Willy World: Gardenia mishap

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»	Willy World » Members History » Forum Life Archive 2005 » Gardenia mishap

Author

Topic: Gardenia mishap

merlnich
Gardener

posted

Hello. Well, obviously I am new. I have a question that I feel somewhat silly asking. I have a very small Gardenia plant that I brought up to Seattle from Mississippi. It was a cutting and I have it planted in a pot and it has been on my front porch and doing well throughout the summer. I brought the plant in last night because it was the first time it might get below freezing. Now I need to mention I have kittens. During their play time I made a point of putting the Gardenia on the fridge so the kittens couldn't get to it. Apparently next time I will need to hide things in a safe. One of the kittens did get to the plant and pulled the leaves off. There is one tiny leaf left on a stem and the other stem has none, but the stem is alive. Is there any chance this Gardenia could survive? It has special meaning to me because it came from my husband's grandmother's yard. Thanks for any suggestions.

From: Seattle | Registered: Nov 2005 | IP: Logged

Bill
The Garden Helper

posted

If there is a single healthy leaf there is always hope for a recovery, so don't give up.
Even though most people don't think of a refrigerator as a source of heat, it is very warm and dry up there and the exact opposite of the environment (coolish and humid) that your Gardenia prefers, so I wouldn't put it there...

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/gardenia.htm

[kitty]

s can be such a problem sometimes!

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From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002 | IP: Logged

stonethegardener
Garden Helper

posted

Allow me to welcome you to the board...

I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune.

I think there's a chance the shrub could pull through barring other misfortune.

I'm not totally sure it wouldn't survive out in the yard, depending on how far south in MS you brought it from.

There are gardenias that die outside if they get frosted, but there are varieties that do fine in some cold.

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