Gardenia Question

Hi guys! A few weeks ago, i brought my potted gardenias in from the back deck for winter. Since then, the leaves are yellowing, and any new buds that develop are wilting and dropping before they bloom.

I've taken a few steps i hoped would "fix matters," but so far, the problems persist. I spread a little epsom salt over the dirt, because i'd read gardenias really like that. I've also been treating them for bugs, because so many of the leaves were getting munched and falling off. Any insights? Is this just sort of "what they do" in our zone over the winter?

I leave my Gardenias 'Kleims Hardy' outside in pots and they never get bothered by winter. These plants are definitely finicky about everything else though. I certainly wouldn't use epson salts as it may burn the roots. Have you checked for spider mites? They thrive in humidity and light warmth so if your porch is dry and cold, they'll look a bit sad.

Oh you DO leave them out! The folks at the nursery said they're not guaranteed to be cold hearty here, and suggested they be taken in. Now that they've been inside for a while, i'm hesitant to put them back out until the weather improves, especially since they seem to be in some sort of compromised state.

I must say, i'd rather leave them out all year. Those pots are heavy! :)

Having had my 5 gal Gardenias outside for the past few years, they don't take to dryness. I propagated a few flats of cuttings and they are finicky - never really happy unless the humidity is good. Here's the one I planted in the ground this year. The skunk kept digging it out.

Huh! Those are certainly "in the chill." Next year, i'll try keeping them out all year. Meanwhile, i'll mist them daily to see if the moisture was what they're missing. Thank you for the information!