How does one get a gardenia plant to flower?

My plant is about 5 years old, it had flowers when new, but none has budded since. What to do?
How does one get a gardenia plant to flower?
Gardenias are extremely finicky lil' bastards.





You'll need nightly low temperatures STEADILY AND UNCHANGING in the the 55-65 range.





Bright light is essential...but if the plant is young protect it from noon to 3...maybe under a tree or something. Daytime highs should not exceed 85 ever.





Be very careful not to over water. Gardenias are somewhat "high input", but do not particularly like wet feet.





Fertilize heavily and continually, maybe flushing out the pot ever six weeks with tons of water. Provide alot of fertilizer though, steadily and continually





Proper feeding, watering and an even temperature range will give you the best chance. But be warned Gardenia's are considerably harder than the dreaded orchids to get to flower.
Reply:I live in a warm temperate area (Zone 9) in Australia. Every second house has gardenias here flowering away with gusto.





I have to disagree with some comments already made regarding the vital necessity of of the right conditions, even non gardeners grow them easily.





You don't mention how much sun the plant gets. Semi sun seems to work well here. No afternoon sun - too hot, but you could probably give it more if you live in a very cool climate.





According to my garden books they need well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil. They are surface rooted and need regular mulching, fertilizer and adequate summer watering.





The soil requirement can't be that strict as they are growing them here in slightly alkaline soil. It is very dry here and the plants that are successful are only getting regular garden watering (I would suggest deep watering). They are frost tender but my area gets down to 20deg F and near buildings they are growing well. It also gets to 95 deg f most days of summer and sometimes 105 deg F so I don't think temperature effects them that badly either.





I think a good fertilize, regular water when needed and perhaps a move to more sunny or less sunny position depending on what conditions it is planted in now, in spring wouldn't hurt. Don't overfertilize it will only burn your plant.
Reply:Okay, I am going to guess at this, as I had a gardenia plant, and it flowered just once, and had only one blossom, this was right after I moved it outside last spring (I bought it in the winter). I had it in a pot, and unfortunately it died in the fall. As I have been planting seeds this spring for different kinds of flowers, on the back of the seed packets it gives all of this information about what kind of soil the plants need and what not. So, try checking the soil and water requirements for your gardenia, and maybe that will help. Good Luck!
Reply:Buy a slightly bigger pot-measure straight across %26amp; also how tall the pot is, try for just an inch or 2 larger; buy peat moss-this is acidic, %26amp; moisture retaining potting soil-Miracle Grow has these in a large ziplock-like bag. Acid-loving plants like gardenias %26amp; azaleas have their own special plant fertilizer, it usually just lists as "for azaleas %26amp; others", get the 1 with chelated iron. Two thirds potting soil mixed with 1 third of the peat moss, it's somewhat pressed, just crumble it with your hands. Try not to break any of the branches, lay the gardenia in the old pot on its side (only if in plastic pot) %26amp; gently press the sides of the pot; grab the gardenia right where it comes out of the soil %26amp; pull. Put it where the sunrise will hit it %26amp; afternoon shade or dappled sun in the evenings.affiliate