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Gardenia not growing

sazzle-sazzle- Posts: 21
in Problem solving
This is a picture of a Gardenia that I planted 3 years ago. It has remained this size and I’ve only had one flower. Any ideas what I can be doing wrong??

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    That's really small...does it have enough sun and food? Looks like it's suffering from chlorosis too, the leaves should be deep green. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • sazzle-sazzle- Posts: 21
    It’s in the sun and fed regularly. I’ll try treating it for Chlorosis. Any suggestions?
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    edited June 2019
    Did you plant it in acid (ericaceous) compost? It should be watered with rain water. It has chlorosis which means it can't absorb iron from alkali soil, bit like us being anaemic. Gardenias don't like afternoon sun, but they do like light. Morning sun should be OK.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • sazzle-sazzle- Posts: 21
    What do I do about Chlorosis? Any ideas?
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    A dose of Epsom salts will help alongside with some sequested iron feed. Maybe also worth top dressing with some ericaceous compost to give it a boost and see if it will coax it to grow much more. My plant has gone a bit yellow currently so will follow my advice too 😉

    Happy to be corrected on this course of action. After all we all learn as we go along. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Epsom salts - ratio is 15ml to 5 litres of distilled or rain water.  Use in a watering can with its rose fitted and pour over the leaves.  Contains magnesium so is good for all plants but especially the ericaceous ones whose leaves are too pale because of calcium in the soil or tap water.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • sazzle-sazzle- Posts: 21
    Thanks everyone for your help 👍🏻😊
  • sazzle-sazzle- Posts: 21
    Ok thanks 😊
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