Gardenias can be propagated through the following method: cut the branch down from the tip with pruners, about 5 inches; the stem should preferably be green at this end, called softwood. remove all but three leaves at the top with pruners. to encourage root growth, dip the bottom of the cut stem in root hormone. Loosen and clean the topsoil and mix in a generous amount of compost or rotted manure. 2. with a fork, dig down another 12 inches and loosen the soil. once the soil is loose, remove any roots, rocks, and debris, then incorporate a generous amount of compost or rotted manure into this second layer. 3.
Wait until the spring, when new growth has started developing at the end of the stems, and take an eight inch cutting using clean, sharp trimmers. make the cut at a 45 degree angle. remove all of the leaves except for the top two. cut these in half vertically to reduce the amount of tissue the cutting has to support. Sift the seeds through a fine strainer a couple of times, and then blow on them gently to remove the husks. the roots are also used in medicine, though less commonly. root harvest is best done in the fall, when the plants’ energy is directed downward, away from the leaves. just pull up a plant and gather the roots. Scroll down for container planting instructions. step 1. start by digging your planting hole at least two to three times as wide and no deeper than the root ball. the wider the hole the better. place native soil removed from planting hole around the perimeter of the hole, in a wheel barrow, or on a tarp. step 2. Cover the hole back up with soil. if you are using seeds, pack the soil back in the hole, making sure that it is firm but not totally compacted. if you are planting vegetable starts, push soil in all around the start, pressing the soil firmly so that the start stands firmly upright. 3. water your vegetables.
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