Gardenia from Seeds

[muhammadimran7]

i have few seeds of Gardenia jasminoides. i want to know the process of sowing of these seeds. please guide

[Izhar]

Sow them in potting mix of pH below 7... from where you got the seeds?

[muhammadimran7]

thanks izhar sb
got these seeds from t&m. what should be the ingredients of potting mix and where should i place the pot e.g full sun, partial shade or complete shade etc.

[Izhar]

Peat moss, Compost, perlite 1:1:1 ratio.. after sowing and watering cover the pot with plastic sheet and keep in shade, remove the sheet after 4-5 days.. once germinated and first true leaves are formed, gradually bring them into full sun... water with ferrous sulfate solution (1 tsp in 1 litre water) every 15 days.. they have long roots so use a deep pot..

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

Is it any different from Gardenia Florida easily available here.

[Izhar]

Sir, seed grown plants are different in one or more aspects from parents, I am growing these from seeds also in hope to have some different Gardenia jasminoides available here.. moreover, the easily available local gardenia (variegated & plain both) has low fragrance compared to Gardenia from Thailand.. I got a Gardenia from Cambodia which has a bigger flower and fragrance with hint of ripe apple...

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

You are right.
Arif

[muhammadimran7]

Peat moss, Compost, perlite 1:1:1 ratio.. after sowing and watering cover the pot with plastic sheet and keep in shade, remove the sheet after 4-5 days.. once germinated and first true leaves are formed, gradually bring them into full sun... water with ferrous sulfate solution (1 tsp in 1 litre water) every 15 days.. they have long roots so use a deep pot..

thanks Izhar sb
what is the alternate of ferrous sulfate? can i use magnesium sulfate, zinc sulfate, aluminum sulfate instead of ferrous sulfate. 25kg bag of Chinese ferrous sulfate is available at the cost of 900/- another packet of 1kg is available at the cost of 3500/- what is the difference and which one should i buy.

[Izhar]

Due to high pH of our water supplies the iron present in soil becomes unavailable to acid loving plants like gardenia so we have to give extra iron in soil so the plant could absorb it and dont become victim of cholorosis.

Iron deficiency can be cured/prevented only by providing Iron compounds. Ferrous sulphate has dual advantage, it provides extra iron as well as the sulphate ion remaining in the soil slightly acidifies the soil. Iron chelates are also used and their advantage is that they are used in very small quantities compared to Iron sulphate (Ferrous sulphate).

Ferrous sulphate is available in Karachi @ Rs.80-Rs.100/Kg. You can use cheapest available in market without letting your plants know about it.

If you intent to plant gardenias in ground in future, start preparing the soil now by using sulphur powder @ 1Kg/sq. meter mixed in top six inches of soi. It takes 5-6 months to acidify the soil and keeps it acidic for the years to come.

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

Ferous sulphate lowers PH faster than sulphur, You can use cheapest available in market without letting your plants know about it (IMPORTANT).