A few weeks ago, my daughter sent me a gardenia bonsai, “Just because I love you, Mom.” What a lovely surprise it was, and I stood it in my kitchen, read the instructions and waited for the buds to come out. I was supposed to mist it daily, keep the pebbles moist in the tray and make sure not to water it too much. Not that difficult really. My daughter was disappointed when she saw the photo, because in the brochure, it showed a bright red pot with many flowers already blooming.
I followed the instructions religiously, but all that happened was that a couple of buds fell off. Then I had the bright idea to stand it outside in the humidity instead of inside in the air conditioning. Light bulb moment! The very next day, my first flower started to appear and now it’s looking gorgeous.
The fragrance is wonderful and takes me back to when I was a teenager in the 60’s. For Christmas, my very favourite aunt bought me my first bottle of perfume, which was ‘Gardenia’ by Goya. I can still remember how excited I was when I opened the bottle and dabbed a couple of drops behind my ears.
Tonight we’re going to see the fabulous Judy Carmichael performing at one of our local theatres. I wish I could play piano just like her. Tomorrow evening, we have dinner and dancing here at the club, so that should be fun too. Wishing you all a very happy weekend.
anotherdayinparadise 
So that’s how to grow gardenias. We have only ever tried them outside and without any success. It was a real light bulb moment 🙂
I’m still holding my breath. There are two more flowers and still a few buds. 🙂
It is a gorgeous flower Sylvia! I had 2 tree in my garden where we lived previously!
Thanks, Aletta. We tried to grow one in Umhlanga, with little success. Maybe it didn’t like the sea air.
We lived in Eshowe about a 100 km away from Umhlanga.
I love gardenias, I carried them when my husband and I were married. I have two large bushes in our yard and they are loaded with buds and should be blooming any day. If you are going to be gone for a couple of months, I’d plant your gardenia.
How lovely your wedding bouquet must have been, Karen. My gardenia is a bonsai so I’m not sure how it would fare in the garden, besides which, I’m sure the Iguanas would eat those buds in a jiffy. 😳
Such a beautiful flower and very thoughtful daughter! How clever of you to figure out the best way to make the Gardenia happy! 😀
Thanks Gunta. When someone buys you a house plant it’s almost like getting a pet. You have to really look after it and make sure it doesn’t die. I remember when our son was into keeping silk worms in a shoe box and they all died whilst he was away at school summer camp. 😳 We had to scout around to find some more so he wouldn’t know what had happened. 😅
Oh, I can smell it…..ahhhhhhh…..Have fun dancing the night away!
I love gardenia – flowers and scent! What a lovely present. 🙂
Have a great weekend.
Thanks so much, Lynette. You too. 😃
What a difference that made.. It is really beautiful.. 😉
Yes, it did. I was getting worried. 😅
I love Gardenias, and they really don’t love it in Canberra (not enough humidity!) but I just manage to coax two plants along every year.
Well done. Mine definitely won’t thrive indoors. Makes me wonder what the constant aircon here in Florida is doing to me. Am I also shriveling up like the buds that fell off? 😳
Aircon is better than the alternative!
True.
So lovely story – how the flower / plant came to you and how you wonderfully get it to bloom and the actual flower!
Thanks so much, YC. Have a wonderful weekend. 😃
The scent of gardenias in the evening is always beautiful.
Well done. You might as well let the humidity do the misting
It seems to be the answer, Derrick. 🤗
Great flower plus dinner and dancing? Life is good.
janet
Yes, it is . Thanks, Janet.
So cute of your daughter.Your bonsai will gives you a great feeling of happiness
Thanks, Marylou. She’s such a darling. 👩❤️👩
What a lovely idea your daughter had. Also good idea on your part to take it outside for some of that lovely heat and humidity.
Thanks, Sue. My daughter does spoil me. We received wine and chocolates the following day. 🙂 Yes, the gardenia is much happier on my table outside. I hope it will survive whilst we’re away for a couple of months.
You are a genius gardener, Sylvia! What a beautiful flower! Sounds like your weekend will be lots of fun 🙂
Haha……..I wouldn’t quite say “genius”, but I’m rather pleased that I found the solution. 🙂
how sweet of your daughter, Sylvia. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see it blossoming and brought you fond memories. sounds like a fun weekend ahead. enjoy! 🙂
Thanks so much, Lola. Yes, my sweet daughter was very happy to see my photo this morning. I’m looking forward to the the show tonight and dinner tomorrow. 🙂
The flower is really beautiful.
Yes, it is and it smells wonderful. 🙂
I believe so.
What a beautiful flower.
Thanks, Colline. It’s exquisite. 🙂
Beautiful! Love the smell of gardenia blossoms.
Have a fun time tonight and tomorrow.
Thanks so much, Nancy.
Love Gardenias! Glad to see yours blossoming in the sun! What a thoughtful daughter.
Thanks, Lisa. Yes, I’m so fortunate to have such a loving daughter. 😳