I have a gardenia and azalea but I don't know if I need to prune them or not. I live in Zone 7 and tried to prune the gardenia last year but it never bloomed. How do you make it bloom? I don't have any experience at all.
Neither of these shrubs have to be pruned to keep them healthy, but if you want to shape them, you can prune them. Here is information on pruning and other care for gardenias and azaleas:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/when-to-prune-a-gardenia.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/gardenia-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/gardenia-care-to-get-a-gardenia-bush-to-bloom.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/fertilizing-gardenias-in-your-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/gardenia-pests.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/azaleas-noteworthy-shrubs-for-any-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/common-azalea-problems.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/pruning-azaleas.htm
I live in Redding, CA. When temps went to 16 degrees, all of our Gardenias burned. Should I cut them back or just replace the plants (about 8 plants once 36 inches tall. )?
The leaves will regrow as long as the stems are still alive, but it will take some time. Whether you keep them or replace them really depends on how soon you want the plants to look nice again. These articles will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/tips-for-saving-cold-damaged-plants.htm
I bought a nice size gardenia plant last year and planted it in the front yard near the front of the house. I live in Idaho and we had a long, cold winter. The leaves on the plant are brown. Will the plant come out of it, or will I have to replace it?
The following articles should be of some help to you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/gardenia-plant.htm
We live on an island off the east coast of Puerto Rico with its winter season (now) and its wet season (hurricane time). We have older gardenia bushes which have been shaped into trees, and are now about 10' tall. Lately leaves are dropping and yellowing near the base; blooms are there, but not many now. The soil is volcanic and a clay/rocky mix that tends to dry rock hard, but crumbly. No fertilizer has been used since we moved here last March. Any ideas on how to make these plants healthy?
Add some fertilizer or compost. It sounds like it may have a nitrogen deficiency but a well balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-20-20) will help to make sure that it also has the phosphorous it needs to bloom.
Here is more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/fertilizing-gardenias-in-your-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/understanding-nitrogen-requirements-for-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/phosphorus-plant-growth.htm
Can you transplant gardenias in the spring, such as in late February or early March?
You can, but there is a bit more risk to the plant than if it is done in the fall. If there is no other choice but to move them at that time, they will most likely be ok, but if you can wait until fall, you should try to do so. This article will help: you:https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/transplanting-gardenia-plants-planting-gardenia-somewhere-new.htm
Please give me advice on fertilizing a gardenia plant indoors.
Fertilizing these shrubs indoors isn't really any different, though you may want to dilute the fertilizer or apply at half strength. This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/fertilizing-gardenias-in-your-garden.htm
I bought an indoor gardenia plant last fall with beautiful blooms that quickly fell off. I made several changes, including moving from well water to filtered water. I also moved the plant from my cold east-facing bow window to my south-facing picture window, thinking it needed more direct sunlight. Now, not so sure. I live in northwest Indiana. New buds appeared about 2-3 weeks ago, but do not appear to be moving toward opening. The tips of the leaves and the buds are a lighter green than the rest of the leaves, so I assumed it needed fertilizer. I have added Miracid twice now, but do not see any progress. Many of the leaves fell off a while ago with no new leaves appearing. Is this plant salvageable, or have I ruined it?
Thank you for sending us your question. The following article should be of some help to you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/gardenia-flowers-gardenia-buds-falling-off-plant.htm