Gardenia won't open!

Hi everyone, I hope someone can give me some advice please. My husband bought me a gorgeous Gardenia(see photo) for my birthday a month ago. The florist assured him that it would soon burst into bloom! Still waiting. I'm in Cyprus so the weather is still good. I've looked at forums and websites galore and get the feeling that these plans are a bit of a conundrum. It seems what works for one doesn't work for another. I have it in a pot with water in the bottom (humidity?),but not touching the roots? Also am occasionally misting the leaves (again humidity). First had it indoors in a well lit place but not direct sunlight, now it's outside in morning sun only. I've had about 6/7 buds turn brown a the base and drop off but overall it looks healthy, the leaves are glossy. Any ideas, or is it going to be one of those plants that just won't respond? Many thanks in advance.
P.S. Since I took this photo 3 days ago and put it outside it's really drooping! Please help.

Bud drop is often a response to stress.
This (as you have researched) could be from almost anything.

Around here Gardenias grow as outdoor shrubs:
They appreciate warmth, but do fine in our winters (rarely freezing)
Full sun in the milder parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, some protection from the hottest sun in the warmer areas.
Average garden water. Good drainage.
Neutral soil.

To grow it as a house plant I would try this:
Direct sun from the east or west (if it is not too hot) or lightly filtered sun (sheer curtain) from the south. A bright window with eaves that shade it in the summer would be good. Winter sun is probably just fine.
Fast draining soil.
Water often enough so it never wilts, but allow it to get almost that dry. They do not need to go really dry, but I would rather see it dry than constantly too wet. Yours is a large plant in a small container, so you will probably need to water it often.

Hi Diana, thanks for your reply. Our garden is east facing, which at this time of year is ideal. Average daytime temps 17-20 deg. It's out in the garden now in the sun, maybe that'll bring a bit of life back. I don't think I can plant it in the ground as, come June the temp starts to rise and by August it will be 35-38. I'll move it to a table by a window then(if it's still alive!). Fingers crossed.

17 into the upper 20s ought to be just fine. But you are right to worry about a container plant when the temps hit the 30s. It would dry out way too fast. It should do OK in the ground, though.

Gardenias thrive in my area, which is referred to as a Mediterranean climate. Rarely gets above above 35 around here, and that is just for a day or two, and nights cool off pretty well. What are winter temperatures like? Around here it can reach 0, but usually does not. Gardenias do just fine in these sorts of temperatures.

I'm not too worried about winter temp as it rarely drops below 5-10. I'm wondering what would happen to it if I plant it in the garden, as we really don't have any shade. So in the summer months when it's over 30 for 2/3 months, and the plant has been rendered immovable, what would happen? Can I just water it everyday? Or is that asking too much?
Oh, I moved the plant from half shade to full sun and the leaves bounced back! Still no sign of flowers though...

If the soil drains well you could try it, and mulch to keep the soil a bit cooler and hold water. I would be concerned that too much water will encourage root rot fungi. But too little will kill the plant.
Does it cool off at night? (in the summer)

Hi Diana, the average night time temp in the summer is 22-26, and humid. In fact it's very humid all round in the summer. All of our garden is in full sun as we face east and don't get shade till early afternoon. There is one wall(south) that gives about a foot of shade on the ground all day but that's it. Also the soil drains very well as we live on a slope.
It's overcast today and we've thunderstorms forecast for tomorrow( which we're all looking forward to! A rarity).

We also are into our rainy season. It is starting off well, California has been quite short on rain for a couple of years.

East exposure, with a bit of shade from the hottest sun would be really good. Perhaps planted in a group with some other plants? I think I would try it in your garden. Mid 20s at night sounds pretty good.