I've rooted in buckets set in shade.& behind the house is EAST.I'd guess the rain keeps the water fresh& then I planted them out.The ones I did 2 yrs ago that didn't
flower this last year flowered this year& those same ones added branching also this year.the tip of original branch is what bloomed.i'd say the
flowers are size of half-dollar.I stripped the leaves also.I didn't do rooting hormone as I rooted in water.I also rooted a branch recently that the dog chewed off.Its in glass jar with tomato start.No roots yet,but its getting new leaves(has 3 nodes underwater...where pulled leaves off)
in a way they have grown the same as hygrandea cuttings i've done& would hope they spread the same in 3rd year.My 3rd yr hygrandea has 4 stems now and those 4 stems are bushy(abuse...hubby..weedeater...dog) its
growing its buds now.
back to gardenias.I think most need the right climate.liquid rooting hormones i've used have been clear& one was a pale yellow.I'd track my friend down or leave her a note to call about the blue.I hear about everyone haveing problems with them,but i've been lucky.I get a few yellow leaves when we get too much rain.hows your winter temps?My lowest is 20s& a few teens sometimes,but not very long,we can still climb into the 60s in winter for the day.I'm close enough to the coast to stay humid 80% of the year also.