This article will look at how to grow gardenias from cuttings and the perfect growing conditions these plants need.
Gardenias are one of the most beautiful flowers in the world. They are a large genus of plants that contain more than 200 species. The most popular gardenia is the one with fragrant white flowers. Gardenias are mostly grown for their lovely fragrance and decorative purpose. The plants are also used as medicinal plants in some countries. Gardenias can be found growing in many parts of the world. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions.
Some gardenias can grow in temperate climates too, but these are not very common. Gardenias are easily propagated from cuttings, and it is a simple and easy way to grow gardenias, and we will look at an in-depth how-to grow these beautiful plants from cuttings.
Read more about How To Care For Gardenias In Pots
Steps On How To Grow Gardenias From Cuttings
Step 1: Source for the cuttings.
The best time to start planting is late winter or early spring, when your soil has warmed up and has been receiving some rain. Choose a warm spot in your home where you can get at least six hours of bright light a day. You should be able to place your cuttings in pots that are at least 2 inches deep. You’ll need to give the pots about 6 inches of space between them.
If the cuttings dry out too much, they won’t root well. If you’ve never tried growing cuttings before, you may be wondering how you will know when the cuttings have rooted. The first sign that your cuttings are ready to move outdoors will be little green leaves poking through the soil. When this happens, you can either remove the cuttings from the pots or leave them where they are.
Step 2: Prepare your cutting.
If you’re starting with new cuttings, make sure that each cutting is at least 3 to 4 inches long. You should be able to use a pair of scissors to trim the stem at a 45-degree angle. Once trimmed, place the cuttings in a shallow container filled with moist soil.
If you’ve started with old cuttings, you’ll need to decide whether you want to keep them as cuttings or as plants. If you do plan to keep them as cuttings, you’ll need to prepare them for a potting mix. You can add a little sand or peat moss to your potting mix, or you can skip this step and just plant the cuttings directly into your garden.
Step 3: Pot up your cuttings.
Once your cuttings are planted in the pots, cover the roots with about an inch of soil. This will help keep the soil from drying out too much. You can water the pots to keep the soil moist, but don’t over-water, or your cuttings will rot. If you have more than one cutting, space them about 1 inch apart in the pot. You can also add a layer of gravel to the bottom of the pot. This will help prevent water from getting trapped under the cuttings and will give the roots a bit more space.
Step 4: Place the pots outside.
You’ll want to move your cuttings outside as soon as possible after planting them, so they have time to grow strong roots. To do this, you’ll need to be sure that the pots have been placed in a sheltered spot. It’s also important to be sure that there is no direct sunlight on the pots. If the soil gets too hot, it can burn the cuttings.
Step 5: Water the cuttings.
If you’re starting with new cuttings, water them about once a week until the roots are about 1/2 inch long. If you’re starting with old cuttings, water them about once a month until they are about 1 inch long. You should notice the first signs of roots poking through the soil after about three months.
Step 6: Grow the cuttings.
It will take at least a year for your gardenias to flower. To encourage strong growth, you’ll need to give them at least six hours of bright light a day. If the cuttings dry out too much, they won’t root well. If you’ve never tried growing cuttings before, you may be wondering how you will know when the cuttings have rooted. The first sign that your cuttings are ready to move outdoors will be little green leaves poking through the soil. When this happens, you can either remove the cuttings from the pots or leave them where they are.
Step 7: Replant the cuttings.
Once you’ve planted your cuttings in the ground, you’ll need to keep them watered and fertilized. If you’ve planted them directly into your garden, you will need to fertilize them and water them. If you’ve put them in pots, you’ll need to give them an inch of compost to help keep them moist. You can also add a layer of sand or peat moss to your potting mix. This will help prevent water from getting trapped under the cuttings and will give the roots a bit more space.
Step 8: Keep the plants healthy.
You should notice the first signs of roots poking through the soil after about three months. If the soil gets too hot, it can burn the cuttings. To avoid this, you’ll need to be sure that the pots have been placed in a sheltered spot.
And this is an easy way on how to grow gardenias from cuttings.
In Conclusion
This article not only talks about how to grow gardenias from cuttings but also answers the commonly asked questions that most people want to know about growing this plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you root gardenia cuttings in water?
Yes gardenia can be rooted in water by placing a wrapped stem/cutting into a bottle of water, leaving the leaves as a stopper at the top of the bottle. The stem must be submerged at least 3/4 into the water and the bottle placed in a spot that gets morning sunlight but not afternoon sunlight.
Can I start a gardenia from a cutting?
Yes. A good method is to use small sticks and place them in a shallow container filled with peat moss. Place the cuttings on the bottom of the container, and then place it in the sun for 2-3 weeks. When the roots begin to grow, remove the sticks, and place the plants in a sunny location where they can get 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. When the plants are large enough, they can be planted in a pot or a window box.
How do I take gardenia cuttings?
Start by cutting off the stem at the top of the plant. This will ensure that the plant will not lose any of its energy and nutrients. Next, you will need to separate the leaves from the stems. Now, you will need to cut the stem at a 90-degree angle. The stem should be cut about 1/4 of an inch from the bottom. If you cut the stem too close to the bottom, the plant will not grow properly. You may have to cut the stem several times. After cutting, the plant is ready to be rooted in a shallow container filled with peat moss. When the roots begin to grow, remove the plants from the container and place them in a sunny location where they can get 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. When the plants are large enough, they can be planted in a pot or a window box.
How long do gardenia cuttings take to root?
Cuttings take between 1-2 months to root. If you wait too long, the plant will die. You can tell when the plant has died because the leaves will turn brown and fall off. The plant will also stop growing.
Learn more about A Complete Guide On How To Care For Gardenias
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