The gardenia growing season is usually over by the fall, so cuttings taken then won’t grow as well. The branches will be more dried out and hard.
Use a sharp pair of gardening scissors so you get a clean cut. It doesn’t matter if the cutting has a flower on it or not. If it does have a flower, you’ll remove it later on. Make sure the branch is healthy and has no brown spots on it. Totally green branches will grow much better.
Don’t tear the leaves off. This can damage the cutting and make it vulnerable to mold growth. If the cutting has a flower, snip this off as well. A flower takes energy away from the cutting and it will have trouble growing a root system.
You can also use an equal mixture of peat moss and perlite or perlite and vermiculite. Don’t use regular potting soil, because it doesn’t drain as well. A small pot, just a few inches deep and wide, is best for a new clipping so the root system develops better. You can transplant the cutting later on when it develops a root system.
Don’t waterlog the plant. Just make the soil moist. If water pools on the top, you added too much.
Buy rooting hormone from nurseries or garden centers. If you aren’t sure which product is best, consult an employee. Don’t dip the cutting directly into the bottle of hormone. This will contaminate the rest of it.
Don’t push the cutting into the soil without making a hole first. This will rub the hormone off. If you’re planting multiple cuttings in the same pot, make sure to leave at least 3 inches (7. 6 cm) between them so the roots don’t get tangled up.
If the temperature outside is too cool, you can grow the cutting inside. Leave it by a window in indirect sunlight and make sure you keep the indoor temperature at least 75 °F (24 °C). You can also grow it in a greenhouse.
Don’t let any leaves touch the plastic. This makes them more susceptible to mold. Either blow in more air or use a bigger bag so the leaves have enough room. Open the bag to water the plant, then seal it back up.
Remember not to waterlog the plant. Don’t let water pool on the soil. If the soil dries out too much, the gardenia will lose its ability to flower.
New growth is a sign that the cutting is developing roots. Look for new leaves or growth on the existing leaves. This indicates that the cutting has a root system and is ready for transplanting.
The pot size depends on how large you plan to grow the gardenia. If you’ll be pruning it to keep it small, then a pot less than 12 in (30 cm) will work. If you want to let it grow, then use a large pot at least 15 in (38 cm) in width. When the plant reaches this level of maturity, you no longer need the plastic bag. If you used a different potting mixture besides peat moss and sand, use the same mixture in the new pot.
You can also move the plant around throughout the day if no spots get consistent sunlight. Move the pot as the sun moves.
Normal fertilizer application is sprinkling some around the base of the plant. Apply it in the morning or evening, when the temperature is cooler. Use a small shovel to avoid getting any on your hands, and wash your hands after handling the chemicals. Follow the specific application instructions on the product that you use. Particularly, don’t apply more than directed. Over-fertilization can make the gardenias build up too much salt and damage the root system.
Planting in the spring is best so the plant has several months of warm weather. You can also continue growing the plant in a pot. Get a bigger pot if you need it, or prune the plant so it doesn’t outgrow the pot.
