My Thousandth Gardenia-Trying Again !

[Deborah]

Is nandina Heavenly Bamboo?
I'd love to grow blueberries-I buy them fresh for my rabbits. I see blueberries in the nurseries but then we're told they won't grow in southern California.

[tlintx]

Look up Southern Highbush blueberries. Sunshine Blues are compact and forgiving. And can be grown in pots!


Tl

[Deborah]

I will ! Thanks !

[tlintx]

My MIL brought me a gorgeous gardenia standard from Sam's today.

I am NOT doing anything to, for, or with it. Here's hoping.


Tl

[Deborah]

There IS no hope !

[tlintx]

Okay, um, well... I can at least enjoy its final weeks. And it is blooming like it knows the end is coming!

[AprilMayJune]

I'll just commiserate. I read this whole thread a couple months ago and I STILL bought a gardenia from the garden center...and promptly watched it die. It did bloom a couple of times at least...

[Deborah]

Our condolences. What in the world the darn things want is beyond reasoning.

[claherron]

Rescued this one from Lowes last winter couldn't kill it if I tried. Sure that helps you feel better. Just plant it and leave it alone.


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[Deborah]

Cia, you seem to have a bit of a cruel streak...

[claherron]

I am a bit of an antagonist, I'm sorry. Honestly I was perplexed by this thread I had no idea people had such problems with Gardenias. I should treat my garden the same way it would probably turn out better. I spend way too much time out there, more damage than good probably. On a serious note plant em and let em go always works for me. Again I am sorry, next time yours will do better.


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[peebee]

Originally Posted by claherron

I am a bit of an antagonist, I'm sorry. Honestly I was perplexed by this thread I had no idea people had such problems with Gardenias. I should treat my garden the same way it would probably turn out better. I spend way too much time out there, more damage than good probably. On a serious note plant em and let em go always works for me. Again I am sorry, next time yours will do better.


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"Next time"?? Many of us here have done several "Next time"s--personally, I've purchased over 10 times various varieties and sizes, and planted different ways in several locations. My last one (and yes, it IS my very last one, this time I promise to keep my word) was a lush glossy beauty in a 3 gallon pot that I transferred to a nice Italian clay pot, in acid-loving potting mix, no less. It was fine for a few months even tho it never bloomed. I ignored it, sort of. Didn't want to obsess over it. I left it in the care of my family when I went on a 2-week trip recently, telling them to just water it at least once a week.
Well, to my shock and surprise, it looked terrible upon my return--yellowing, wilting, etc. Gave it emergency care. It's sulking now in a protected part of my garden, with dappled sunlight.
Walk half a block up my neighborhood, and there are 2 gardenias planted in full sun, covered with blossoms. They've been there for a few years now. Maybe I should replant mine in the same general area, in full sun. But I don't expect it to survive, really.

I'll post again with results on that...

[Deborah]

Cia, maybe it's your humidity?
PeeBee, I'm wondering if gardenias just want to be planted in the ground and ignored?
What really bugs me is that I'll probably succumb to temptation again someday. Sigh...

[claherron]

Deborah,

Your probably on to something with the humidity. The soil in area where the Gs are stays at least damp all the time. Cali has a great climate for farming so I would assume you would have better luck. In the next few weeks it will be so muggy down here it gets hard to go outside and the bugs forget about. Don't give up never give up.


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[tlintx]

I think gardenias are like... uh... dirt. Throw enough at a wall and you'll get some to stick. Also, I think they're very microclimate dependent.

I think I'm up to around ten or so as well. The one in the front yard looks straggly but it's alive and green. The one in the backyard, in a pot, is wilting and perking and wilting and perking... going to have to figure out a safe spot for it.

Originally Posted by peebee

Walk half a block up my neighborhood, and there are 2 gardenias planted in full sun, covered with blossoms. They've been there for a few years now. Maybe I should replant mine in the same general area, in full sun. But I don't expect it to survive, really.

I'll post again with results on that...

Maybe your neighbors have a water leak under there. Just sayin''.

I think I maybe give up on them a little too soon, too. I had written off the one out front, and it came back.