I live in southern Georgia and have gardenias with leaves that turn black and then die. Can you help me?
It sounds like you have sooty mold. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm
My Gardenia plant leaves brown out on the edges. The plant flowers once a year but continues to look sickly. I fertilized often (Miracle Grow) and also used a liquid acid booster fertilizer, but the plant has not responded as I would like. Any advice would be appreciated.
Typically brown edges on leaves is an indication that the plant is not getting enough water. Something may be constricting the roots or it may simply need to be watered more often. This article has more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/what-causes-brown-edges-on-leaves-of-plant.htm
I live just south of Livingston, Texas. Is mid-February too late to trim my gardenias?
You can prune in mid-February, but if you do, you will significantly reduce the number of blooms you will get in the spring. In order to prune without hurting the blooms, you should wait until after the plant's blooms have faded, which should be in the summer. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/when-to-prune-a-gardenia.htm
We recently acquired a gardenia topiary with some buds on it. Directions say 60 degree temperatures at night; however, we live in southern Florida where the outside temperature is rarely 60 degrees at night. Do you have any suggestions so that we may have successful blooms on our potted plant?
Placing it in a shady location will help. I have also heard of people placing ice cubes on the top of the soil in the evening to help bring down the temperatures.
My gardenia bush has mealy bugs. How do I get rid of them?
This article will help you with mealy bugs:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/mealybugs-white-residue-on-plants-leaves.htm
When should you trim back a gardenia bush?
This article will help you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/when-to-prune-a-gardenia.htm
With the recent snow and cold snap in the South, some of my gardenia shrubs have turned brown and thin. How can I tell if they are dead or just dormant? Will I have to wait until spring to find out?