Hello, Can anyone tell me why my August Beauty gardenias bloom beautifully, then the whole plant dies? This happened last year, so I purchased new ones. After several weeks, the plants bloom, then start dropping leaves (which have brown spots). I watered to keep soil moist, occasionally feeding MG-azalea fertilizer 1/2 strength.
need gardenia help
I wonder if maybe you're watering it a bit too much? Brown spots on the leaves sounds like it might be some sort of fungus, and often that sort of problem is triggered by a bit too much water. You definitely don't want to let them get bone dry or anything, but if you get new ones this year maybe try watering a bit less and see if that helps.
Thanks for the tip. I will water less.... I was confused as to why the plant did so well until right after a big bloom...? Also, does anyone keep these inside? I have them in containers on a porch reaching 80 degrees daily. They started out inside for several weeks, but grew tiny white insects. I sprayed the plants, and moved outside. Insects disappeared.
My guess is it's just a coincidence that the problem showed up right after they bloomed. If you're really, really overwatering something it can die faster than that, but if you were just giving it a little bit too much water, it can sometimes take a little time for the plant to get unhappy and start to show symptoms, so if you bought it when it was just about ready to bloom it could very easily take it until after that first flush of blooms is done before you see the signs of overwatering. Either that or the plant attracted your attention more while it was blooming and without really realizing it you watered it more often just because you were thinking about it more often, and that was enough to push it over the edge to having problems. There are other possibilities too besides overwatering, if you've got gardenias now that are showing those symptoms it would help if you could post a picture.
I wish I knew how to post a picture!! I dont have digital camera, and dont have computer skills to master such a task :) I'll try less water and see what happens. thanks for your input
http://toptropicals.com/html/toptropicals/articles/shrubs/gardenia.htm
The above link is very helpful...I know there was another some where on their site but I'm having difficulty finding it.
As for 'August Beauty' that is one Gardenia that I can't seem to keep alive here...whether in ground or pot. I'm not sure if she's more temperamental or what but she just doesn't do well...the one I tried IN the ground died much slower then the ones left in a pot did - that much I can tell you. And depending on size (if I recall) August Beauty did not like as much direct sunlight as say the 'Shooting Star' does. I'm wondering if your temps happened to heat up around bloom time and that in combination to sun (how much direct sunlight does she get?) started her on a decline. I set 3 gal nursery pots with tropicals in front of my younger gardenias - i.e. Elephant Ears or Plumerias/Brugs/Daturas. Hollytone/Fish Emulsion are both enjoyed by Gardenias. I try not to over use the MG.
This message was edited Jun 16, 2008 3:46 PM
thanks, Chantell for this info. I dont currently have any of the plants in direct sunlight. I'm convinced after reading the info that I've definitely watered too much. Hopefully, the roots will recover. I love this website. You all are so knowledgable and helpful!
Nah...just sharing what's been shared with me in the past...keeping fingers crossed that your baby recovers for you. I'd certainly be interested if someone has luck with an August Beauty IN the ground n my zone.
Yes! I keep two Everblooming Gardenias in my bedroom and I love the scent.
East wall is all window- they get bright sunlight from about 7a.m. till 2p.m., and daylight till evening. They aren't in the direct beams, though the larger one seems to be OK with the few leaves that have stretched into the frying area.
If the roots have not rotted too much - mix 1/2 cup 3 % H2O2 [ hydrogen peroxide ] in a gallon of water . It kills the fungus on roots .
I use it on the wife's orchids once a month to flush out any chemical build up in growing medium .
I also use same mixture on 6 pack plants we buy . I have a plastic tray you put water in to hang wall paper with . I let the plants soak an hour or 2 then plant in ground or pots .
Depending on water in your area you can add more or less H2O2 but not much .
Only give the plants 1/2 strength food . It's better not to burn roots , leaves . Let water stand and reach root temp .
Cold water from facet or hot water from a hose in sun can shock plant - so can planting when it has buds .