I have three Gardenias that I rescued from the garbage last summer. They were very overwatered so I repotted them. Last year I think only one of them had one flower. They didn’t flower yet this year and they’re not in the best shape. Right now they’re planted in the blue pot inside the terra cotta colored one. Is it too soon to repot them into the outside pot?
So repotting a plant depends on necessity (you probably know this). Of course you can repot them for aesthetic purpose, but it’s hard on the plant so I choose to do it when it’s necessary. Are the gardenia’s showing signs of needing bigger pots? Such as stunted growth, frequent watering needs (drying out quickly), roots emerging from drainage holes, or the plant appearing root-bound and slow or absent growth. You did say they weren’t flowering, but are they growing? You said they were in bad shape, do you think it’s from just being unloved, neglected trash plants? Or is it from needing a new pot? The best way to tell is to get a look at their roots. The roots tell the story.
0 Likes Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. I guess it is more of an aesthetic thing…… I’m fine keeping the outside pot over the blue pot because I don’t want to stress them out. I think they might be in bad shape because I don’t really have the proper place to put them. They require a lot of sun, and the garden they’re in gets morning and early afternoon sun. Plus I live slightly north is north west NJ so the temperatures aren’t as warm, although lately it’s been hot and humid. I’m just not sure. They do seem to get new leaves, but the leaves yellow at the tips often.
1 Like Oh I see. I was going to suggest maybe planting them in the ground, but I now understand why you don’t. Yeah they’re out of their comfort zone. I live in Louisiana and we have them growing wild here and in yards allover the place. They are the absolute best smelling flower I’ve ever smelled. As scents go they are my favorite. You could bring them inside and put them under a grow light and maybe put a small warm air humidifier between them. They like humidity. Here in the Lou the humidity is so high our air is heavy and we’re soaked about 30 seconds after we step outside. According to the experts gardenias like a humidity level of around 60% and temps between 65-70F, but right now here where I live, where I have four huge gardenia bushes in my yard and something like seven very happy & healthy more lined up in the neighbors yard across the street it’s 8:30am, 87F with a humidity level of 81%. I believe they like it HAWT and STICKAY lol. Don’t subject yours to that much heat and humidity though, they aren’t accustomed to it and it’ll for sure upset them.
0 Likes It’s pretty humid here right now too. I bring them in in the winter but maybe I should just keep them inside throughout the year?
1 Like It’s worth a try just see if it’ll kickstart them. You can spread worm castings on top of the soil in their pots and feed them superthrive. I do both of these for all my plants. The worm castings every two months and the superthrive every other watering (fyi the superthrive is stinky, but it doesn’t linger and it’s worth it).
0 Likes Also make sure to always keep their pots clean of debris like dead and dropped leaves and whatever random junk that finds its way into the pots. Remove the yellow/yellowing, dry and damaged leaves from the stems too. This way the plant won’t waste energy trying to heal those leaves.
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