kolling@decwrl.UUCP (Karen Kolling) (06/30/85)
I had to water my gardenias like a demon when they were first planted. They're surface rooters, so long deep watering is just wasted, they needed water dumped on them every day. After awhile I smartened up and mulched them and that let me cut down the wtaering to twice a week. Now that they've been established a few years they need much less water. The symptoms of not enough water were the leaves first turning yellow, then brown and dried. I also dump iron whatsis on them in the spring, to counteract the leaves turning yellow. Karen
kolling@decwrl.DEC.COM (Karen Kolling) (01/17/86)
A mealy bug for the line eater. > 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? Gardenias need more water than anyone could imagine. I assume you're growing this one in the house, so you'll have to soak and mist like crazy. (One symptom of lack of water is the buds stay small and eventually fall off. Also the leaves turn yellow, then dry up). Once it starts to bloom, however, don't get water on the flower petals, as they'll turn brown. Karen (former Gardenia-killer, now owner of Gardenia hedge.)