For some reason, I couldn’t add text when I created this post. Some context: I accidentally used the wrong type of plant food and burned my gardenia with too much nitrogen about two months ago. I immediately rinsed the roots and repotted it with new soil, but all the leaves and most branches are gone. I examined the roots recently and I think they’re still alive, though very fragile and tender. I’d appreciate any suggestions on how to save this gardenia. Thanks!
_LadyMeowmalade
In my experience (florist and plant lover) gardenias are very fragile and have shallow root systems. I only ever got my gardenia to flower ONCE with no fertilizer. They are also magnates for spider mites as an FYI. I overwintered mine in our basement at 55 degrees. The next spring it came back but I overwatered it and it died. Hopefully yours will bounce back. Take a sharp sterile knife and make a shallow slice on the bark. If it is still green, it has life, if not, she may be a goner. Also, it may take weeks for it to recover. Hope this helps!
cache_ing
I don’t know much about gardenia plants, but that soil looks awfully wet. Is that just the picture? Especially while a plant is recovering I wouldn’t leave the soil that moist.
actualllychrome
… Oh boy. I’m gonna be so real, I don’t have much hope for this one.
If the roots look fine, there may be hope yet, but with absolutely no leaves left and the stem not looking too hot either… Well. If you want to try and save it, either leach it (meaning you excessively water the plant to get the excess nutrients out of the soil. You could also save the resulting drained fertilizer water and use it for other plants. Make sure you have excellent drainage for that, though, so the plant doesn’t sit in sopping wet soil for too long. Also disclaimer: Leaching is usually done for outdoor plants that sit in the ground vs. potted houseplants. I’ve never tried it before on a houseplant), or just wash the roots and repot with fresh soil.
It’ll take a while for this plant to bounce back, if it does at all. That will be one hell of a game of patience. Also: Check for pests regularly. The plant will be vulnerable as hell. Hope it works out for you! Good luck!
4 Comments
For some reason, I couldn’t add text when I created this post. Some context: I accidentally used the wrong type of plant food and burned my gardenia with too much nitrogen about two months ago. I immediately rinsed the roots and repotted it with new soil, but all the leaves and most branches are gone. I examined the roots recently and I think they’re still alive, though very fragile and tender. I’d appreciate any suggestions on how to save this gardenia. Thanks!
In my experience (florist and plant lover) gardenias are very fragile and have shallow root systems. I only ever got my gardenia to flower ONCE with no fertilizer. They are also magnates for spider mites as an FYI. I overwintered mine in our basement at 55 degrees. The next spring it came back but I overwatered it and it died. Hopefully yours will bounce back. Take a sharp sterile knife and make a shallow slice on the bark. If it is still green, it has life, if not, she may be a goner. Also, it may take weeks for it to recover. Hope this helps!
I don’t know much about gardenia plants, but that soil looks awfully wet. Is that just the picture? Especially while a plant is recovering I wouldn’t leave the soil that moist.
… Oh boy. I’m gonna be so real, I don’t have much hope for this one.
If the roots look fine, there may be hope yet, but with absolutely no leaves left and the stem not looking too hot either… Well. If you want to try and save it, either leach it (meaning you excessively water the plant to get the excess nutrients out of the soil. You could also save the resulting drained fertilizer water and use it for other plants. Make sure you have excellent drainage for that, though, so the plant doesn’t sit in sopping wet soil for too long. Also disclaimer: Leaching is usually done for outdoor plants that sit in the ground vs. potted houseplants. I’ve never tried it before on a houseplant), or just wash the roots and repot with fresh soil.
It’ll take a while for this plant to bounce back, if it does at all. That will be one hell of a game of patience. Also: Check for pests regularly. The plant will be vulnerable as hell. Hope it works out for you! Good luck!