| I live in South Florida and have a gardenia bush that has gotten too large for it's current location. It finished blooming in late May. Is it okay to transplant it, and if so, when? I love my gardenias and do not want to risk losing the bush. |
| The summer months are not the best times to dig and transplant gardenias. I'd wait until the weather cools this fall to make the move. Expect the roots to be in the top 24" of soil and spread out to the tips of the longest branches. It's okay to sever a few of the smaller roots but you'll want to try and keep the rootmass intact as much as possible. I find digging easier in moist soil so water the area well the day before the move. When you replant, be sure it will be resting at the same soil level as it was before, and water it in well to help settle the soil and encourage new root growth. Even when you take great care with the digging and transplanting you should expect some transplant shock. Wilting and an overall unhealthy look can follow the transplanting but in 2-3 weeks your gardenia should perk up and begin growing again. Best wishes with the move. |
