Gardenia bonsai care

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Gardenia plant is a densely-branching, evergreen shrub.

Due to its arching habit, this gardenia is a great candidate for small to medium bonsai tree as well as natural cascade bonsai style.

The leaves of this plant are opposite, dark green, leathery, and shiny, which are a beautiful contrast to the wax-like flowers, which are pure white to cream colored and have a waxy texture.

Flowers grow at the end of the shoots of the plant and are very fragrant. The main period of flowering is between the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

This type of flower can appear either as a single six-pointed flower or as a double flower. There is an intense scent to these flowers, and their sweetness may seem almost overpowering to some people.

An edible yellow-orange fruit is followed by the blooms of the plant.

Best location to keep Gardenia Bonsai

The plant does well indoors all year round at a bright location, such as at a window. However, it should not be exposed to direct hot sunlight.

It is possible to place the plants outside in a partially shaded area during the summer months. However, this is totally optional.

Mostly gardenia bonsai tree is grown as an indoor bonsai tree.

It is recommended that temperatures should not fall below 53°F (12°C) during the winter months. This will also ensure good flowering. Temperatures that are optimal are between 59 and 64°F (15 and 18°C).

It is recommended that you do not place the bonsai container near or above a heat source during the winter months.

During rest of the year, a temperature range of 70°F to 85°F ( 21°C to 29°C).

In addition to using west or south window, you can even keep it near a north or northeast facing window.

IMP: Refer sunlight requirements for indoor plants for more indoor gardening ideas. Also, refer to do bonsai trees need sunlight for more indoor and outdoor bonsai location ideas.

Propagation of Gardenia

Gardenia tree can be propagated through softwood cuttings. Mid to late summer or spring is a good time to take the cuttings (6-8 inches).

Apply some rooting hormone.

Plant the cuttings in warm soil. Warm soil will promote good rooting. A good temperature for rooting is 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C).

Watering Gardenia Bonsai

Use soft water (water free of dissolved salts such as iron, calcium or magnesium) for irrigating gardenia bonsai tree. However, you can use mineral water. Rain water is the best option if you can.

Throughout the growing season, make sure that the soil remains uniformly moist.

Let the soil dry out between watering during the winter months.

There is a general rule of thumb that applies to winter plants: the colder your plants are, the less water they are going to need.

Do not overwater in an attempt to keep the soil moist. The leaves and flowers will drop.

Read watering bonsai tree for more details.

Wiring Gardenia Bonsai

In order to wire train the gardenia bonsai tree effectively, it is best to start shaping it early, when it is still young, since this is the easiest time.

Be sure to remove the wire before the wire starts to bite into the branches of the tree. It is important to be careful not to damage the bark, which is quite fragile.

A good time to do the wiring is right after the plant has finished blooming, or after the new shoots have become ripe (slightly woody).

Pruning Gardenia Bonsai

When to prune Gardenia bonsai?

How to prune Gardenia bonsai?

You can prune heavy branches at any time; the younger branches should be pruned back hard after the flowers have finished blooming.

It is a good idea to prune young plants in spring once they have developed four to six pairs of leaves, cutting them back to two leaves.

It is advisable to prune mature plants after the flowering period has ended. Cut back to the old woody part of the branch.

By training the plant as a cascade bonsai style, you can take advantage of its natural tendency to splay out a bit as it grows.

You can develop a cascade by cutting back the branches in order to encourage the development of dense branching and then wiring them together.

A formal upright bonsai style can be developed by staking the plant until the trunk of the tree becomes woody enough to support itself on its own.

However, remember that achieving this might take few years.

Repotting Gardenia Bonsai

When to repot Gardenia bonsai?

Gardenia bonsai tree can be repotted every 2 years. Repotting can be done in early spring after flowering time.

Gardenia tree roots can also be pruned at the time of repotting. However, do not remove more than 10% of the system.

You can also line the bonsai pot with a layer of drainage pebbles to prevent the accumulation of stale water.

Because this variety needs good air circulation around the roots, the root ball should be checked yearly in the spring to ensure it has good air circulation.

This species prefers slightly acidic soil.

You can use a basic free-draining acidic bonsai soil mix as a potting soil.

OR

Use a soil mix with sand, peat moss and loam at the ratio of 2:3:1.

Must Read: Bonsai Soil Recipes

Must read : Choosing the right bonsai container

Feeding Gardenia Bonsai

As a general rule, liquid fertilizer should be applied approximately once every ten days during the growing season, and no fertilizer should be applied while the plant is in flower.

In order for the fertilizer to be effective, it should have a relatively high nitrogen content.

During the spring and summer, Gardenia bonsai will also benefit from one or two applications of sequestered iron applied to the soil.

You can also apply a fertilizer meant for acid loving plants such as azaleas and camellias, to your gardenia bonsai once a month.

Read more about bonsai fertilizer and its application.

Diseases and pest of Gardenia Bonsai

The gardenia bonsai tree can be attacked by caterpillars, aphids, scales, mealy bugs, thrips (flower buds) and chlorosis.

Aphids, scale and mealy bugs can be removed manually. Or by using a water jet. If the infestation persists, you can use some systemic insecticide.

Or you can also wash the tree with diluted soapy water (and clean this water with fresh water) from time to time to proactively prevent such pest infestation.

Tiny black colored thrips occur on the flower buds and flowers. A systemic pyrethroid can be used. (cyfluthrin, permethrin, bifenthrin, lambda cyhalothrin, etc.)

Chlorosis is yellowing of leaves. It can happen due to many factors such as high soil pH, poor water drainage, lack of nutrients.

Gardenia bonsai care

These trees are native to tropical and subtropical regions.

Gardenia bonsai care presents a few challenges in temperate climates. Yellowing and subsequent loss of leaves and flower buds can occur when conditions are too warm, too wet, or water is too hard.

A constant temperature and the avoidance of cold wind are the best ways to prevent flower buds from dropping. Hence, do not change the location of the bonsai frequently.

It is important not to let gardenias get “cold, wet feet.” They should also be protected from dry air.

Make sure the Gardenia tree is not exposed to cold wind if the windows are opened for ventilation in winter.

Yellow leaves mean that nitrogen is lacking, so you should add a high nitrogen feed to your gardenia bonsai.

The petals of the flowers should not be touched, as it will cause brown stains to form on them.