Ligustrum / Gardenia in South Florida?

codefighta

Hello,

I just relocated to the Ft Lauderdale area and last week my wife got me two bonsai trees for my birthday from two different online stores. One of them is a gardenia and the other a ligustrum (has not arrived yet). I have spent all morning researching how to care for the trees and am now more confused than before.

I have figured out what temperature zone I am in, but have only found conflicting or no information on whether any of the two trees will be able to survive here. The two plants were purchased because the stores claimed that they can be held as "indoor" trees, but I have since found out that there really is no such thing as an "indoor" tree.

The gardenia has been kept inside since it arrived a week ago at a western window and about 1/4 of its leaves have turned yellow and are beginning to fall off. I have only watered it once because the soil was quite moist when it arrived. I moved it outside today in hopes that it will recover in better lighting conditions.
Q: Is a gardenia suited for my location? If so, should I keep it inside or outside?

The Ligustrum has not arrived yet, but I am quite worried that it will not do well since it is being shipped from NY where it is really cold right now and here the temps are in the 70's.
Q: Same as with the gardenia, can it be grown in the climate her in Ft Lauderdale (I am not close to the beach = no salt water spray)?

Thanks
hgg

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Bone-sigh

Hi!
I live in central florida, zone 9b, I don't personally have any experience with gardenia, but I know of people who grow them here with no problem. Definitely keep both trees outdoors. Better there than the "dark" "desert" like environment of your home!
You can bring them indoors occasionally but I would not do it for extended periods of time. Hope this helps!
Ryan

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codefighta

Thanks Bone-sigh,

The gardenia seems to be doing better now (no more yellow leaves) since it has been outside. The ligustrum arrived two days ago and seems to be doing ok (just was a bit dry when it arrived).

cf