Question
I live in central Alabama.    New leaves on gardenia are turning yellow with  brownish spots on leafs.  any suggestions as to what treatment is needed.?
These are gardenia shrubs.
jmc

Answer
Hello Jimmy


How long have you had this plant?  Is your soil acid?  Gardenia hates a lime (alkaline) soil and simply wont grow well under those conditions.

If you have had the plant a while and it is in the ground (rather than a pot) you could try using a sulpher treatment around the plant.  This can be obtained from a garden center - be sure to follow the instructions carefully.  Mulching around the plant with shredded conifer bark will also help to acidify the soil.

If the plant is in a pot, it may be time to repot it into fresh lime-free compost.  Feed the plant with a liquid fertilizer formulated for acid loving plants and use rain water when watering.

I hope this helps

Gill