[net.garden] Growing Gardenias

sara@mhuxj.UUCP (TRIGS) (01/16/86)

I am having trouble taking care of my gardenia.  It has little
buds on it but they won't open up.  I live in New Jersey.  The
plant gets plenty of light.  Any of suggestions?

Thanks!

seb@mtgzy.UUCP (s.e.badian) (01/20/86)

	Oh, gardenias are one of the most tempermental plants around.
Though I have never grown them (I'm allergic to the flowers), I have
read that they are very difficult. First they like sun, but they also
like it quite cool. But no drafts. So if you have a cool, sunny sun
porch with no drafts, you might have some success. Second, they need
lots of iron. Be sure to feed them a fertilizer for evergreens. The
first conditions are much more difficult to provide, and I would 
imagine this is where most gardeners fail in providing for their
gardenias.

Sharon Badian
ihnp4!mtgzz!mtgzy!seb