Gardenia 'Radicans' (potted, majolica ceramic)
ornamental_acid_loving_potted · Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans' — dwarf creeping garden gardenia (Bahçe Gardenyası)
Planned next action
Recipe: -
When: 2026-05-29 · any (photo + visual assessment only)
Triple intervention 2026-05-24 (flush + SOSC peat 1.5cm + FERROS 3g/3L drench) all in dehumidifier water. Need 5 days to see new growth response.
Watering regime
Summer: every 2-3 days (container, in heat)
Cooler: every 5-7 days
Method: Stick finger 2 cm down — water if dry. Gardenia hates BOTH wet feet and dry-out — consistent moisture is key.
Source: PRIMARY ionizer acidic stream (pH 6.13 measured) → SECONDARY rainwater → TERTIARY dehumidifier IF fresh sample tests < 6.5 → BACKUP tap + acidifier. NEVER raw tap. Note: dehumidifier sample 2026-05-15 measured pH 7.21 — currently demoted to backup.
⚠ Phyto-watch (9)
Triple intervention applied: 5L dehumidifier flush + 5L SOSC peat top-dress (1.5cm over 65cm pot) + 3g FERROS in 3L drench (all dehumidifier water). Drainage confirmed flowing. New growth on 5-24 photo darker green = FERROS reaching new tissue; older leaves remain chlorotic (irreversible).
→ 5-day observation. 2026-05-29 follow-up photo: assess new growth color saturation + leaf turgor. If still chlorotic: 2nd peat layer or elemental sulfur top-dress. Cat-urine diagnostic deferred (peat now masks scent — re-test on next mulch disturbance). Continue dehumidifier water for all subsequent waterings (no more tap water for this pot).
Fe chlorosis correction — FERROS EDDHA now available for true soil-drench Fe delivery in alkaline conditions
→ UPGRADE the chlorosis-correction protocol: instead of (or in addition to) Topraq-Fe foliar, apply FERROS EDDHA 2 g dissolved in 1 L acidic water as SOIL DRENCH. EDDHA chelation stays bioavailable even at pH 8+ (DURPETA top-dress + Mirabilis Mirabilis bottom). Single drench active 2-3 months. Reduces need for repeated Topraq-Fe foliar visits.
Fe chlorosis CONFIRMED — new leaves show classic interveinal pattern (lime-yellow with green veins); some older leaf necrotic spots
→ (1) IMMEDIATE foliar: gardenia-chlorosis-prevention-Fe-Mg-Mn recipe (was scheduled week 3, NOW pulled to day-1 — day-2 max). (2) CONCURRENT soil drench: Base-Line 1.5 + Topraq-Fe 1.0 + Topraq-Mg 1.0 mL/L in ionizer acidic water, 500 mL around root zone. (3) URGENT procurement: SOSC peat + elemental sulfur for top-dress correction. (4) Watch new leaves emerging in 7-14 days — they should be greener.
DURPETA Universal peat top-dress — pH pending measurement
→ Measure pH of top-dress layer + still-Mirabilis bottom layer with soil meter. If top >6.5 → scratch in 1 tsp elemental sulfur AND/OR add SOSC peat layer when available. Foliar Fe chlorosis spray tomorrow proceeds regardless (foliar independent of soil).
Iron chlorosis risk RAISED back to HIGH — no substrate dilution at planting, surrounding soil at pH ~6.5
→ (1) Watch leaves daily — first chlorosis sign = yellowing between veins on newer leaves; (2) Top-dress 2-3 cm SOSC peat ASAP after bag arrives (do NOT disturb root ball); (3) Be ready to PULL FORWARD the chlorosis-prevention spray (gardenia-chlorosis-prevention-Fe-Mg-Mn) from week 3 to week 2 if any yellowing appears; (4) Watering must use ionizer acidic stream (pH 6.13) — never tap.
pH drift upward from alkaline tap water over weeks
→ Use rainwater or acidified water (vinegar 1 drop/L OR Fast-Line 0.3 mL/L). Re-check soil pH with meter every 4 weeks.
Cl- accumulation risk from sustained ionizer-acidic-stream irrigation (acidic stream concentrates anions)
→ Monthly heavy leach until 20-30% drains; mix in rainwater when available; re-measure soil EC every 4 weeks; alert if leaf-tip browning appears (Cl toxicity).
Post-transplant recovery observation window — plant appears sparser than pre-transplant variety photo
→ Inspect daily for 7 days. Expect: leaf droop normalizes within 48h; new growth visible by week 2. CONCERN signals: continued leaf drop > week 1, blackened stems, mushy soil/odor (root rot).
Soil pH drift monitoring — accelerated cadence post-Option-C
→ Re-measure soil pH with the probe every 2 WEEKS (was monthly). Three points: (a) at edge of pot (Mirabilis-soil zone), (b) at center near root ball, (c) at depth ~5 cm. Alert thresholds: any reading > 6.5 = act immediately (top-dress sulfur + acidic foliar drench).
Photos (7)
Day-1 post-transplant — CONFIRMED Fe chlorosis pattern: new leaves (top) lime-green/yellow with veins still visible (classic interveinal). Some lower leaves with brown nekrotic spots. Pull-forward trigger for chlorosis-prevention recipe.
Day-0 post-transplant — top-down view in majolica pot, freshly planted, soil level set
Day-0 post-transplant — side view of majolica pot with gardenia in place
Sprays (3)
- · complete
gardenia-chlorosis-prevention-Fe-Mg-Mn · foliar_complete (gardenia + ortancas + pittosporum sprayed; gardenia + pittosporum soil drench done)
outdoor-potted-fe-drench-multi-zone-monthly · complete