Question
Hi,
My daughter sent a gardenia pant to me for Mother's Day. I received it 3 days ago and the leaves were glossy green with several buds. Today, I found it wilting as though it is dying. I have it in a brightly lit room, b/c it's too warm outside. My central air  runs ~70degrees. The soil is moist. I have no idea what happened to it. Please help. This was my Mother's Day gift!

Answer
Tina,

I suspect it is too wet. These plants grow outside in semi sunny locations in the south. The heat does not bother it as much as the low humidity in the air conditioning. Too much sun will bother it outside or too little sun indoors. You said it is in a bright room. Indoors it needs to be sitting next to a south facing window that has drapes open all day long.

Too much water is a major problem. It must be in a pot with a drainage hole and when it is outside the drain tray should be removed so it is never sitting in standing water. Indoors the drain tray should be emptied an hour after watering so the roots do not begin to rot from sitting in standing water.

There are fact sheets on growing gardenias at the following sites:
http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/gardenia.html

http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Gardenia_Plant_Care

http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Gardenia_Plant_Carehttp://www.gardeningtipsnid...

If you have more questions I need to know what city you live in. Good luck with your gardenia.

Darlene