Question
Hi I have a indoor gardenia plant that looks great. It gets real nice buds but right when they look like they are going to pop open they trun black and fall off. I mist this plant several times a month, I feed it miracid. Got any thoughts about this problem?

Answer
Rae,

Common causes for bud drop include low humidity, over-watering, under-watering, insufficient light, high temperatures, rapid temperature fluctuations, cold drafts or change in plant locations. In other words, gardenias are temperamental!
It may not be getting enough light. Gardenias like full sun. A gardenia plant must never dry out, nor must the soil, which encloses its roots, remain too wet. Between these two conditions lies the happy medium, which spells success. Bottom. watering, then emptying of any water left in the saucer is the safest procedure. Foliage should receive a daily spraying or the plant should be placed on a humidity tray.
Good luck.

Darlene