My Gardenia
May 8, 2008 at 2:24 PM I'm not taking credit for this because my gardenia was ready to bloom when I got it, but look what happened last night!
A flower! Yay!
Now, a couple of things regarding this little bugger...
Dayna... You told me to re pot it so I'm going to do that as soon as I find some dirt. I don't want to buy a big bag of it because I don't need a lot (and then I'll be all worried about wasting dirt, which is totally weird, I know), so I need to find a little bag somewhere or bum some off someone. (How funny would that conversation be... "Do you think I could have some of your dirt?")
Karen... I will not touch the buds when they open, I promise. I will smell them, though.
Caryn, Ms. E.... I will make sure to keep it high on a shelf when it's inside so Elvis doesn't eat it and get sick.
Marisol, Frank... I thought about naming her, but I haven't yet. Suggestions?
Aimee, Lizziebell, TTQ, Erin... Thank you for your encouraging words! I can do it!
Ms.... I Googled it again and there seems to be some conflicting ideas on how to best care for gardenias. I read this on HGTV's website...
Enjoy them as houseplants in the winter and set them outside for the warmer months.
They usually perform best in full sun but may appreciate shade during the hottest part of the day in the warmest parts of their hardiness range.
Gardeners in the humid South seem to have the best luck with gardenias planted outdoors where they're basically left alone. Those kept in pots often don't thrive for long, even in the hot and humid climates they prefer.
Reader Comments (8)
Oh my, aren't Gardenias lovely and they have the sweetest smell. I'm tempting a green thumb this summer too and the plants are still alive and blooming, so that's a good sign. I wish you the best with your Gardenia!
Ohhhhh! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! You acknowledged my presence. I have been here since I heard you on the radio one morning begging for a buck. I sent you one. I bought both of your books the day they came out and read them immediately. I absolutely loved them. Actually I was wondering a couple of days ago when you would be writing another book. Soon hopefully.
If you have dollar stores or dime stores around they should have small bags of potting soil.
Believe it or not I am not a gardener, and if I had some dirt I mail some to you.
Tip#1 for you. Go to Starbucks and ask for their coffee grounds. I just went there today for Honey. Apparently, they really improve the potting soil. I think he puts his in his compost tumbler and also around the garden..
Tip #2 Go to the park (or on the street) and find the city workers who plant the flower beds. Ask them for a small bag of the soil they use. Tell them they have done an awesome job at making everything look great and you want your one small plant to thrive just like the ones they planted have.
Starbucks ground are free by the way, they are usually packaged in a big silver bag and placed in an aluminium bin , sometimes hidden so ask. It's part of their "green" giving back to the earth thing..
Awww, I'm so excited! Maybe name her "Dina" (DEE-na)?
My grandmother had them outside her house when I was young and I live in south Louisiana.
Shoe Addict.. that's exactly what I was thinking for a name, but then I went a step further and thought of "Deenie," like that song "Hey Deenie" by Shawn Cassidy. Do you remember that song? Am I dating myself?
Wow I get to enter right after the strange Karyn comment-
Karyn- if you are dating yourself.. well that would be just weirder than I could imagine.. ha ha ha.
But no, you're not dating yourself- hmm let's see- that song came out when I was a teenager/early twenties if I recall. My girlfriend bought me the 45 RPM record (Remember those?) which I still own. So if you ARE dating yourself you're 50, just like me!
Eric Carmen wrote that song- he had it on one of his albums. Eric Carmen of "All By Myself" fame, the song from Dirty Dancing, "Hungry Eyes" and his former group The Raspberries.
Since Elvis is infatuated by the plant, you should name her Priscilla.fcrzw
Karyn,
I forgot to submit a name, but "Deenie" was the name that came to my mind.