Gardenia Bonsai

This shrub comes from the Mediterranean Coast, Southern Europe, Northern Africa and Western Asia. His best-known name is Cape Jasmine. It has an intense white flowers. Other species of Jasmine may have yellow and pink. Its leaves are shiny and blackfruits. Very useful for bonsai because of its intense flowering. Some species of jasmine are deciduous, their leaves fall in winter. Other Varieties: J. nudiflorum (yellow flower), J. angularis (white flower), J.beesianum (pink flower), J. capense, J. humile among others.

Despite the fact that "Gardenia" grows 4-8 feet tall and extends to about 6 feet wide, It can be grown easily for Bonsai purposes if the basic instructions on how to take care of this plant are followed correctly. Weather conditions to assist in the growth of this plant are not very rigid and can grow in part shade or in part sun. These plants need plenty of light, humidity and warm atmosphere. So keeping these few requirements, gardenias can grow both within environments such as indoor plants or outdoor environment.

If you need more information about Bonsai see my other Hub: How to Care Bonsai

There are two things we need to know to water a bonsai: How and how often.
Watering a Bonsai is watering all the land that is inside the vessel.Put fresh water above the earth across the surface until it begins to leave the holes beneath the vessel.
In the heat can also wet the foliage and branches.
The frequency depends mainly on the size of the vessel and weather conditions such as temperature and humidity. Usually vessels up to 30 cm in length and / or very shallow pots should be watered every day when the humidity is low and temperatures above 20oC.
Beware of extremes: On hot days (above 30oC) shower twice a day. On very cold days (below 15oC) shower every two days.
Vessels larger than 30 cm, usually the frequency of watering is less, but be careful, usually a bonsai is not more than two days without water.
The trees in general do not like a lot of moisture in the ground. So often we water the bonsai only when the soil of the pot is almost dry.
Worth much our "constant observation", both the climate and soil humidity. Verification of the moisture of the earth can be done easily by touching the earth with their fingers.
The vaporization of the leaves is only required when the humidity is low. In this situation it is appropriate that we take only a spray on the leaves the shadow instead of drinking water, at least three times a day. Another important function when the vaporization is done on the fine roots exposed in some certain styles (eg "Exposed Root", "Root over Rock" and others). It is also important in the cultivation of moss that, if used, should not occupy more than half the land surface of the bonsai, so that "breathe." The moss should be sprinkled lightly around three times a day without the earth to soak the bonsai.

From spring to autumn growth Gardenia is intense and it makes the water consumption in this period is abundant. In winter, the consumption is moderate. Gardenia does not like soggy soils, but in the summer watering should be constant.

It can be grown in shade or sun. During the warmer weather, protect the gardenia jasminoides, keeping it in a shadow. You can prune the plant with scissors in pots or in the environment when it is free. Make sure to prune the plant after flowering, which is after the summer. Instead, you put out the buds that would bloom during the flowering period.

We all eat every day, food is essential to live. The plants feed on the nutritive salts that draw from the soil. Because they live in small pots bonsai, the tree can consume all nutrients from the soil after a while, then we have to go replacing these nutrients through fertilizers. You have to fertilize especially in times of high plant growth and fertilization should be done this without exaggeration.It's much better to fertilize in small amounts more often than doing it occasionally in large quantities. We recommend using products with great provenance and clear instructions for use.
For beginners we suggest a very simple fertilization using castor oil meal and bone meal, which are easily found in supermarkets.These can be used separately when a bimonthly frequency, ie, using castor-oil in January, I will only fertilize again in March with bone meal. And so we will have six annual applications.
Always use the recommended dosages. If there is no indication for assaying for the bonsai, use half the recommended dose for small vessels.
Have a better and more balanced fertilization can be achieved easily with good quality products found in stores. Always follow a vocational guidance.
The Gardenia Bonsai should not be fertilized before a month of his transplant. Best times for fertilization is the spring. Never fertilize plants or newly transplanted patients. Avoid fertilizing during periods of intense flowering. Fertilizers are the most suitable organic rich in phosphorus (P), being a foliar liquid fertilizers or solid on earth. As a suggestion for traces of chemical fertilizers choice proportion of NPK (nitrogen - phosphorus - potassium) in the order of 04-14-08. Do not forget that at least once a year is needed for fertilization with micro-nutrients (Ca} {Calcium, Magnesium Mg {}, {S} sulfur, boron {B}, Cl, Cu, Co, Fe ...).