Problems with growing gardenia: blackening and falling foliage
Not all growers undertake to grow the delicate beauty of gardenia, since they are frightened off by her whims. Indeed, this flower is quite demanding and needs a clear implementation of all recommendations. Its dense leaves only at first glance seem strong and powerful. In fact, they are the ones who suffer first of all, ranging from discoloration to abscission. One of the common problems is the appearance of black spots, and further drying of the aerial part of the plant. See gardenia photos!
There may be several reasons why gardenia leaves turn black and fall off:
- care errors;
- lack of nutrition;
- damage by pests.
Care errors
Leaves gardenias begin to become covered with ugly black spots and fly around as a result:
- Infrequent or too frequent watering... The gardenia watering regime should have a middle ground: it is necessary that the substrate has time to dry out between waterings, but at the same time it should not be allowed to dry completely. In dry soil, gardenia also dries up, but if the soil is wet all the time, its roots begin to rot, respectively, the bush itself disappears. Solution to the problem: when overfilling it is good to dry the soil, if it is underfilled - urgently moisten it. It is preferable to use bottom watering, leaving the pot in a container of water for the time required for the soil to be saturated with moisture.
- Low air humidity... Dry air is no less dangerous for a flower, especially during the heating season. Solution to the problem: Place a drip tray near the water, do not place the gardenia near the battery.
- Draft... Almost all plants, including gardenia, do not like currents of cold air. When airing the room, it is better to rearrange the pot.
- Sunburn... Although the flower loves the sun, its direct rays leave ugly spots on the leaves. Spraying a flower under the sun is no less dangerous - water only enhances the scorching effect. Solution to the problem: move the pot to a window sill with diffused lighting.
Ideal conditions for keeping gardenias: western windows (or southern ones if shaded), warm, but not African heat (in winter - light coolness), high air humidity.
Lack of food
Gardenia needs a balanced diet, especially the plant loves such an element as iron. With its lack, the flower loses its decorative appearance. To help the bush, you should feed it with magnesium sulfate, copper sulfate or Ferovit.
For the prevention and complex treatment of iron deficiency, citric acid must be added to the gardenia water.
Pests on the bush
Leaves disappear if a spider mite has settled on them. It sucks out the juices and braids the bush with invisible cobwebs, besides, it can go to other plants. If a pest is identified, the flower must be isolated, all affected leaves must be removed and several treatments carried out Aktellikom or Acarin.
Since the mite is afraid of moisture, to prevent its appearance, it is necessary to maintain high humidity in the room and regularly spray the gardenia.