Why are some of the leaves on my young (2 ft) gardenia turning brown? It has not yet bloomed.?

Gardenias are a royal pain and require very careful attention at all times during their lifetime.





This is probably a soil problem. It's either getting too much fertilizer and getting "burned", or it's not getting enough of one or more nutrients that it needs. Or, it could be getting too much or too little water. Gardenias need to be kept moist, but they also need good drainage.





I would take a cutting of the damage to a local nursery or agricultural station (college or university) for a more acceptable diagnosis. It's hard to tell what this might be without actually seeing it up close.