. Ideal variety for bonsai.

Golden Magic (Golden Magic) characterized by long flowering and an early transition of the corolla color from white to golden yellow.

Cultivation and care

Jasmine gardenia is considered a difficult crop to grow at home and requires a number of conditions for good growth.

Illumination. Gardenia prefers bright light, but it must be protected from the direct midday summer sun, otherwise the leaves may burn. Optimal windows are south-west or west-facing. In winter, the plant should be provided with the maximum possible bright light.

Temperature. It is optimal to maintain daytime summer temperatures within + 21 + 24 ° C, nightly + 15 + 18 ° C. In winter, coolness is desirable, about +16, although a decrease in temperature to +10 ° C is acceptable. Cooler conditions will prevent the plant from depleting with a lack of light in winter . Reducing the temperature to the desired limits can be achieved with the help of ventilation, but drafts and sudden changes in temperature, which can cause flower buds to fall off, must be avoided.

Air humidity. Gardenias grow best in conditions of high and uniform humidity. Place the pot on a tray of damp expanded clay, sealing off the drainage holes. In hot weather, it will be useful to spray the plant often, but not on the flowers, because. they may leave ugly stains. Gardenia loves to have a warm shower regularly (protecting the soil from getting wet).

Irrigation and water quality. In spring and summer, keep the soil moist, but not wet. This is achieved by regular and moderate watering as the top layer dries. Watering should always be carried out from above, this ensures uniform soil moisture and salts move from top to bottom, to the feeding roots. In winter, when the plant is not growing, reduce watering by not allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Watering with soft water and always warm, room temperature is recommended. In areas with good ecology, it can be watered with rain or melt water; in industrial regions, drinking boiled water is preferable. The water is boiled for several minutes, allowed to cool completely and only the upper half is carefully drained, without capturing the sediment that has fallen to the bottom. It will be useful to acidify the water with lemon juice every 3-5 waterings, just add 1-3 drops per 1 liter of water. This measure will promote the absorption of nutrients from the soil, since many nutrients are absorbed by the gardenia only in acidic conditions. Over-watering or drying out of the soil causes serious damage to the roots.

Priming. Gardenia needs acidic mixtures, only then can it absorb nutrients and fully develop. Use special mixtures for acid-loving plants - gardenias or azaleas (rhododendrons). Maintaining the desired acidity of the soil with hard irrigation water will help its regular acidification. Gardenias are suitable for soils that dry out quickly, but have the ability to retain water. This quality is achieved by adding sand, perlite and sphagnum to the finished mixture, which simultaneously acidifies the soil.

Transfer. Young plants are transplanted every year in the spring, if necessary, if the plant has managed to braid the whole lump with roots. Transplantation is carried out only by careful transshipment into a slightly larger pot with the addition of special soil for gardenias. Mature plants are transplanted every few years. The soil in which the Dutch plant is sold is suitable for gardenia according to all requirements, so there is no need to replace it, the transplant is also done by careful transshipment.

Top dressing. Top dressing should be started 1-2 months after the next transplant and only during the spring-summer period. But freshly bought Dutch plants are best left unfertilized for the entire first growing season, as the plants are well seasoned with a long-acting fertilizer, so top dressing immediately after purchase can lead to overnutrition. For top dressing, it is better to use acidic complex fertilizers for azaleas with trace elements. Gardenia responds well to foliar top dressing (by spraying once a week with a weak solution of mineral complex fertilizers with microelements), especially when soil acidity is disturbed. In winter, fertilizing with magnesium (magnesium sulfate) and iron (Ferovit, Iron Chelate) is permissible in the form of spraying or watering in case of chlorosis (yellowing) of the leaves. For good absorption of nutrients from the soil, it is necessary to maintain its desired acidity using soft or acidified irrigation water.

Pruning. Pruning to maintain a compact form should be carried out immediately after flowering, if necessary. Usually in the first year after the purchase of an imported plant, pruning is not required, the plant perfectly retains its compact shape.

Wintering in an apartment can cause a lot of problems. With a lack of light, the plant is quickly depleted. Therefore, it is necessary to find a cool place for it (+10 + 16 ° C) in the brightest possible light, illuminate it with fluorescent lamps to create a 12-hour daylight hours. The soil should be kept slightly moist, avoiding drying out or excessive dampness.

Bloom for different varieties of gardenia, it can occur at different times, optimal conditions develop when the night temperature is maintained at about +16 ° C degrees. During flowering, the flower turns from white to yellow-cream, spreading the sweet aroma of jasmine.

Pests. Can be affected by aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects.

About pest control - in the article Pests of indoor plants and measures to combat them.

Growing problems

Yellowing leaves can be caused by root damage due to improper watering. Both waterlogging and excessive drying of the soil cause serious root diseases, which affects the condition of the leaves, they can turn yellow and become covered with brown spots. If the irrigation regime is observed, then a possible cause of yellowing of the leaves may be a lack of iron from watering with hard water, in which case the gardenia should be fed with iron chelate (Ferovit). Such top dressing should be carried out until the plant is completely healed according to the instructions.

Falling buds can be observed due to strong temperature fluctuations, improper (excessive or insufficient) watering. It can also be caused by a lack of light, low air humidity, cold drafts or other violations in care, even just moving the plant to another place. Choose a place where sudden changes in temperature, drafts are excluded and arrange watering, avoiding drying out and waterlogging of the substrate. Gardenia is very sensitive to any violation of conditions at the time of budding.

Buds do not form. The reason may be too hot nights, with temperatures above +18 ° C, or low humidity. It is necessary to increase the humidity of the air (by regular spraying, placing on a pallet with wet claydite) and reduce the air temperature.

About other, collectible types of gardenias, read on the page .