Question
Hi, I have 2 Gardenia plants (potted this summer) and indoors now in my morning room.  They have a deep, healthy green and buds.  When I planted them, I used rocks in the bottom to ensure well drained soil and the pots are on a tray of rocks so that the water can drain well.  I have been watering about every 10-14days and the water drains completely through the pot.  I do empty the excess water in the trays and only leave a little for humidity.  

My problem is that everytime I water my plants, some of the leaves turn yellow for days and finally slow down.  Some of my buds start to fall off when they are just ready to bloom.  So, I try to not to water so often and now I have spider mites because of the dry conditions.

Can you help me?  I love these flowers and really would like to make them blossum.

Answer
Chaminie,

Yes, raise the pots up out of the drain trays on stones so they cannot reabsorb the water from the drain tray. Or put a larger tray of water under the drain tray for humidity and empty the drain tray totally. It is the heat that is bringing the mites along with the dryness. Don't keep them too dry, just empty the drain tray right after watering. Set bukets of water in the room to evaporate and keep the air moist. Spray the plants with rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle to kill the mites and turn the heat down. Keep it in the low 50's at night and around 65 degrees during the day. That should stop the bud dropping. Good luck.

Darlene