Gardenia bush struggling - need help
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Re: Gardenia bush struggling - need help
I see signs of chlorosis. I saw a hint of that in the first picture, but it's pretty pronounced in the others.
Gardenias prefer soil that is somewhat acidic. If your soil ph is too high, the plant may not be able to use the iron in the soil.
You said there was plenty of rain while you were gone. How much was there? Too much water can lead to chlorosis, also.
You could add some chelated iron to the soil for a relatively quick fix. A foliar iron spray will be even quicker, but won't last long. Incorporating some sulfur into the soil is very slow working, but can last a year or more.
It could also be magnesium deficiency instead of (Or in addition to) iron deficiency. Epsom salt can be used for magnesium deficiency. Some garden centers sell out for a lot less than what it costs in the pharmacy.
Gardenias prefer soil that is somewhat acidic. If your soil ph is too high, the plant may not be able to use the iron in the soil.
You said there was plenty of rain while you were gone. How much was there? Too much water can lead to chlorosis, also.
You could add some chelated iron to the soil for a relatively quick fix. A foliar iron spray will be even quicker, but won't last long. Incorporating some sulfur into the soil is very slow working, but can last a year or more.
It could also be magnesium deficiency instead of (Or in addition to) iron deficiency. Epsom salt can be used for magnesium deficiency. Some garden centers sell out for a lot less than what it costs in the pharmacy.
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Re: Gardenia bush struggling - need help
I put out some Dr. Earth Acid Lovers organic fert around the time that I planted it..i know that my soil is currently fairly ph neutral. So I am hoping that adding a little of that periodically will help. However, I can try the chelated iron. Is that in the form of a spray?bpgreen wrote: ↑May 27th, 2017, 12:19 amI see signs of chlorosis. I saw a hint of that in the first picture, but it's pretty pronounced in the others.
Gardenias prefer soil that is somewhat acidic. If your soil ph is too high, the plant may not be able to use the iron in the soil.
You said there was plenty of rain while you were gone. How much was there? Too much water can lead to chlorosis, also.
You could add some chelated iron to the soil for a relatively quick fix. A foliar iron spray will be even quicker, but won't last long. Incorporating some sulfur into the soil is very slow working, but can last a year or more.
It could also be magnesium deficiency instead of (Or in addition to) iron deficiency. Epsom salt can be used for magnesium deficiency. Some garden centers sell out for a lot less than what it costs in the pharmacy.
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Re: Gardenia bush struggling - need help
It can be. But spraying chelated iron is kind of a waste.
You can spray any water soluble iron on the leaves for an immediate green up. Chelated iron goes to the soil. It is slower acting, but also longer acting. If you had a lot of rain, you could be seeing water induced chlorosis, which should be temporary.
You can spray any water soluble iron on the leaves for an immediate green up. Chelated iron goes to the soil. It is slower acting, but also longer acting. If you had a lot of rain, you could be seeing water induced chlorosis, which should be temporary.
- MorpheusPA
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Re: Gardenia bush struggling - need help
One other longer-term possibility is to sprinkle ferrous sulfate around the bush. Over time, it'll acidify the soil, plus add iron at the same time. One ounce across the entire root system three times yearly would be more than enough.
Chelated iron will need to be added at first as well--the ferrous sulfate will rapidly bind in more neutral or alkaline soils.
Don't use aluminum sulfate, even though it's more effective and cheaper. Although gardenia are extremely tolerant of it, aluminum is toxic to most plants that prefer a more neutral environment. Iron isn't toxic until it reaches absolutely ridiculous levels.
Chelated iron will need to be added at first as well--the ferrous sulfate will rapidly bind in more neutral or alkaline soils.
Don't use aluminum sulfate, even though it's more effective and cheaper. Although gardenia are extremely tolerant of it, aluminum is toxic to most plants that prefer a more neutral environment. Iron isn't toxic until it reaches absolutely ridiculous levels.
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Re: Gardenia bush struggling - need help
One thing I forgot to mention is that you shouldn't use a foliar spray when it's hot because that can cause burning.
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Re: Gardenia bush struggling - need help
I just ordered a 5 pound bag of the powder version of this on Amazon for $15. Going to see if it works. I'll keep you guys updated.MorpheusPA wrote: ↑May 28th, 2017, 9:43 amOne other longer-term possibility is to sprinkle ferrous sulfate around the bush. Over time, it'll acidify the soil, plus add iron at the same time. One ounce across the entire root system three times yearly would be more than enough.
Chelated iron will need to be added at first as well--the ferrous sulfate will rapidly bind in more neutral or alkaline soils.
Don't use aluminum sulfate, even though it's more effective and cheaper. Although gardenia are extremely tolerant of it, aluminum is toxic to most plants that prefer a more neutral environment. Iron isn't toxic until it reaches absolutely ridiculous levels.
Right now the bush appears to be doing ok, but has no blooms anymore. They all have died and fallen off. Sad day...
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Re: Gardenia bush struggling - need help
Here is what I purchased. Will this work??
5 Pounds Ferrous Sulfate Powder "Greenway Biotech, Inc. Brand" Heptahydrate 20% Water Soluble Iron Sulfate https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KJL5ZL4/re ... mzb4EPS09V
5 Pounds Ferrous Sulfate Powder "Greenway Biotech, Inc. Brand" Heptahydrate 20% Water Soluble Iron Sulfate https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KJL5ZL4/re ... mzb4EPS09V
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