Gardenias in Texas?

I am considering getting Gardenias here in Texas. I live in Houston where it's pretty humid. I do have adequate shade for Gardenias. I have a court-yard/patio area. Is it advisable to grow gardenias in a clay pot? I also read that the blooms are consistent, that the flowers bloom up until the end of the blooming season? Is this true? I dont want to have flowers that bloom for one week and not bloom for the rest of the year. Any suggestions?
Gardenias in Texas?
Dude, Gardenias can grow in almost any climate and soil condition. If you move them to clay pots apply the water to the drain bowl. Don't water at the soil. You can mist them once a day, but do this in the morning. Your plants are obviously conditioned for humidity so take extra care with them. Try not to mist directly on the flowers as this will cause them to wilt sooner.
Reply:Yes you can grow them in pots they need very rich soil with good drainage and the like acidic soil. They can bloom for a couple of months and they need some afternoon (not morning) shade to keep the flowers from being scorched. Remember they are heavy feeders so you will have to fertilize a lot.

Below is a link to help you get started.

********NOTE*****************

If you mix your own soil try to include coffee grinds and sand and some composted pine shavings.

http://www.kings.co.nz/Growing+Guides/Ga...

Fertilizer for acid loving plants

'Miracid'

http://www.epinions.com/Scotts_Miracle_G...
Reply:I think it will work.



Clay pots are fine in humid areas. Otherwize they loose alot of water from evaporation.



My Mom's gardenia (SoCal) blooms for a couple months. I think it can depend on the cultiar, and ofcourse on the care and feeding.
Reply:You can grow just about anything in Houston. Gardenias want full sun, prefer to be planted in the ground, Epsom salts sprinkled around the drip line and watered in supply acidic environment they love. Gardenias set next season's flower buds after blooming. The blooms last 1-2 weeks. The'll root in water or by placing a branch on the ground and weigh down with a brick (or something similar.)



good luck
Reply:grow in shade because gardenias love cool weather. they do best on the west and east coast excluding florida.



i do not know if it will bloom there because of the warmth. although there foilage is nice, the blomms are the best.



maybe a camillea is the best for you.

they bloom the first few weeks of spring. there are veireties as well that bloom all summer, all winter Ect..



here is a link to a common camellia that blooms in the spring.( they can tollerate heat)



http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showima...

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showima...

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showima...
roots rain