Gardenia indoor plant

Question

I have a lovely gardenia plant in my home. The foliage is green, it is loaded with buds but the buds do not want to open. I keep the soil moist, fertilize it regularly and mist the plant. What am I doing wrong? Gardenias are my favorite flower and I am frustrated because it won’t bloom. I have it at an east window where it gets lots of light and the temperature is 70 degrees. Help!!

Answer 1

If the buds are hard or crusty, it is possible that you have thrips. They are hard to see and they cause damage to the buds like that. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/controlling-thrips.htm

This article will help if you feel it is not thrips: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/gardenia-flowers-gardenia-buds-falling-off-plant.htm

Even if the buds are not technically falling off, the causes for falling off would also be for buds drying out that was not caused by pests.