Monday, February 22, 2010

Gardenia Buds


Gardenia Bud
Gardenia taitensis
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If you have never been introduced to or seen a Gardenia plant in flower than you have truly missed something special. This plant grows as an evergreen shrub to a small tree (up to 15m tall) and has exacting cultural requirements but can be an easy houseplant to grow. They have glossy deep green foliage that is a nice compliment to the creamy white flowers.
Some of the cultural requirements for successfully growing gardenia outside include but is not limited to:

Bright light (But a little shade in the hottest areas)
Acid Moist Soil (good drainage)
High humidity
Good air circulation
Heavy fertilization
Frost free location with Cool nighttime temperatures, around 60 F is ideal

They sound like a pain but that is really not the case. You have to watch out for various molds (especially black mold), fungus and insect infestations too.

Our Gardenia is blooming in he house right now and it is permeating the air with the heavenly fragrance of the flowers. We didn’t do anything special to the hose plant just gave it a bight window for the winter and regular water it spends summers outside.

This next flower was blooming on Maui and I hadn’t seen anything quite like this daisy before. It was growing at about 1600 feet of elevation and kind of reminded me of a Gerber Daisy but I am not sure.



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Thanks for all the comments and emails of support. This is again being posted from the Hospital. I am feeling a 100% better but still have to be subjected to a battery of tests and will probably be here another two days. It sucks, I miss my dog!

6 comments:

Lin said...

Oh, I would miss my dog, too! Can you post a picture of him/her? Did you get to go to Maui? There is a plant that grows only at the top of Haleakala, it is very pretty and almost went extinct. I have pictures and the name and can look it up for you. That flower is gorgeous. Hope you get home to see your pup soon! (like tomorrow)

Fountain Hills Landscaping said...

These flowers are amazing! Just don't pick em' because I know the wilt really quickly!

Tankar från Trädgårdsmästarn; Hillevi said...

Oboy, I clicked under your gardenia and went straight to heaven...:-))
Wonderful photos, it must have been a dreamtrip!

Cheers from Hillevissan

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

And your dog misses you.
Love the Gardenia, all of mine are in the garden. Some have buds already.

Diane Dehler said...

Gardenia's have the best scent on earth and the green promises paradise. The pink flower is cool. Sounds like you have been having fun.

Kala said...

I love gardenias - one of the most fragrant flowers! Glad to here you are feeling better. <3