Instructions for gardeners: how to choose a soil for gardenia, fertilizer and a pot

In the wild, gardenia grows to a height of up to five, and even up to fifteen meters. Of course, tall species are not suitable for home conditions.

On the windowsills found exclusively jasmine gardenia. It is certainly not as high as the tropical counterparts, but growing conditions are no less important for it.

The key to successful agricultural technology is the correct composition of the soil mixture. How important is the correct choice of land and pots, as well as about preparing a plant for transplantation, you can find out from the article.

Gardenia Definition

Gardenia is an evergreen tropical shrub, sometimes a small tree. There are over 250 varieties of plants. The habitat is the Far East, India, China. Indoor gardenia grows to 50 cm in height.

Leaves of dark green, saturated color, with a smooth surface and glossy shine. Foliage length up to 10cm. The appearance of a gardenia flower resembles a rose. The color is white, in some varieties there are terry texture of the petals. The size of inflorescences in diameter is 7-10cm.

The importance of the right land

As for the land, gardenia is picky in this matter. Even careful care will not be able to compensate for the inappropriate composition of the soil. A well-developed root system is the key to the full development of the terrestrial part of the plant.

Gardenia prefers acidic soil, and does not tolerate lime at all. The optimal composition of the soil mixture should be as close as possible to the natural habitat.

It is important to know that gardenia can react sharply if the soil does not suit it. Indoor exotics will grow poorly, the flowering period will be postponed indefinitely, and if it blooms, then the inflorescences will be small and inconspicuous. It will also be quick enough to drop peduncles, the leaves will turn yellow and turn black. Why gardenia does not bloom and how to solve this problem you will find out here, and we wrote about the diseases and pests of this beauty here.

Suitable soil

As already mentioned, the plant loves acidic soil, pH 4.5-5.5. The earth should be light, loose and fertile. The flower grows well in moist soil, so an important feature is the ability of the soil to retain water. Even if initially, the mixture was purchased correctly, then over time the water leaches acidic substances and the earth should be acidified. What will become a regular duty of the owner.

Specialty stores offer a long list of primers suitable for planting gardenias. The most optimal option is the soil:

• for azaleas;
• rhododendrons;
• universal soil mixture for flowering plants.

However, any finished substrate can be brought to the desired condition, friability and moisture capacity. It is also important to know which components of the soil mixture will be preferred for gardenia. For self-preparation of the substrate, such components are required:

1. deciduous land;
2. soddy soil;
3. coniferous land;
4. peat;
5. coarse sand;
6. moss sphagnum;
7. natural baking powder.

Which pots are suitable?

Regarding flower capacity:

1. It is better to choose a pot of small diameter.
2. It is recommended to take a new flowerpot 2-3 cm more than the previous one.
3. As a material, preferably ceramic or plastic.
4. The presence of drainage holes is mandatory.
5. Still the pot should not be too deep to exclude liquid stagnation.

For the first time after purchase, the plant should be replanted after three weeks. This time is necessary for the full adaptation of the flower. It is best to apply the trans-shipment method during the transplant, which will be less painful for gardenia.

Careful preparation for transplantation

Gardenia, like most plants, does not tolerate transplants well. This process should be performed once every 2-3 years, as the root system grows. Young individuals should be transplanted annually. The process of soil renewal is usually performed in early spring, always after flowering.

Transplant Process:

1. Jasmine gardenia has rather fragile and thin roots, so it is necessary to carefully remove it from the container.
2. Then carefully cut dry, yellow root shoots with a sharp tool, later new ones will grow in their place.
3. After the drainage layer of about 4-5 cm is laid on the bottom of the selected flowerpot, which is extremely necessary for the flow of water.
4. We fill the tank with prepared soil, room temperature.
5. We place a plant in the center of the pot, and sprinkle the roots on top with a layer of earth.
6. At the end of the process, it is important to water the plant moderately.

Plant Transplant Video:

How to water?

The water balance varies depending on the season and the life cycle of the plant. Compliance with this condition makes indoor exotics a capricious and demanding flower.

1. It is necessary to moisten the soil in the summer 1-2 times a week, to look at the soil condition.
2. When the top layer is dry, water should be watered. Do not allow complete drying of the earth in the pot.
3. In winter, it is enough to moisturize once every 7-10 days.
4. During the flowering period, gardenia needs a larger volume of fluid, it is important to monitor the condition of the plant.
5. Use only soft filtered water for irrigation, without impurities and salts.
6. The temperature of the liquid should be 30-40 ° C.
7. Watering is carried out with acidified soil, for this you need to add lemon juice to the water. 4-5 drops of juice are added to 1 liter of water. Instead of juice, you can take citric acid.

Fertilizer for soil

Indoor gardenia needs to be fed continuously from March to the end of August. In early spring, active growth begins, the flower needs additional nutrition, and in the autumn-winter period fertilizers can not be used.

1. Fertilize the flower 2 times a month.
2. The concentration should be 2 times weaker than indicated in the instructions, in order not to overfeed the plant.
3. Mineral fertilizers should be applied to pre-moistened soil.
4. As nutrients, liquid complex fertilizers for flowering are used.
5. It is important that the mineral calcium is not included in this composition. Indoor beauty reacts quite sharply to the presence of this substance, slows down growth, does not bloom.
6. If during flowering, the foliage begins to turn pale, the bright green color is lost, yellow leaves appear - this is a clear sign of a lack of iron (you will learn about gardenia leaves problems in this article). In this case, foliar top dressing should be carried out with iron sulfate.
7. A newly purchased flower does not feed the first 2 months.
8. After transplanting, you can not fertilize the soil, you can restore nutrition after 1-2 months.

So, knowing which soil prefers gardenia, you can not make mistakes. Buy exclusively acidic soil or prepare it yourself, having previously disinfected all components. Follow all of the above recommendations regarding transplanting, pot selection, watering and top dressing. And jasmine gardenia will thank you for leaving an unusually beautiful flowering and healthy appearance.

Watch the video: How to Raise Gardenias in Pots (May 2024).