A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Plant pests and problems gardenia

Help! My newly potted hardy gardenia has leaves turning yellow and falling off. Any ideas?

gardenias are very picky about thier soil! I gave up growing them, but I'd bet it has something to do with a deficeincy of some kind in the soil.
someone more knowledgeable should be along shortly to help you out.

Gardenias like acidic soil conditions. Try a little Miracid or other brand of acidic plant food. And a little aluminum sulphate will help keep the soil a better balance for them as well and help them absorb what they need.
It sounds a lot like transplant shock and the best cure for that is time to recover at this point.

I know people say this really doesn't work but when my gardenias, which are outside in the ground, get yellow leaves I use Epsom Salts.

I have a huge potted gardenia that is out in the summer and inside for the winter. When I bring it in it goes through a period of leaf drop but adjusts fairly quickly. Here is what I have found out about them. They like acidic soil, bright but not direct sun. When inside it resides in front of a south facing sliding door in the kitchen/dinette. In the summer I water it like crazy, but in the winter I water it once or twice a week and never let it get really soaked as it does not like to have its roots sitting in water for prolonged periods of time. It likes to be warm during the day but cool at night. I have transplanted it several times but not very recently as it is in the biggest pot I could find. I use Miracid on it once a month or if I see the leaves beginning to yellow a bit. Right now it has tons of buds and blossoms and smells divine. Good luck!