Tahitian gardenia, or the flower of the tiare tree, is one of the most impeccable plants created by nature. Tiare - flowers of the same name shrub that grows on the islands of Polynesia. Incredibly delicate, fragile, snow-white flowers are the symbol of the island of Tahiti known throughout the world.
The aroma of Tahitian gardenia is difficult to describe, its smell is unique and impeccable. This is the perfect fragrance of nature - soft and multifaceted, refined and indescribably beautiful. In short, the tiare flower is flawless! To prove the beauty of Gardenia, the Tahitian photo is presented below.
Some facts
The indigenous inhabitants of Tahiti have a special culture of attitude towards this marvelous plant. It is customary to use it as a decoration, and quite informative. If a girl attaches the absolute flower of Gardenia of the Tahitian (tiara) to her right ear, it means that she is free from any obligations and ready for a new relationship, a betrothed or married woman attaches the gardenia to her left ear. There is another variation of wearing a tiara - on both sides. This suggests that the person is married, but will not be against new adventures. This decoration is worn by men, only the flower should be undisclosed, that is, a bud.
Tahitian gardenia in perfumery
Of course, this flower is widely used in the creation of perfumes, in aromatherapy and medicine. Perfume with a tiare aroma has a wonderful sensual sound, which fascinates from the first moments of acquaintance.
Essential oil obtained from Tahitian gardenia is a very expensive product. The cost is due to the fact that on a low tree per year only a few inflorescences grow, which are unopened by hand. Monoi de Tahiti care product is also made from tiare flowers: they are immersed in refined coconut oil, which after a certain time draws in their sweet and sophisticated aroma.
Gardenia at home
This gentle beauty is very thermophilic and finicky, which is explained by the southern origin. That is why any drafts, cold and dry environment, sharp temperature jumps are categorically contraindicated to her.
At home, grow low bushes with dark green decorative leaves up to 50 cm high. Tahitian gardenia blooms from mid-summer to October, at which time the flowerpot is like a bride who is decorated with velvet snow-white flowers. They can be single or collected in small inflorescences. The fragrance of a tiara at home is very gentle, amazing. It resembles the intoxicating aroma of jasmine - a bit intoxicating, but at the same time sophisticated.
How to care for a tiara flower?
It should be noted right away that Tahitian gardenia in care is incredibly finicky, any factor affects the growth and maturation of the bush. A bad attitude towards him is reflected immediately.
- Temperature condition. In the spring-summer period, the temperature in the room should be about 23 degrees, in winter - 17-18. The change of regime and drafts are destructively reflected in the flourishing beauty. If you put the bush in the heating season to the battery, then the kidneys will not form.
- Lighting Gardenia needs a lot of light, but direct sunlight is unacceptable, they can destroy it. The best option is a windowsill on the east or west side.
Gardenia soil
Gardenia has a fibrous rhizome with many small roots, which feels most favorable in loose soil. When preparing the mixture for the flowerpot, it is necessary to add sand with peat and turf soil in the same proportions. The soil for the plant should be acidic or slightly acidic. To improve the finished store composition, you can add sphagnum or perlite.
How to water?
The mixture in the flowerpot must always be kept moist, but without stagnation of water. It is necessary to carry out systematic spraying, as the Tahitian gardenia prefers top irrigation with uniform wetting of the soil. For irrigation use boiled or rain water at room temperature. In winter, the irrigation system should be changed to a smaller side, but do not allow the soil to dry out. Lemon juice is used for acidification, it is taken a few drops per liter of water. Acidification of the soil is necessary every third watering.
Gardenia transplant
The young bush should be replanted annually, and adults with good care - in the third year. Tahitian gardenia is transplanted into a brand new pot with a drainage layer, if necessary, you can add new soil. In no case should you pick off the rhizome, so take out the plant with extreme caution. After planting, irrigation is performed with water with a stimulant.
Fertilizers
To stimulate gardenia growth and flowering, various acidic fertilizers should be used, including a combination of trace elements recommended for azaleas and other plants. Once a week, the flowerpot is sprayed with a composition of mineral fertilizers in a small concentration. In winter, gardenia prefers leaving with the use of potassium sulfate and iron chelates, these elements must be supplied to the plant by top spraying.
Disease
There are various gardenia diseases:
- Flying around the leaves from the bush. Most often this is caused by a malfunction of the temperature regime, poor lighting, as well as dampness.
- Darkening foliage. The plant can turn black from over-dried or, conversely, too moist soil.
- Yellowing leaflets. Signals the need to reduce the amount of watering or the presence of drafts.
All these signs can also indicate an excess of lime and chlorine in the soil, a lack of nitrogen fertilizers, or inadequate lighting.
Gardenia propagation
There are several ways to propagate indoor gardenia:
Growing a gardenia flower from seeds is a rather troublesome task, requiring a lot of time, and the result is not always happy. Gardenia does not grow from old seeds that have lost germination. How to prepare the seeds?
- Before planting, they are soaked in stimulants from a mixture of Zircon and aloe juice.
- Sprinkle the seeds on top with a layer of soil (about 0.5 cm).
- Then carefully pour the soil with water and cover the pot with a film to create greenhouse conditions.
- The container is periodically ventilated for several hours.
Shoots appear in about a month.
Propagation by cuttings
The process of breeding by cuttings is as follows:
- After flowering, the plant must be trimmed, shortening the shoots by 2/3. Of the almost lignified cuttings obtained, whose length is 10 cm, self-cultivation of gardenia is carried out.
- The soil for the plant is prepared from a mixture of sand and peat in equal proportions.
- The shoots must be soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate, then planted in a pot and covered with a film, thus creating a small greenhouse.
To accelerate the appearance of roots before planting, the tips of the cuttings should be dipped in a solution of "Heteroauxin" or "Epina".
Plant care at home is to water, ventilate and maintain a temperature of about 25 degrees.
Gardenia Winter
Gardenia hibernation lasts about a month and a half. At this time, you should stop feeding and reduce the amount of watering, while the lighting should be the same. During dormancy, drafts and root hypothermia should be excluded.
The temperature in the room where the gardenia overwinters should be about +17 degrees. These are ideal conditions for the formation of flower buds.