People who breed houseplants know that gardenia flowers are unique. Beauty they are inferior unless camellia or orchids. And its delicate aroma overshadow even the queen rose. Gardenia was popular at all times.
In the second half of the XIX century it was called the flower of the aristocracy. Men wore a gardenia in his lapel of his jacket, and a woman pinned up hair. Quite often, this plant was mentioned in works of art. Today, the Gardenia room experiencing the peak of popularity: Each grower wants to have it in your collection.
I must say that gardenia very capricious and demanding, however, as any beauty. You can not just buy it, put on the windowsill, and occasionally watered. Why is that? Because, by doing so, you will destroy the flower before it will give you a delicious buds. So how do you please Capricious gardenias? This is what we will discuss in this article.
Overview
Some types of naturally gardenia reach 2 meters in height. It is considered the homeland Japan, China and Taiwan. In the second half of the XVIII century American physician A. Garden cultivate this shrub of the family Rubiaceae, allowing all who wish to enjoy his presence in the house. The plant was named it in his honor.
Most species have large dense gardenia leaves. Blossoms is a houseplant from August to October, spreading around him a wonderful flavor. Coloring buds may be different: white, cream, pink, orange. The main thing to remember plant owners - Gardenia does not like changes in temperature. Therefore, the temperature in the room where the living flower, should not fall below 16 degrees or rise above 25.
Gardenia likes bright light and regular watering. Keep the flower is not in direct sunlight. The most optimal location for the plant is considered to be the east window, and if the choice fell on the south side - you need to cover it at midday.
In poor lighting in the apartment, take care of the additional artificial light. Otherwise, the leaves of the plant dry, becoming grayish pale color, and it will start to hurt. In the summer, when the air temperature at night does not drop below 16 degrees, gardenia can be kept outdoors all day.
Features watering and fertilizing
This room is best to water the flower soft supernatant water at room temperature. It is important that water intended for irrigation, do not contain contaminants lime. Check the condition of the soil - it should always be moist. Drying is extremely harmful to the gardenia. During warmer months, watering should be abundant in the cold - moderate, since excessive moisture can destroy the root system of the plant.
To avoid overcooling the roots under the plant pots enclose the foam. Humidity must necessarily be maintained at the proper level, otherwise the plant will begin to drop leaves and buds. Part of the "water treatment" to help avoid this problem.
In the flowering period only need to spray the air around the plant, trying to keep the flowers did not get water. From March to August gardenia needs feeding. The fertilizer is produced 2-3 times a month, a special solution containing potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.
In autumn and winter care of the flower it depends on the conditions in which it is contained. If it is a warm and bright room equipped with extra lighting - care remains the same. If Gardenia is contained in a cool dark place, preferably gradually convert flower at rest: watering and fertilizing completely canceled. In this state, the plant may lose leaves, do not worry - this is normal. In the spring it will quickly come to life, and again will delight you with its beauty.
Features transplant
Gardenia belongs to the potted plants with root system mochkovogo type. This means that the roots of her very fine and numerous. For their normal development requires loose soil with a high organic content. The acidity of the soil should not be high, pH - not more than 5, 0.
The basis of the soil is not a horse to neutralize the peat. Such composition has a slightly acidic environment in which the plant needs. It can be mixed in equal proportions of sand, peat, turf and ground sheet. At the bottom of the pot must have good drainage to prevent root rot.
Drainage can not be used in the event that the mixture used for landing the following components: 2 parts peat and vermiculite part with the addition of coconut fiber. Such a substrate will not retain water in the pot, so the plant does not threaten the excess moisture. By the way, one of the most frequent causes of death of the flower is just inadequate drainage or no.
Young gardenia needs a transplant every spring. Adult rarely - once in 2-3 years. To create a magnificent crown of the plant, once a year (in February) last year cut the increase (about one third) - this increases branching.
Features of reproduction
Propagated gardenia cuttings. To do this, choose semilignified stems having a length of at least 10 centimeters. Cut them with tops of young shoots. Reproduction only by deflorate and healthy plants, whose leaves do not dry and does not turn yellow. For rooting cuttings placed in water or in a mixture of peat (peat in equal amounts and perlite) and left in a warm place where the temperature is below 24 degrees.
On top of the plant can be covered with foil or glass. To speed up the process of rooting cuttings additionally sprayed and bottom slightly warmed. Young seedlings are transplanted into the ground only with well-developed root system.
When the plant reaches 15 centimeters in height, its top pinch out to stimulate the growth of side shoots. When these shoots grow to 10-12 cm, the procedure is repeated, thereby forming a small but lush bush.
Caring for young gardenias should be the same as for adults: Keep away from direct sunlight, regular watering and keep at the right temperature. Provided that you did everything correctly, after about 7 months young gardenia blossom begins.
The most common problems encountered by owners of gardenia
- Why do the leaves wither, darken and fall off?
Most likely, the irrigation regime is not observed, it is possible - it is insufficient. Sometimes even a drying out of the soil enough to yellowed leaves.
- Why do the leaves become too light and streaked with green?
If you notice a problem in his gardenia, it says about the origin of chlorosis. He comes from an excess of water and lack of iron in the soil. In this case, you need to spray the plant with a special solution and hold fertilizer mixtures containing helirovannye minerals.
- Why is dry, turn yellow and fall off the lower leaves?
This disease is called fugus. To solve the problem, spraying with copper.
- Why turn yellow and dry leaves all at once?
Possibly, the room temperature is below the allowable level. Or used for watering the cold and hard water.
- Why gardenia buds dropped?
During flowering gardenias ever need high humidity. To please him, put the pot on a tray with a wet expanded clay (can substitute peat).
- Why the plant, located in the street, leaves turn yellow and curl?
The reason for this parasite. Too dry air can trigger the appearance of aphids, thrips, spider mites. As a precaution, the plant must be frequently sprayed with water. If you have found pests on the leaves, conduct an appropriate drug treatment.
Of course, include gardenia, flowers which do not leave anyone indifferent, quite difficult. However, it is worth all your effort. With enough patience and desire, you are sure to be able to please this beautiful girl!
