How to Plant Orange Trees by Gardenias
Orange blossom and gardenia scents make a lovely combination. If you're thinking that you can enrich the soil underneath your container or garden orange tree with a small gardenia shrub, you're not alone. Be careful that dropping oranges don't crush your gardenia blossoms, and expect to lose some flowers when heavy winds or storms cause your tree to drop fruit. For best results, plant your orange tree and then add gardenias underneath its canopy. The plant's smaller roots won't compete with your tree for resources.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Orange tree seedling
- Small gardenia shrub
- Potting soil
- Water
- Shovel
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1
Find a full sun location for your orange tree. The tree will not produce fruit as quickly if you plant it in the sun. If you have limited sun, consider planting in a container that you can move around when needed.
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2
Prepare a hole that is twice as wide as the sapling's root ball. Remove all debris, such as twigs or rocks, from the site.
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3
Remove your orange sapling from its plastic container. Gently massage the root ball with your fingers.
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4
Place the tree in the hole and cover the roots loosely with dirt. The soil will compact when you water it.
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5
Determine where you would like to place the gardenia shrub and prepare a hole for your plant. You can plant the gardenia underneath the orange canopy or choose to place them side by side.
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6
Place the gardenia shrub in the hole you created. Cover over with soil.
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7
Water the entire planting area thoroughly. Plan to water weekly for the first month to help your new plants get adjusted. Afterward, water only when the area's topsoil is dry.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use potting soil to enrich the natural resources of your garden soil.
Buy a gardenia shrub that is smaller than your orange tree so that they do not compete for natural resources.
