Origin
Gardenia vogelii Hook.f. ex Planch. var. seretii (De Wild.) L.Pauwels is a flowering plant that belongs to the Rubiaceae family. It is native to Central and West Africa and can be found in countries such as Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, and Congo.
Common Names
The plant is commonly known as the Sereti Gardenia or African Gardenia. In Cameroon, it is called Njansang, while in Gabon, it is known as Moukillo.
Uses
The Sereti Gardenia is widely used in African traditional medicine. The plant's bark, seeds, and leaves are used to prepare medicine to treat several ailments, including fever, diarrhea, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The plant's seeds are also used as a spice and a thickening agent in the preparation of several African dishes, including soups and puddings.
General Appearance
This plant is a shrub or small tree that can grow up to 10 meters tall. The bark is brown and rough, and the leaves are glossy green and elliptical in shape. The plant produces fragrant white flowers that bloom in clusters between June and August. The fruit is a berry that is green when unripe and turns yellow when mature. Each berry contains several seeds that are dark brown and oblong in shape.
Light Requirements
Gardenia vogelii Hook.f. ex Planch. var. seretii (De Wild.) L.Pauwels thrive best in partial to full shade. The plant requires bright and filtered sunlight, preferably in the morning and evening when the sun rays are not too harsh. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it can cause damage to the plant.
Soil Requirements
The Gardenia vogelii Hook.f. ex Planch. var. seretii (De Wild.) L.Pauwels plant thrives best in well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter. The soil should be acidic, with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5, to ensure optimal growth. The plant is sensitive to salt and therefore, it is recommended to use soil that is low in salt content.
Temperature Requirements
Gardenia vogelii Hook.f. ex Planch. var. seretii (De Wild.) L.Pauwels prefers warm and humid conditions. The plant grows well in temperatures ranging from 20-30°C. It is important to note that this plant cannot tolerate extreme temperatures and frost. Therefore, it should be protected from frost during the cold season.
Cultivation Methods:
Gardenia vogelii Hook.f. ex Planch. var. seretii (De Wild.) L.Pauwels thrives best in a well-drained, fertile soil that is slightly acidic or neutral with a pH range of 4.5-7.0. It requires a warm and humid environment with bright but indirect sunlight. The plant can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or layering. For better results, use a rooting hormone, and keep the cutting moist and warm until it roots.
Watering Needs:
Gardenia vogelii Hook.f. ex Planch. var. seretii (De Wild.) L.Pauwels requires frequent watering to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Water the plant evenly and adequately, especially during the summer, but reduce watering during winter. Watering too much or too little could damage the roots.
Fertilization:
The plant needs regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Use a slow-release, granular fertilizer, and apply it during the growing season, from spring to early fall. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this could lead to yellowing of the leaves or damage to the roots of the plant.
Pruning:
Prune Gardenia vogelii Hook.f. ex Planch. var. seretii (De Wild.) L.Pauwels annually in spring or immediately after flowers have faded. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged wood. Pinch back the tips of new growth to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Also, prune any crossing branches or branches that are growing inward to provide ample light, air, and space for the plant.
Propagation of Gardenia vogelii Hook.f. ex Planch. var. seretii (De Wild.) L.Pauwels
Gardenia vogelii Hook.f. ex Planch. var. seretii (De Wild.) L.Pauwels can be propagated both by seeds and vegetatively.
Propagation by Seeds
The preferred time for sowing seeds is the onset of the rainy season. The seeds are collected from ripe fruit and should be soaked in water for a day before sowing. They can be sown in seed beds or in pots filled with a mixture of topsoil, sand, and manure.
The seeds should be sown at a depth of about 1 cm and watered regularly. Germination occurs within 2 to 4 weeks, and the seedlings can be transplanted to their permanent location after they are 10 to 15 cm tall.
Vegetative Propagation
Gardenia vogelii Hook.f. ex Planch. var. seretii (De Wild.) L.Pauwels can be propagated vegetatively by stem cuttings or by layering.
To propagate by stem cuttings, select healthy stems from the parent plant, preferably those without flowers, and make 10 to 15 cm-long cuttings. Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone and plant them in a mixture of sand and topsoil. Keep the soil moist and warm, and the cuttings should root within 2 to 3 weeks.
For layering, select a low-growing branch from the parent plant and scrape off a 2 cm section of the bark. Dust the scraped area with rooting hormone and cover with moist soil. Keep the soil moist and warm, and roots should form within 2 to 3 months. Once the roots have formed, the new plant can be separated from the parent plant and transplanted to its permanent location.
Disease management:
Gardenia vogelii var. seretii is susceptible to certain diseases that can affect its growth and yield. Some common diseases that may affect this plant are:
- Leaf spot: Leaf spot is a fungal disease that affects the leaves of the gardenia plant, resulting in small, circular, brown spots. To manage this disease, remove all infected leaves and spray the plant with a fungicide that contains copper or sulfur.
- Rust: Rust is a fungal disease that appears on the leaves in the form of orange, powdery spots. To manage rust, prune the affected leaves and use fungicide sprays specifically meant for rust.
- Root rot: Root rot is a fungal disease that affects the roots, causing them to become mushy and decayed. To manage root rot, ensure proper soil drainage and avoid over-watering. Additionally, treat the affected plant with a fungicide containing either Thiophanate-methyl or Metalaxylm.
Pest management:
Gardenia vogelii var. seretii is also susceptible to pests, which can cause damage to the plant. Some common pests that may affect this plant are:
- Mealybugs: Mealybugs are pests that appear on the underside of leaves and along the stem of the plant. To manage mealybugs, wash the plant with a soap solution, or use insecticidal soap.
- Whiteflies: Whiteflies are insects that feed on the sap of the leaves, causing yellowing and wilting. To manage whiteflies, spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Also, using yellow sticky traps can reduce the number of whiteflies.
- Scale insects: Scale insects appear on the leaves and stems of the plant and suck the sap out of the plant. To manage scale insects, use an horticultural oil spray, or a neem oil spray. Additionally, use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to remove mature insects from the plant.
