Question
I purchased a gardenia at Trader Joes.  Truly an impulse purchase, but I love Gardenias and can't wait to see it bloom.

I transplanted it into a larger pot, use azalea fertilizer, and watch the buds turn into beautiful leaves.  No blooms yet, but it's growing greenery like crazy!  

The problem is, I go outside to water and talk to it, and something is eating the leaves - especially the new growth.  There's no black stuff on the plant, no sticky substance, no clue as to what could be munching on my plant's leaves!

We live in south western Ohio - I think zone 6.  I know I will have to bring the gardenia in for the winter. Do you have any suggestions about that?  I have an enclosed porch (unheated) and I have a heated garage with a grow light.  The pot is huge, so I don't really want to bring the gardenia inside the house.  

Thanks so much!

Julia

Answer
Julia,
The ordinary pests that attack Gardenias are sucking insects such as aphids and mites, it is very rare that chewing insects such as canker worm or gypsy moth will feed on it.
What does the damage look like? are the leaves chewed or just browning out? I would recommend that you check the inside of the plant for mealy bugs and the undersides of the leaves for whitefly. Caterpillars or weevils are possibilities for the chewed leaves. Pesticides would be required to control the populations of these insects.
As for the winter, I feel the enclosed porch would be satisfactory to protect it over the winter.
Limit the use of fertilizer- this causes heavy top growth which encourages insect feeding.
Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen