Gardenia - a surprisingly beautiful evergreen shrub with large, "stuffed" or, in another way, double flowers. A native of southern hot edges, this beautiful exotic princess is represented in 250 species in the natural environment and is widely distributed among garden lovers in more sophisticated forms.
Appearance of the plant
Flowers gardenia grow in small flowerpots, reaching a maximum of 50-60 cm in height. In nature, trees can exceed 180 cm. The leaves are smooth, leathery-glossy, shiny, rich in green. The form is elongated, large - up to 10 cm long. Its flowers gardenia often collects into luxuriant inflorescences from 5-6 cups (less often - 4). Sometimes they are single, but then large, from 5 cm or more in circumference. Their virgin white color looks extremely impressive, solemn, elegant, even, you might say, regal. Complement the charm flowers gardenia gentle, very pleasant aroma, well perceptible in the room. Decorate the plant can be both living rooms, and the kitchen, glazed, and in a warm time and an open veranda or terrace. The classic combination of juicy greens and snowy whiteness, a certain element of solemnity allows the use of gardenia flowers and for decorating banquet halls, foyer, office space. For this purpose, large capacity for planting and large plant species are taken. Their flowering occurs in the summer-autumn period.
Gardenia: grooming and growing conditions
As befits true beauties, a pretty capricious and demanding flower - gardenia. How to care for her so that she is healthy and viable? Here there are their secrets and nuances. We will stop on them. First, with the onset of heat and stuffiness, the princess must be sprinkled with water at room temperature, 4-6 times a day. Secondly, so that it does not look like a withered bush, the flowers that began to turn yellow should be regularly removed. Just do not cut them off, but carefully cut them with scissors. To make the bush look neat, in the spring, as soon as the active vegetative period begins, it is necessary to trim the shoots, giving it the desired shape. Process with special polish you need all large-leaved indoor flowers. Care of gardenia in this respect likes the same. Still she is afraid of low temperatures, a draft and all other unfavorable aspects.
Some recommendations
The temperature regime for the plant should be between +16 (minimum) and +22 (maximum) degrees. If the air is hot, it is necessary to make it more damp, for example, by installing a container with water near the pot. And it is better to put the pot itself in a tray with a liquid. He loves gardenia and a lot of light, but not the direct rays of the sun in the summer. Her leaves can get serious burns. And in the winter she will be pleased to luxuriate in direct light. Water prefers the flower is not cold, soft, boiled and sated. The soil in the pot must be moist during the hot season, but not swamped (the root system will rot). And if the soil is over-dried, the plant will fade, dry out. Gardenia does not tolerate high acidity, the norm for it is 5.5, this must be taken into account when fertilizing it with fertilizers. Earth from time to time in the spring and summer must be fertilized with potassium impurities and preparations containing iron. Do not overdo it: chemistry - it is chemistry. Transplanted bushes, as usual, in early spring. Propagation by cuttings. True, they start up the roots quite difficult and need additional fistostimulators.