Hello...not sure what I'm doing wrong...have no clue why my buds are falling off. Any ideas?
https://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h159/first_try_2006/?action=view¤t=2012-05-30220721.jpg
USDA zones. They're hardy in those USDA zones. All you need to do is figure out what USDA zone you are in. Most of Illinois, I think, is lower than 7. So, you could leave it out MOSTLY year round, BUT would need to put it in an unheated room (garage, basement, attic, root cellar) when temps drop below 20ºF or so (just to be safe). The only problem is that they're evergreen and would still need light. In your situation, although it's not practical for a single plant, a heated greenhouse would be ideal.
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
USDA cold hardiness zones. They are just code for what is the coldest it usually gets in winter where you are. Here's a website where you can enter your zip code and find out which cold hardiness zone you are in:
https://www.garden.org/zipzone/
Dropping buds is common in gardenias, which are sensitive that way. They will drop buds under a variety of stresses, including just being moved/ touched/ disturbed. But they also drop buds if the soil OR the air is too dry. Air in houses, especially in the winter, is almost always too dry, which is why dodds wasn't thinking they do well indoors. But you said you have been putting it outside daily for 6 hrs? That means you are moving it twice daily? Gardenias HATE being moved and changing location.
So to start with just figure out where they should be now and put them there and LEAVE THEM ALONE!
Dropping of Buds on Gardenia Bushes
A commonly seen problem is gardenia buds falling off plants. This can be caused by a variety of things. Probably the most common reason for gardenia buds falling off plants is a change in location. Gardenias do not like to be disturbed. They are extremely sensitive to being moved or even touched. Try to keep gardenia flower plants in one location, moving as little as possible.
Dropping of buds on gardenia bushes can also be due to improper watering. Gardenias like to be kept moist. If they are allowed to dry out too much, they will respond by dropping their buds. Insufficient watering, as well as overly dry air, causes the buds to rot. Keep the soil evenly moist and increase humidity levels.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/flower/gardenia-flowers-gardenia-buds-falling-off-plant.htm
https://www.garden.org/zipzone/
Dropping buds is common in gardenias, which are sensitive that way. They will drop buds under a variety of stresses, including just being moved/ touched/ disturbed. But they also drop buds if the soil OR the air is too dry. Air in houses, especially in the winter, is almost always too dry, which is why dodds wasn't thinking they do well indoors. But you said you have been putting it outside daily for 6 hrs? That means you are moving it twice daily? Gardenias HATE being moved and changing location.
So to start with just figure out where they should be now and put them there and LEAVE THEM ALONE!
Dropping of Buds on Gardenia Bushes
A commonly seen problem is gardenia buds falling off plants. This can be caused by a variety of things. Probably the most common reason for gardenia buds falling off plants is a change in location. Gardenias do not like to be disturbed. They are extremely sensitive to being moved or even touched. Try to keep gardenia flower plants in one location, moving as little as possible.
Dropping of buds on gardenia bushes can also be due to improper watering. Gardenias like to be kept moist. If they are allowed to dry out too much, they will respond by dropping their buds. Insufficient watering, as well as overly dry air, causes the buds to rot. Keep the soil evenly moist and increase humidity levels.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/flower/gardenia-flowers-gardenia-buds-falling-off-plant.htm