Gardenias, with their white jade flowers and rich and fragrant fragrance, have won the love of countless people. When summer comes, the clusters of gardenias blooming in the courtyard and on the balcony always bring a fresh breath. However, some flower lovers find that their gardenias are not as easy to maintain as they think, especially when they are in bloom, and the number of flowers is often not as expected. Actually, this may have something to do with the unique "taste" of gardenias, which particularly like one fertilizer, which is egg shells.
Gardenia's "unique taste"
Gardenia is an acidic soil-loving plant and is particularly sensitive to nutrients in the soil. They have balanced needs for elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but prefer calcium-rich environments. That's why some gardenia lovers have found that applying calcium fertilizer to gardenias has significantly improved plant growth and the number of flowers. Egg shells are a natural source of calcium.
Egg shells are rich in calcium and are easily absorbed by the soil. When eggshells are crushed and incorporated into the soil, they slowly release calcium, improving the pH balance of the soil and providing the gardenia with the calcium it needs. This simple and affordable fertilizer has become the "secret weapon" of many gardening enthusiasts.
How to use eggshell fertilizer
While eggshells are good for gardenias, throwing whole eggshells directly into the soil doesn't work well. The best way is to clean the egg shells, dry them and grind them into a powder. In this way, the eggshell is not only easily absorbed by the soil, but its calcium is also released more quickly. Each time you fertilize, you can sprinkle eggshell powder evenly around the roots of your gardenia and gently stir the soil to allow it to mix well.
Generally speaking, it is sufficient to apply eggshell fertilizer every one to two months, but excessive use may lead to excessive alkalinity of the soil, which can affect the health of gardenias. In addition, while applying eggshell fertilizer, it is also necessary to pay attention to other maintenance measures such as proper watering and light to ensure good growth of gardenias.
Other maintenance points for gardenias
In addition to using eggshells as fertilizer, other maintenance details of gardenias should not be overlooked. Gardenias prefer a moist environment, but are afraid of standing water. Therefore, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged when watering. Especially in the summer when the temperature is high, increasing the air humidity appropriately is helpful for the growth and flowering of gardenias.
In terms of light, gardenias prefer full sunlight, but they can't be exposed to it for long periods of time. When curing indoors, it can be placed on a southeast-facing windowsill to allow it to receive the morning sun while avoiding the strong midday direct sunlight. When it comes to outdoor maintenance, it is ideal to choose a half-shade and half-yang environment.
In addition, gardenias need sufficient nutrients during the growing season, so in addition to eggshell fertilizer, an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer is also indispensable. Around the flowering period, increase the use of phosphate fertilizers to help flower buds differentiate and flowers to open. And after flowering, you can prune the branches and leaves to promote the growth of new branches and prepare them for the next flowering period.
The unique charm of gardenias
Gardenias are not only loved for their beautiful flowers, but also for their rich aroma. This aroma not only purifies the air, but also has a soothing effect. At the end of a busy day, sit quietly by the gardenias, smelling the faint fragrance of flowers, as if all the tiredness has been dispelled.
It is because of this unique charm that gardenias have always had a high status in the horticultural world. Whether it's a garden plant or an indoor potted plant, it can bring endless beauty to people. However, as we have learned, the maintenance of gardenias is not so simple. It requires more care and care from us, especially when it comes to nutritional supplementation.
For those who want their gardenias to be full of flowers, try adding some eggshell powder to them. This natural calcareous fertilizer not only enhances the growth of gardenias, but also allows them to produce more and more beautiful flowers.
Overall, although gardenias are delicate, as long as we take care of them, they will give us back with beautiful flowers and fragrant aromas. I hope that every gardenia lover can enjoy this beautiful gift from nature.