Thursday, January 26, 2012

How do I keep my Gardenia alive?

I just went out and bought a Gardenia plant. The flowers haven't sprouted yet, and I have a horrible track record with trying to keep flowers/plants alive, but I saw this plant outside my Grandmothers nursing home garden and immediately fell in love with it. So I went out and bought a medium size one. I didn't think about the fact that I live on a 3rd floor condo. I put the plant outside on the balcony in the sun, but its screened in so It won't get any rain, I know I have to water it but how much and how often? The little ticket that came with it didn't tell me how to take care of it though. I live in South Florida so the weather I think should be good for it right? Also, I am seeing little black ants flocking to it now and am becoming slightly neurotic like an overprotective mother and I freak out everytime I see them crawling all over it; but I don't know if the ants are good for the plant or not? Does anyone have any suggestions?
How do I keep my Gardenia alive?
All I can say to you is if you believe in the power of prayer, now is the time to exercise your belief.
Reply:here's a website with someone havng the same prob and people try to help her so hope it helps
Reply:the ants may be attracted by the sweet smell of the flowers given you in a 3rd floor condo and the plant is on a screened in porch you have no need to worry about beetles or other leaf eating bugs so kudos for that. I have gardenia's planted in the ground and they get bigger every year so if you purchased a medium size plant make sure the pot you plant it in will accommodate the size of the plant a quick look at the size of the bucket it was purchased in will give you an idea of how big the pot needs to be and then some, if the pot you purchased isn't already aerated -(holes on the bottom) throw some mid size rocks in the bottom before adding the soil insuring it will always have some back up water just in case. like most plants about once a week watering should do, and given its status of living in a screened in atmosphere i think it should thrive on the fresh air partial shade is best.and just check on occasion how the soil feels to the touch and remember it might be something that will need replanting as it gets bigger or it can be pruned, Pruning should be done just after the plant finishes blooming. Pruning after October 1st decreases next year's blooms. i hope this info helps I've my plants and the sweet smell they give off is so wonderful they are a pleasure to care for and own good luck growing
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