Declining Gardenia

Question

I’ve had a gardenia bush (in a container) for the past year. It was recently full of flowers, but I noticed thrips on them. I sprayed the plant, including unopened flowers, with a product named Sevin. I also fertilized with an azalea/gardenia fertilizer. Within days, the plant has turned yellow. Most of the leaves and flowers have fallen off. What did I do wrong? Can this plant be saved?

Answer 1

Try treating the plant with neem oil. These articles should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/controlling-thrips.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/helping-a-gardenia-bush-with-yellow-leaves.htm