Fertilizing Gardenias – What Do You Need to Know

A well-tended gardenia plant will bloom and produce fragrant blooms every year. But how do you take care of a gardenia to ensure it blooms and continues to grow? There are several things you can do to keep your gardenia plant healthy and flourishing. Here are the most important tips for fertilizing gardenias.

Fertilizing Gardenias

Lets face it. We all want the gardenia plant to bloom and produce a spectacular display of flowers each year. However, most gardeners don’t know how to take proper care of a blooming community flower such as this beautiful flowering shrub or tree. Gardenias require certain conditions, soil pH levels and nutrients for proper growth and blooming to occur. This article will provide you with some basic knowledge about fertilizing your gardenia plant.

What is the soil pH for gardenias?

Gardenia plant soils need to be in the range of 6.0-7.5 (with 5 being neutral) for optimum fertilizer absorption and growth when cared for properly. Gardenias like slightly acidic soil pH levels ranging from 6.2 -6.8, so most gardeners keep gardenia soils acidic (between 6.2 and 7.5). If the soil is too alkaline, it will hinder nutrient absorption from both organic elements such as humus and fertilizer. It’s recommended to add a boron supplement or potassium sulphate for this purpose if your soil pH is greater than 7.8.

The vinegar will help control the pH of the soil and boost growth of gardenias. The white vinegar will add a little more acidity that can prevent root rot, which is common with many plants in acidic conditions such as those found in your gardenia’s habitat. The vinegar has the ability to bring your gardenia’s soil pH down to a more alkaline level after it is absorbed into the root system of each plant.

How often should you fertilize gardenias?

Every two weeks. Between spring and fall, gardenia plant leaves will require more nitrogen because the plant has started its production of non-green leaf growth (stems). This is due to photosynthesis requirements to produce enough energy needed for new foliage during this time period. During winter months, flower buds begin to grow and therefore need extra phosphorus. So you will want to water and nourish your gardenias once a month using this fertilization schedule:

No watering – No fertilizer needed (this is also ideal for late summer)

Watering at half strength -1/2 cup of a balanced organic fertilizer a week for 3 weeks (This is good during the transition from winter to spring)

Watering at normal strength – 1 cup of a balanced organic fertilizer a month. Use this over flowering period, note that your gardenia plant may produce one white or pinkish flower per branch as it approaches flowering (This is not an indication of stress – but normal)

If you notice brown leaves, buds or flowers on your gardenia plant, it could be a sign of overwatering during the summer months or low-nitrogen fertilization over winter time periods. The only way to prevent this from happening is to have a properly managed pot, one that does not get overwatered. In addition, fertilize your gardenias once every two weeks during the flowering season and continue into late summer months when flower buds start falling or brown leaves appear.

What type of fertilizer should you use on a gardenia plant?

Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron Plant Food is a special plant food that can be used for acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and dogwoods. It’s also useful for your watering can or Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder. It’s a soluble form of plant food that can easily get into the root zone. Its active ingredients encourage healthy foliage and bloom growth by providing all-round nutrition for lush, strong plants. This spray is also great at removing leaves from your flower pots causing healthier roots to develop! Since this product has a neutral pH, it’s safe to use around houseplants and other sensitive plants.

How much fertilizer should you use on a gardenia plant?

Most people use a pound and a half of fertilizer for their gardenia plant. This is because they need lots of nutrients to grow, and this number of pounds is the amount that most home gardens will yield in one season. However, if you want your gardenia plant to produce more flowers, then use two pounds of fertilizer per plant.

This amount is what will provide for lots and lots of flowers in your gardenia flowerpot! If these recommendations seem like too much to handle, take a look at the chart above; it has all our favorite fertilizers that we can recommend under different situations.

Coffee Grounds as Fertilizer?

Studies show coffee grounds to be one of the most cost-effective biofertilizers. Coffee grounds are usually described as coffee grinds or coffee grounds, but they can also consist of decaffeinated coffee beans. It is made up mostly of moist acidic particles which helps in making the soil more alkaline and nutrient rich than any other ordinary fertilizer used by people around world. Similar to flowers, there are some good news for gardenia cultivators; these plants thrive well on high acidity soils. A soil sample analysis can be taken so as to determine if such situation exists in your gardenia root zone, and the result will put you on track of fixing this problem at any cost due to its potency. If it is high enough, weed roots could choke out vegetation and choke out nutrients from penetrating through the soil thus causing a shade in a gardenia plant growth.

When should you fertilize your gardenia plant?

In the spring, when new sprouts have appeared and after a growth spurt in late summer or early fall. Gardenia plants will not begin to bloom until they received enough food during their warm period. So don’t forget to give it some time before putting fertilizer in your garden! If you want your plant to grow like crazy, you will probably be better off giving it some extra feeding in February or March!

How long does it take to see results from fertilizing your gardenia plant?

It takes about two months to see some visible results from fertilizing your gardenia plant, but it can take up to six months. In most cases, you will start seeing noticeable changes in the appearance of your plant after three weeks.

Remember that it takes time for nutrients to build up in your soil or take effect! Give this little person some extra food and attention; she’ll be happy to reward you with lots of flowers ! It will not take as much effort as you may think, but it can be something to look forward to!

What is the best time of day to fertilize a gardenia?

The best time of day to fertilize a gardenia plant is during the morning hours. The temperature and moisture needs of the plant are different throughout the day, and this can be met by giving it different fertilizer doses at different times. In order for plants to grow, they need approximately the same temperature, moisture and light. But give your plant the right amount of food to get what it needs at their best yields!