Gardenia: types and rules of cultivation

Gardenia is a fairly popular small-sized plant with an attractive appearance. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family. Gardenia is found both in the wild and is used as indoor plants, because today there are more than 250 species of this amazing flower. Many growers note that it is quite difficult to care for this "capricious" plant. It is worth considering in more detail the features of gardenia, its types, growing rules.

Gardenia has a long history. In Chinese sources dating back to the 1st century AD, information about this magnificent plant is already found. Even then, the features of its domestication were described and how to correctly produce curly pruning so that a sprawling bush turns into an exquisite tree. It was only in the 18th century that gardenia appeared in England thanks to Alexander Garden, an American naturalist scientist, which is why it got that name.

Further, the plant has already begun to grow in America. The bushes of this wonderful flower could be found in the Alexander Gardens of Charleston. The aristocracy of the early 19th century appreciated the captivating aroma and exquisite appearance of gardenias, so they began to use it to create various bouquets, for example, gardenias were used to make boutonnieres for weddings.

In Russia, this plant became known in the pre-revolutionary period, but under a different name - Cape jasmine. This flower has won great fame, it was used in the manufacture of perfume due to its exquisite aroma. Already in 1925, the famous fragrance Gardenia Chanel was released, which was appreciated by powerful and strong natures. Today gardenia is used in the manufacture of many persistent fragrances, it is used in the collections of Gunzburg, Bergman, Gucci.

Since ancient times, gardenia has been famous not only for its amazing aroma. Flowers, leaves and bark are popular, because medicinal teas, pomace and decoctions are made from them. Today, the scent of gardenia is often used in aromatherapy, and in Africa and Asia, this flower allows you to cope with various diseases. And, of course, this flower is simply an irreplaceable element of an exotic wedding bouquet.

In the homeland of gardenia, it is often used as a decoration for a variety of dishes. The flowers contain plant pigments that are used to produce yellow and orange dyes.

Gardenia is an evergreen shrub. The stems of the plant are characterized by their strength. They can be either naked or pubescent. The leaves attract attention with a glossy finish, complemented by stipules, while they are opposite. White or yellow flowers have a single or shield arrangement, while in the latter case, the inflorescences are formed from 4-6 flowers.

Flowers can be either double or semi-double. During the flowering period, which occurs in summer or autumn, they emit an amazing smell.

As described above, gardenia has a long history, and its cultivation was resorted to during the reign of the Japanese and Chinese dynasties.Today, more than 250 species of this amazing plant are presented, while it is difficult to distinguish wild varieties from those bred earlier. The exception is new species that were introduced already in the twentieth century. In the process of creating new varieties, the plant began to be domesticated. Decorative options with double flowers are often used to decorate dwellings. It is worth paying attention to the most popular varieties.

• Brighamii. This variety is found on the Hawaiian Islands - Molokai, Lana, Oahu. It is presented in the form of a tree, the length of which is up to 6 meters. Elongated leaves are presented in light and dark green shades, while attracting attention with their brightness due to the presence of light veins. The flowers are single, white, single-row. They have 6 petals and have a very pleasant scent.

• Globosa. This is a small tree or bush. Flowers are presented in an unusual shape - in the form of a bell. White flowers reach 4 cm in diameter. The oval leaf is slightly elongated.

• Taitensis. The plant of this variety grows in the form of a tree, its height reaches 7 meters. This type of gardenia grows on the island of Tahiti. Oval leaves are rather large, their length is 25 cm. Snow-white, single-row, double flowers are 20 cm in diameter. This variety blooms only once a year, while flowering is spontaneous.

• Corinata (Kula). It is a small tree, native to Malaysia. The flowers attract attention with originality, since they have a long tubular corolla, complemented by single-row petals bent outward. The highlight is the change in color performance - the marble shade is replaced by a lemon one, and when the flower blooms, the petals become orange.

• Thunbergium. This is a rather unusual variety that is native to Africa. Its discoverer is the scientist K. Thunberg. This tree reaches a height of 2 meters, while it has a bare trunk. The leaves are quite soft, they are 3-4 pieces at the ends of the branches. Quite large flowers of white-cream color have a diameter of up to 8 cm, while a tubular corolla 7 cm long has 8 petals.

All of the above varieties of gardenia ideal for growing in mild climates. They are often found in gardens, parks and greenhouses, as well as in conservatories that have more extreme conditions. A jasmine or white gardenia (Gardenia Jasminoides) is ideal as an indoor flower. Double flowers are quite large, a luxurious jasmine scent draws attention to this amazing species. This variety is presented in the form of a small bush, decorated with luxurious buds.

Gold or yellow gardenia (Gardenia carinata) is popular with many gardeners because it can change its color. Initially, the buds are presented in a white shade, then they acquire a lemon-yellow color, which turns into orange. Of course, this variety is also suitable for home cultivation, but you should pay attention that then its growth slows down significantly.

The Tahitian gardenia is also called the flower of the tiare tree. This shrub grows on the islands of Polynesia. Its snow-white flowers are quite fragile and delicate. The scent is simply impossible to describe in words, because it is very multifaceted and beautiful.

The peony species is quite common. thanks to the luxurious terry creamy-white flowers up to 22 cm in diameter. It emits a rather delicate scent. Due to the presence of a large number of lateral buds, flowering is quite long. The bush reaches a height of about 85–90 cm. The dark green leaves are rather large.

The pink gardenia, called amoena, is a very rare species. They are almost impossible to see in homes or gardens. It sometimes grows in large botanical gardens. Its peculiarity lies in the presence of oval leaves with pointed tips. Her entire body is covered with thorns, and the pink flowers emit a luxurious scent.

Gardenias are rich in enzymes, amino acids and antioxidants. Extracts and esters from it are often used in medicine, as well as in the manufacture of cosmetics.

Experts recommend be sure to inspect the plant before buying, paying attention to the following nuances:

• the tree should be well formed, while the branches should be directed in different directions;
• it is worth abandoning the purchase of a plant that has sluggish, yellowed or pale leaves, because they indicate that the bush is unhealthy;
• it is quite difficult to cure a sick plant, it will not be able to please with flowering for a long time; of course it costs less, but chances are you will come back for a second gardenia.

Not every gardener takes on the cultivation of gardenia, so beginners should be prepared that they will face a difficult task, because this plant is quite "capricious" and requires careful care at home.

If you do not adhere to the clear rules of its cultivation, then soon it will quickly fade away, shedding not only flowers, but also leaves. It is worth dwelling in more detail on the main points of growing this amazing tree with an unusual aroma.

A sharp change in temperature regimes can lead to the death of the plant. The optimum temperature for the normal development and flowering of gardenia is from +22 to +24 degrees. If the temperature regime rises by at least a few degrees, then the "beauty" becomes lethargic and unable to bloom. It is worth providing for her fresh air access. In the summertime, it can be placed on a balcony or in a garden, but at the same time it is worth providing reliable protection from the sun's rays and drafts.

But after it fades, you need to lower the temperature in the room. The optimal indicator is +16 degrees. This can be done using a slightly open window, but it is worth remembering to protect the bush from drafts. The temperature of the soil in the pot deserves special attention.

Since gardenia is a tropical plant, it requires high humidity. It is necessary to spray, place containers with water near the pot, and also use expanded clay on a pallet, which is often moistened. Many people purchase electric humidifiers to make the flower feel comfortable. In winter, the dryness of the air usually increases in houses, since the heating works, so this point should be taken seriously.

After the purchase, it is necessary to very carefully look after the gardenia so that it can more easily adapt to the new living conditions. Initially, it is worth choosing a permanent place for her.... The plant is quite capricious in terms of changes, it takes a very long time to get used to the new environment. It should be protected from drafts, adhere to the same illumination during the flowering period, because even when the container is turned in the other direction, it can immediately drop all the buds.

Ultraviolet illumination has a detrimental effect on the "beauty", but it is also impossible to restrict her access to light. She feels great in bright diffused light, while its duration should be approximately 12 to 14 hours at any time of the year. The gardenia pot can be positioned on the windowsill of a window facing both west and east.

Gardenia needs fertilization both during the growing season and during flowering. Therefore, feeding is usually carried out in the spring and summer. But if we consider the varieties that bloom in autumn, then the time of fertilization shifts. It is very important to avoid supplements that contain calcium. It is recommended to use mineral fertilizers, while not forgetting to alternate them with organic additives. Manure is an excellent choice - it can be applied every two weeks.

If we consider folk fertilizers, then gardeners recommend watering gardenia with nettle decoction or using yeast. But foliar dressing is made by spraying. This option is optimal during the period of bud formation. In winter, you can add fertilizer to the soil, which contains iron and magnesium sulfate. If you apply a lot of nitrogen-containing dressings, then the plant will acquire a luxurious crown, but at the same time it will stop blooming.

Moisture is necessary for the plant to grow healthy, its buds are juicy, and the leaves are elastic. When the soil dries out, the plant will soon fade and die, therefore the soil in the pot should always be moist, but watering should be avoided. In summer, the plant is watered 2 times a week, and in winter - only 1 time. It is worth using warm water, while it must be boiled or filtered. It is very important that there is no calcium in the water. For the fifth watering, it is worth adding a little citric acid, because it will increase the acidity of the soil, which is very important for the normal development of the plant. Top watering should be done, avoiding bottom watering.

Pruning plays a very important role in gardenia cultivation because this culture has a tendency to grow the crown. If it is rather thick, then the air throughput is significantly reduced, which leads to the manifestation of various diseases. When the flowering process is complete, it is imperative to remove all diseased branches. To form the crown correctly, you will also need to shorten healthy branches by 2/3. But in the spring, pinching is often done, because it allows new shoots to grow faster, thereby creating new rudiments for the formation of future buds.

Gardenia is very demanding on the soil. Of course, it can grow in different soil, but it can bloom exclusively in acidic soil, which will be both breathable and dense. To transplant a plant at home, you can purchase a ready-made soil mixture in specialized stores, designed for breeding azaleas. For self-cooking, you need to take in equal proportions sand, leaf and turf soil, and peat... To maintain soil acidity and increase air permeability it is also worth adding sphagnum moss. Ideal for drainage expanded clay, but it should definitely be boiled, which will eliminate all salts from its pores.

Gardenia is prone to many diseases, so it is worth considering in more detail the various symptoms of diseases and methods for their elimination.

Quite often, gardeners are faced with the fact that the leaves of the gardenia begin to dry out.This behavior is the first reaction to excess moisture, low acidity of the soil mixture, the presence of pests or drafts. Improper care can lead to problems with the leaves of the plant. It is simple to eliminate the flood of water - you need to thoroughly dry the earth. It is worth eliminating the sharp change in temperature conditions and drafts. Adding citric acid to the soil mixture will increase its acidity.

Improper maintenance of gardenia leads to the fact that it does not bloom. Temperature rules are often violated. In order for buds of future flowers to form, the air temperature must be lowered by several degrees. The best option is +18 degrees. Another reason can be an excess of fertilizers, which include nitrogen, which is responsible for the growth of leaves. In this case, it is worth resorting to tree pruning.

Improper gardenia maintenance can lead to the following problems:

• the leaves darken, turn black, and then fall off;
• the appearance of spots both on the buds and on the leaves;
• the bush drops buds or flowers.

Gardenia often suffers from a variety of pestsas they love both the leaves and the buds of the plant.

• thrips;
• whitefly;
• shield;
• spider mite;
• mealybug.

To protect your gardenia from these dangerous pests, it is worth adhering to the correct care... But if the plant is still sick, then it is worth using a fungicide. Quite often, gardenia suffers from viral and fungal diseases when the soil is heavily flooded. If there is not enough iron in the soil, then leaf chlorosis may develop.

Gardenia can be propagated in the following ways:

• shoots;
• woody cuttings;
• seeds.

If you use seeds, then the seedlings will be insignificant. It is better to give preference to propagation using cuttings. For this, healthy twigs are used that remained after trimming the crown of the tree. They need to be dipped into water and added to it "Kornevin" so that the roots appear soon. After that, they are planted in separate pots with soil mixture for azaleas. Additionally, it is worth making a small greenhouse from an ordinary can, and taking it out into the street.

Seedling care requires moisture and ventilation.... When the first leaf appears, then you can refuse from the "greenhouse". The plant is ready for transplanting only if its root system has completely filled the pot. And after 1 year, with proper care, gardenia will delight you with amazing flowering.

The following tips for beginners are worth checking out:

• gardenia is a rather "capricious" plant that requires constant care;
• if the plant lacks nitrogen and iron, then they need to be replenished slowly, since at a high concentration, gardenia will suffer quite a lot;
• gardenia reacts very sensitively to a change of scenery, therefore, during flowering, it is forbidden to even turn it, otherwise it will immediately throw off the flowers.

For the secrets and intricacies of caring for gardenia at home, see the next video.