First of all, tell your husband that the "I told you so" is completely unnecessary and just plain rude. If he wants to make you miserable, then by all means, keep it up. He should be supportive of all your efforts no matter how small and he should certainly encourange you to do things that make you smile. I'm sorry if that sounds a bit harsh... I could not tell whether or not you were joking but I'm seriously so ill at the number of women who are mentally beaten by the men they love....
Remember that this is an "outdoor"
plant and is not normally kept inside. Don't worry about the buds just yet. It's very early in the season for them to bloom. They can stay on the
plants at seemingly full size for 6 months and I've heard as long as a year before blooming. The yellow leaves could be anything... could just be the season but more than likely, it's some sort of deficiency. Iron deficiency shows when the leaves are yellow but veins are green. I've never seen an acid deficiency so I can't be sure.
I seriously doubt that your problems were caused by the particular window you had the
plant in or by dryness in the air. In fact, I think that if you water your
plant often, you can do away with your humidity water. DO NOT let the
plant stand in water. It hates that. But please move it to where it gets more light. I would even pull the curtain back a bit and see what happens, as long as it's shaded from afternoon/evening sun at the hottest time of the year.
Gardenias are VERY picky and moody. Yes, that's right... I said MOODY.
They supposedly like a lot of tender care, acidic soil and sun. Here in LA, specifically morning sun. However, I've been told they don't like their roots wet (no standing in water), can freak out when you add acid and scorch in the sun and only bloom when you yell or scream at it daily, totally neglect it, don't look directly at it or sacrifice a chicken during a voodoo ritual and amend the earth with its blood mingled with yours so that the gardenia god is placated.....
It seems that every
plant is different. I moved mine around until I found a spot it likes. It will likely go in the ground there this year.
So, here's the advice part. They are difficult at times so don't feel like you did bad job if it dies. I mixed pine needles in with my soil last year (acid) and mine bloomed well. I will have to use an acid supplement this year. I'm told a product called Muracid works well. I think
roses like this too.
Earwigs and ants LOVE the sweet stuff. I've had a heck of a time keeping them off. Also I've heard a lot of gardenias easily get iron deficiency. I
plant to find a supplement this year as well.
Good luck.
